Human Rights Vocabulary

noun protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their native country as a political refugee

• The refugee sought asylum in the neighboring country.
• She applied for asylum because she feared for her life in her home country.
• They managed to sneak into the country and find asylum.
• The library was his asylum, a place of peace and refuge from the chaos of the world.

noun a person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place

verb to provide evidence or testimony of something

• The eyewitnesses will bear witness in court to the events that took place.
• I saw the whole thing happen, I can bear witness to it.
• I swear on my momma's grave, I'll bear witness to what went down.
• The changing seasons bear witness to the passage of time.

noun a person who sees an event happening and is able to describe it

verb to provide evidence or testimony against someone or something

• The prosecution called on the eyewitnesses to bear witness against the defendant in court.
• They asked the people who saw everything to tell the truth about what happened.
• They wanted the snitches to rat out the suspect.
• The scars on her body bear witness against the hardships she has endured.

noun a legal process where a person is sentenced to death for a crime they have committed

• The debate on whether to abolish capital punishment continues among lawmakers.
• Some people believe that capital punishment is necessary for serious crimes.
• I heard they're bringing back capital punishment in that state.
• In the court of public opinion, cancel culture can be seen as a form of social capital punishment.

noun mercy or leniency shown towards someone who is guilty or deserving of punishment

• The judge granted clemency to the convicted criminal due to their good behavior in prison.
• I hope the governor shows clemency and pardons my cousin for his minor offense.
• If you're lucky, the teacher might show clemency and let you retake the test.
• The storm showed no clemency as it raged on, destroying everything in its path.

noun A person or thing that is considered to be very bad or unacceptable.

adjective Deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad in quality.

• The conditions in the factory were deplorable and did not meet safety standards.
• The state of his apartment was deplorable, with trash everywhere.
• That movie was deplorable, I can't believe we wasted money on it.
• The way she treated her employees was deplorable, like she had no regard for their well-being.

noun the act of belittling or disparaging someone or something

• Any derogation from this policy will result in disciplinary action.
• If you don't follow this rule, you'll get in trouble.
• Messing up this policy will get you in hot water.
• Deviation from this guideline will lead to consequences.

verb to confer honor or dignity upon; honor; ennoble

• It is important to dignify all individuals with respect and kindness.
• Let's make sure to dignify everyone's opinions during the meeting.
• Don't forget to dignify your friend's efforts in helping you out.
• The artist sought to dignify the ordinary object by placing it in a museum setting.

noun the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect

• The organization is committed to upholding the dignity of all its employees.
• Let's make sure we treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• Don't be a jerk, show some dignity.
• In the face of adversity, she held onto her dignity like a shield.

noun the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex

• Discrimination based on gender is a violation of human rights.
• It's not fair to face discrimination just because of who you are.
• Discrimination sucks, plain and simple.
• Discrimination is like a dark cloud hanging over society.

verb to set free from legal, social, or political restrictions; to liberate

• The government worked to emancipate the oppressed group from years of discrimination.
• She felt a sense of freedom and empowerment after she decided to emancipate herself from a toxic relationship.
• I'm ready to emancipate myself from this dead-end job and start pursuing my dreams.
• Learning to forgive and let go of past grievances can help emancipate your mind from negative thoughts.

noun the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities

• The government is committed to promoting gender equality in the workplace.
• We believe in treating everyone with equality and fairness.
• Yo, everyone deserves equality, no matter what.
• In the eyes of justice, equality is the cornerstone of a fair society.

noun the action of extraditing a person accused or convicted of a crime

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• The extradition treaty between the two countries allows for the transfer of criminal suspects.
• The extradition process can be lengthy and complicated.
• I heard they're trying to avoid extradition by fleeing to a non-extradition country.
• In this case, extradition refers to the act of confronting and dealing with one's past mistakes.

verb Freed is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'free', which means to release or liberate from confinement or slavery.

