Anne Frank was 15 years old when she died in a German concentration camp. Her story is just one of millions during the Holocaust, which was the genocide of six million Jews and millions of others during World War II. Human rights violations were so severe and widespread during the war, it led to the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document established the freedoms and protections everyone deserves simply by being human. When these freedoms and protections are attacked or withheld, human rights violations occur. In this article, we’ll give more specifics on what human rights violations are, as well as real-world examples, information on whose rights are threatened most and what you can do to stand against human rights violations.
The types of human rights violations: civil, political, economic, social and cultural
To understand human rights violations, you need some background on human rights. The International Bill of Human Rights (which consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) lays out your “negative” and “positive” rights. Civil and political rights are considered “negative,” while economic, social and cultural rights are “positive.”
What do we mean by “negative” and “positive?” Negative rights are a right to non-interference, meaning the State (and others) must not take certain actions against you. Most negative rights protect your individual freedoms, like the right to free expression, the right to freedom from discrimination, and the right to equality before the law. Interference and discrimination, like racism, excessive censorship and enslavement, violate your negative rights. Positive rights require States to provide certain services, goods, and treatment, like food, healthcare, safe housing and decent work. Your rights are violated when the State fails to either directly provide these essentials or ensure provision through another entity. Don’t get caught up with finding distinctions between these rights; they all matter. As the UN says, “the enjoyment of all human rights is interlinked.”
9 examples of human rights violations
Every human right can (and has been) violated at some point. Here are nine examples:
#1. Freedom of expression
The Chinese government violates freedom of expression by harassing and imprisoning activists, journalists and students under the guise of national security or managing “extremism.” In one case, Beijing drafted laws attempting to ban acts, speech and even clothing considered “detrimental or harmful to China’s spirit or sentiments.”
#2. Freedom from arbitrary arrest
The Assad regime in Syria was known for “disappearing” people in record numbers. In April 2024, The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported no fewer than 212 arbitrary arrests that month alone, including 12 children. The regime targeted media activists, local dignitaries, political activists and others who criticized the government, which violated human rights on a massive scale.
#3. Freedom from torture
Torture is common in Sri Lanka. According to the Asian Human Rights Commission, torture is the most common method of criminal investigation. Higher officers approve of torture and laws against torture are ignored. Between December 2023 and May 2024, hundreds of detained people were sent to abusive “rehabilitation” centers under the guise of addressing drug trafficking.
#4. Protection of children during conflict
Children are owed special protections, especially during war, but many States and militant groups use child soldiers. With its frequent civil wars, South Sudan persistently violates children’s rights by using thousands of kids as guards, cleaners, cooks, spies and sexual slaves.
#5. Right to healthcare
Everyone deserves accessible and affordable healthcare, but countries like Sierra Leone struggle to protect this right. A 2021 report from Amnesty International described a severe lack of mental health services for those suffering after the civil war and the Ebola epidemic. Stigma is a major barrier, but through public campaigns and increased support, Sierra Leone can make mental health a higher priority.
#6. Right to food
About 2 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition in Nigeria. Food aid provided by U.S.A.I.D. supported nonprofits, but when the Trump administration halted work in early 2025, food ran low quickly. If funds do not come back, the human rights and lives of millions of kids are at risk.
#7. Right to adequate housing
The United Kingdom is supposed to provide housing to people seeking asylum when they can’t pay for their own. However, according to a Human Rights Watch report, the government relies on “hostile” policies that house people on military bases, barges and deteriorating hotels, with no regard for the needs of people with disabilities. These policies violate the right to adequate housing and the rights owed to asylum-seekers.
#8. Right to education
Education is essential for human development, but many countries fail in their responsibilities to all students. In December 2024, a study revealed that South African students in no-fee public schools had very low test scores, while mostly white students paying high tuition fees performed much better. Apartheid’s legacy of racial segregation casts a long shadow and threatens the right to education in South Africa.
