Human rights are related to the values that societies live by. These values have their origins in the world's great religions and philosophies. Value systems can vary in detail between one society and another but the fundamental ideas are very similar. Concepts of justice and human dignity are at the heart of these values. Over the last few hundred years, ideas about human rights have developed as a way of expressing values. But whether expressed or not, rights are, and always have been, a part of the way people interact with one another.
Human rights establish clarity: it shows clearly who the bearer of the duties are (governments and their agents) and who the rights holder are (everyone subject to detention).
Human rights adds consistency: it establishes the same duties across borders - this means that advocates everywhere can participate in working for rights to be respected.
Human rights gives a common language that advocates across borders can use in advocating for rights: everyone can cite the same things because every human being is entitled to enjoy these rights.
Human rights establishes benchmarks: advocates can use them to determine whether a situation is improving or deteriorating.
Human rights has the concept of remedies associated with it: knowledge about human rights can empower individuals and promote remedies for specific problems.