• The political prisoner was finally freed after years of unjust imprisonment.
• I heard that Sarah's dog got freed from the animal shelter last week.
• Dude, we gotta get freed from this boring party and go somewhere fun.
• Her creativity was freed once she started painting again.

noun the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint

• Freedom of speech is a fundamental right in a democratic society.
• I love the freedom of being able to work from home in my pajamas.
• I feel so free when I'm cruising down the highway with the wind in my hair.
• True freedom comes from within, when you let go of all your fears and doubts.

noun the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group

• The International Criminal Court investigates cases of genocide and other crimes against humanity.
• The genocide in Rwanda was a tragic event that affected many families.
• That dictator is responsible for a whole genocide in his country.
• The destruction of the rainforest is often referred to as an environmental genocide.

noun a sexual orientation characterized by a romantic attraction to individuals of the same sex

• The study aimed to explore the social attitudes towards homosexuality in different cultures.
• She is a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights and supports homosexuality openly.
• Some people just don't get it, they still think homosexuality is a choice.
• The artist used vibrant colors to symbolize the diversity and beauty of homosexuality in his painting.

noun A person's concern for the welfare of others or a subject that appeals to a general audience's curiosity or emotions

• The documentary focused on stories of human interest, showcasing the resilience of individuals overcoming adversity.
• I love reading articles that delve into human interest topics, they always tug at my heartstrings.
• That podcast episode was so juicy, full of human interest stories that kept me hooked the entire time.
• The novel was a tapestry of human interest, weaving together the lives of diverse characters in a captivating way.

noun A human being, especially a person as distinguished from an animal or an alien

adjective Relating to or characteristic of people or human beings

• The study focused on the impact of technology on human behavior.
• Humans are so unpredictable sometimes.
• I can't believe some humans still fall for that scam.
• Her kindness towards others truly shows her human side.

adjective unable to be taken away or given away

• The right to life is considered an inalienable human right.
• You can't take away my inalienable right to freedom of speech.
• I ain't giving up my inalienable rights for nobody.
• Her love for him was like an inalienable bond that could not be broken.

adjective not able to communicate with others

adverb in a state of not being able to communicate with others

• The suspect was held incommunicado while awaiting trial.
• I haven't heard from my friend in days, she's gone incommunicado.
• He went incommunicado after his breakup, not responding to anyone.
• The artist went incommunicado to focus on his work and avoid distractions.

noun a lack of fairness or justice; an unfair act or occurrence

• The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, citing a clear case of injustice.
• It's just not fair how some people get away with injustice.
• That's some messed up injustice right there.
• The darkness of injustice cast a shadow over the community.

noun the quality or state of being lawful; conformity to the law

• The lawfulness of the contract is being reviewed by our legal team.
• We need to make sure everything we do is within the lawfulness.
• I always make sure to stay on the right side of lawfulness.
• In the world of business, navigating the lawfulness of regulations can be tricky.

noun the act or process of making or enacting laws

adjective related to the process of making laws

• Lawmaking is the process by which legislation is proposed, debated, and enacted by a governing body.
• Lawmaking can be a lengthy and complex process involving multiple stages of review and approval.
• Some people think lawmaking is just a bunch of politicians arguing and not getting anything done.
• In a way, lawmaking is like building a house - each piece of legislation is like a brick, slowly constructing the legal framework of society.

noun a right that is believed to be inherent to all human beings, often viewed as existing independently of government or society

• The concept of natural right is often discussed in political philosophy.
• Some people believe that everyone has a natural right to freedom.
• You can't take away my natural right to speak my mind.
• In the animal kingdom, the lion has a natural right to be the king of the jungle.

verb to subject to harsh and authoritarian treatment

adjective feeling burdened or weighed down by something

• The government must address the needs of the oppressed minority groups in our society.
• It's not fair how the system always seems to favor the rich and powerful while the rest of us feel oppressed.
• Some people feel really down and out, like they're constantly getting the short end of the stick.
• Her thoughts were like a dark cloud, constantly looming over her, making her feel oppressed.

verb to commit or carry out (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action)

• The suspect was caught red-handed trying to perpetrate a robbery.
• I can't believe he tried to perpetrate such a dumb crime.
• Those guys are always looking for ways to perpetrate scams.
• His words seemed to perpetrate a sense of unease among the group.

noun a building or institution where people are legally held as a punishment for crimes they have committed or while awaiting trial

