Understanding What a Violation of Human Rights Means
A human rights violation occurs when actions by state or non-state actors abuse, ignore or deny basic human rights laid out in foundational documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR establishes the freedoms and protections everyone deserves simply by being human. When these freedoms and protections are attacked or withheld, human rights violations occur (you can find out more about human rights, and the UDHR here).
Where are Human Rights Being Violated?
Violations exist in every part of the world. For example, some leaders are stopping fair elections, meaning people in a country can only vote for one person.
Unfortunately, human rights violations occur daily across the globe. Major human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch report on crises in specific countries and broader issues globally.
Our global report from 2021/22 contains insight into many of the countries where human rights are being abused. You can also see examples in our country pages for Afghanistan and Iran, as two examples.
Examples of Human Rights Violations
- Banning peaceful assembly. Making protests and demonstrations illegal or using excessive force to disperse them.
- Arbitrary detention. Everyone has a right to freedom from arbitrary or unlawful detention.
- Child marriage. This impedes the full realization of girls’ human rights, and violates their right to freely choose a spouse and enter into marriage by free and full consent.
- Persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals. Criminalizing same-sex relations or imposing severe penalties.
- Racial, ethnic, religious or gender discrimination. Denying basic rights based on a person’s identity is a human rights violation.
- Denial to the right of education.
- Suppression of free speech and media. This includes imprisoning journalists or activists for criticising the government or restricting access to information.
- Torture or any cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
Breaking Human Rights: Case Studies & Real-Life Instances
Alena
For protesting against violations of fundamental human rights like freedom of expression, assembly, and political participation, Alena was branded a ‘terrorist’ and sentenced to eight years in prison on fabricated charges.
Only through HRPF’s emergency assistance can Alena survive in her cold, dark prison cell. The support provided by our donors last year has also provided essential support her 8-year old son while she awaits release.
Read Alena’s story here.
Simmy*
Simply for being Christian and refusing to convert, Simmy was the victim of a brutal attack.
Read his story here and see the impact of a HRPF grant for the victims of human rights abuses.
*pseudonym used to protect his identity
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