What are "Fundamental Human Rights"? Concepts you should know first
Introduction
You often hear in the news that "human rights are important" or "we must protect human rights."
But in reality,
"What exactly are human rights?"
is a question that is surprisingly difficult to explain.
This time, we will start by organizing the basics of "Fundamental Human Rights," which is a very important concept in the Constitution of Japan.
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What are fundamental human rights?
Fundamental human rights are rights that every person possesses from birth.
For example,
• Having your own thoughts
• Expressing opinions freely
• Living safely
• Being treated with respect as a human being
These things are considered not something given by someone else, but something you possess from the beginning.
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Why are they written in the Constitution?
In the past, the power of the state was strong, and there were times when people's freedom was not protected.
Therefore,
by writing "protect human rights" in the Constitution, which is the rule of the state, it was ensured that the state could not arbitrarily take away human rights.
In other words, the Constitution is also a rule that binds the power of the state.
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Are human rights "not restricted"?
A concept that often comes up here is "public welfare."
For example,
• The freedom to play music at high volume
• The freedom to block a road
If such freedoms were left as they are, they could destroy the lives of other people.
Therefore, it is considered that human rights are adjusted to the extent necessary to protect everyone's human rights.
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Key points
Fundamental human rights are based on the idea that they are:
• Rights possessed from birth
• Not easily taken away even by the state
• However, they require adjustment between people
And in the Constitution of Japan, protecting these human rights is highly emphasized.
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Next time preview
Next time,
"Are human rights permanent rights?"
We will look at the meaning written in the Constitution.
We will clarify the term "permanent rights" that also appears in the news.
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Source
e-Gov Law Search
Constitution of Japan
https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=321CONSTITUTION