Human Rights Violation

/ˈhjuːmən raɪts ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An act or omission that breaches standard legal protections accorded to individuals under international or domestic human rights laws.
    The government was accused of a human rights violation for unlawfully detaining its critics.
  2. (n.) An instance where state or non-state actors inflict harm or deny rights guaranteed by treaties or customary international law.
    Torture and arbitrary arrest are considered serious human rights violations.

Forms

  • human rights violations

Commentary

In legal texts, precise identification of a 'human rights violation' often requires reference to specific laws or treaties violated; the term broadly covers both acts and omissions by various actors.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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Amicus Docs | Human Rights Violation Definition