#9. The right to marry
Many countries extend the right to marry to same-sex couples, but Hungary went the other way in 2020 by amending the definition of family in its constitution. Family is now based on marriage in which the “mother is a woman, the father a man.” Other anti-gay legislation like the 2021 Propaganda Law, which bans the depiction of gay people from school materials and TV shows for kids under 18 years old, represents another human rights violation against LGBTQ+ people.
Whose human rights are violated most?
No one is immune from violations, but certain groups face more threats due to direct targeting or neglect. As the Belgian public institution The Federal Institute for Human Rights explains, economic, social, political and historical factors affect who suffers most globally and within specific areas. Marginalization can occur due to your:
- Gender
- Sexuality
- Nationality
- Race/ethnicity
- Age
- Economic class
- Religion
- Refugee/migrant status
The international human rights community recognizes these vulnerabilities and provides special protections through conventions for children, women, refugees, people with disabilities, and others. A UN convention for elderly people is still a proposal, but it could be the next major human rights instrument.
Who is responsible for ensuring human rights violations don’t happen?
Member States are legally responsible for protecting human rights. As a resource from the UN states: “Every state has the primary responsibility within its territory to ensure human rights are guaranteed to all members.” A State’s responsibility is three-fold. It must respect, protect and fulfill human rights.
- “Respect” means refraining from actions that disrupt and interfere with human rights. Examples of disrespect include using torture in criminal investigations, forcing children to be soldiers and establishing anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
- “Protect” means protecting individuals from non-State, foreign State, and State abuses. That includes taking steps to prevent abuses (like banning child labor) and hold abusers accountable (like passing laws that punish companies that use child labor).
- “Fulfill” means taking actions that ensure everyone fully enjoys their human rights. Actions include implementing policies that make life better for people, like more affordable and equitable healthcare and education. It’s not enough for States to avoid violating human rights – they must actively invest in their realization.
What can you do about human rights violations?
States are legally responsible for protecting human rights, but it’s clear most (if not all) are not doing enough. In many cases, they’re actively participating in human rights violations without consequence. Individuals and groups must stand for what’s right and participate in activism that respects, protects and fulfills human rights for all.
Whether you’re a student, an educator, an activist, a business owner or someone else who cares about human rights, there are ways to stand against human rights violations. Human Rights Careers has an article on 13 types of activism, but we’ll cover three types here to give you a picture of what activism looks like:
#1. Join a human rights group
If you care deeply about protecting human rights, you must find people who share your values. It’s hard to accomplish things alone, and you’ll burn yourself out. In a community with shared values, you’ll gain new skills and perspectives while sharing the burden of fighting human rights violations. When there’s trouble (like group members getting arrested or suffering financial losses), the community can provide support. When someone needs a break, others can fill in the gaps. Group activism is essential because most human rights issues are not resolved quickly. Individuals have limited time and energy, and while injustice doesn’t sleep, groups can build the capacity for a long-term fight.
#2. Protest
Protests take many forms (like marches, sit-ins/die-ins, work walkouts), but the primary goal is to raise awareness of an issue and call for a specific outcome, like the passing or repealing a law. The right to protest is itself a human right, but governments often criminalize it by saying protestors are a danger to national security and public safety. To protest safely, follow the guidance of experienced activists, take steps to protect your identity and plan for worst-case scenarios, like getting detained.
#3. Participate in mutual aid
Mutual aid is when people pool their resources to provide things like food, clothing, medical supplies and disaster relief. These groups tend to be peer-to-peer without the hierarchy of nonprofits and government agencies. Examples include free mask blocs (where people stock free pantries with N95 masks), neighborhood food drives and carpool groups. Mutual aid activities can support established nonprofits, like raising money as a workplace to donate to a local food bank. You can also directly support people without going through an organization. Because mutual aid is something anyone can do without setting up a legal entity or a board, it’s a great way to protect human rights.
