Human rights are claims that every human being is entitled to, and have traditionally been characterised into civil and political rights, and socio-economic rights. In South Africa, these are outlined in Chapter 2 of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and applies to all laws, binding the legislature, the executive, the judiciary and all organs of the State.

Socio-economic rights can be defined as the following: Right to education; Right to food; Right to health; Right to land; Right to water; Environmental Rights; Right to social security; Right to housing.

Civil and political rights can be outlined as the right to the following: Equality; Human dignity; Freedom of security of person; Privacy; Freedom of religion, belief and opinion; Freedom of expression; Assembly, demonstration, picket and petition; Freedom of association; Political rights; Citizenship; Freedom of movement; Freedom of trade, occupation and profession; Labour rights

In recent years, cultural rights and environmental rights have also become recognised as important.

Cultural rights can be understood through the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights, which recognises the right 'to the right to take part in cultural life; to enjoy the enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications; to benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author; to respect the freedom indispensable for scientific research and creative activity’ (taken from http://www.unhchr.ch). These states recognise the benefits to be derived from the encouragement and development of international contacts and co-operation in the scientific and cultural fields.

More on environmental rights: governance and development, business and industry, atmosphere, biodiversity, marine and coastal management, freshwater, land, energy, sustainable consumption, chemicals, pollution.

As humanity develops, its understanding of rights also expands and develops. As a result, rights are often described as first, second or third generation rights.