As moral principles or norms governing specific standards of human behaviour, human rights are routinely safeguarded by both local and international law. As a general rule, they are regarded as inalienable, fundamental rights "to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being" and which are "inherent in all human beings," regardless of their age (or lack thereof), ethnic origin (or lack thereof), geographic location (or lack thereof), language (or lack thereof), religion (or lack thereof), ethnicity (or lack thereof), or any other status. They are universal in the sense that they are relevant anywhere and at any time, and they are egalitarian in the sense that they are the same for everyone. Their removal is usually believed to be unjustified unless in the context of due process and particular circumstances, and they are seen as demanding empathy and the rule of law, as well as placing a responsibility on individuals to respect the human rights of others.
Global and regional institutions, international law, and the concept of human rights have all benefited from the notion of human rights. Actions taken by governments and non-governmental organisations serve as the foundation for public policy throughout the globe. The concept of human rights argues that "if there is a common moral language in the public discourse of peacetime global society, it is the language of human rights." Even today, the bold claims made by the concept of human rights continue to elicit a great deal of scepticism and spark heated discussions regarding the substance, nature, and justifications of these rights. While there is general agreement that human rights encompass a wide variety of rights such as the right to a fair trial, protection against enslavement, prohibition of genocide, freedom of expression, and the right to education, there is disagreement about which of these particular rights should be included within the general framework of human rights; some thinkers suggest that huma rights should include the right to a fair trial, protection against enslavement, prohibition of genocide, freedom of expression, and the right to education.