• The criminal was sentenced to ten years in prison for his actions.
• I heard that Jake's brother is in prison for theft.
• She's been locked up in the slammer for a month now.
• Being stuck in a toxic relationship can feel like being in an emotional prison.

noun the occupation of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment

• Prostitution is illegal in many countries around the world.
• I heard that there is a lot of prostitution in that area of town.
• Some people refer to prostitution as 'the oldest profession'.
• Selling out your beliefs for money is like emotional prostitution.

noun a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something

verb to express strong disapproval or objection to something

• The citizens organized a peaceful protest to demand political reform.
• I heard there's going to be a protest downtown tomorrow.
• Let's skip class and go join the protest at the park.
• His silence was a protest against the injustice he witnessed.

noun remedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance

verb to remedy or set right

• The company promised to redress the issue by providing a full refund to all affected customers.
• I'm going to redress the situation by apologizing and making it right.
• I'll redress the mistake by fixing it ASAP.
• She hoped that time would redress the pain of her past experiences.

verb to express one's opinion or beliefs openly and confidently

• It is important for individuals to speak out against injustice in society.
• If you see something wrong, don't be afraid to speak out about it.
• Hey, if you have something to say, just speak out, man.
• Her actions spoke out louder than words, showing her true intentions.

noun a person who is not considered as a national by any country

adjective describing the condition of being without a nationality or citizenship

• A stateless person is someone who is not considered a national by any country.
• I heard that John is a stateless person because his citizenship application got denied.
• Dude, did you know that Sarah is basically a citizen of nowhere? She's a stateless person.
• Being in a foreign land without any support feels like being a stateless person.

verb to give evidence or testimony against someone or something in a court of law

• The witness was called to testify against the defendant in court.
• I can't believe they asked me to testify against my own friend.
• I ain't testifying against nobody, no matter what they offer me.
• Her actions testify against her character more than any words could.

verb to make a formal statement based on personal knowledge or belief; to give evidence in a court of law

• The witness was called to testify in court.
• I had to testify about what I saw at the accident.
• I ain't testifying against my friend, no way.
• The success of the new product will testify to the company's innovative approach.

noun the action or practice of inflicting severe pain or suffering on someone as a punishment or to force them to do or say something

verb inflict severe pain or suffering on someone as a punishment or to force them to do or say something

• Torture is a violation of human rights and is prohibited by international law.
• I can't watch movies that have scenes of torture, it's too disturbing for me.
• I would rather do anything than go through that torture of a workout again.
• Waiting in line at the DMV feels like a form of torture.

verb to inflict severe pain or suffering on someone physically or mentally

• The suspect was tortured for information by the authorities.
• I can't believe he tortured himself by watching that movie again.
• The bullies tortured him relentlessly in school.
• The haunting memories of the past tortured her mind.

verb inflicting severe pain or suffering on someone deliberately

• The suspect was charged with torturing animals, a serious crime under the law.
• I heard that he was torturing his little brother by tickling him non-stop.
• Stop torturing me with your bad jokes!
• The constant noise from the construction site was torturing my ears.

noun the action or practice of illegally transporting people or goods for profit

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• Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights and is considered a modern form of slavery.
• Did you hear about the trafficking ring that was busted last week?
• I can't believe people are still involved in that trafficking stuff.
• The trafficking of ideas and information is essential for the growth of knowledge in society.

noun arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power

• The citizens revolted against the tyranny of the oppressive government.
• We can't let the tyranny of our boss ruin our workplace.
• Don't be a victim of relationship tyranny, stand up for yourself.
• The tyranny of perfectionism can be detrimental to one's mental health.

adjective not transferable to another or not capable of being taken away or denied

• The Declaration of Independence states that all men are endowed with certain unalienable rights.
• You have the unalienable right to freedom of speech in this country.
• I ain't giving up my unalienable right to party on the weekends.
• Her unalienable love for animals is evident in the way she cares for her pets.

noun a person who has been harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event

• The victim of the crime was able to identify the suspect in a police lineup.
• The victim of the scam lost all her savings to the con artist.
• The victim got totally played by that smooth-talking hustler.
• She felt like a victim of circumstance, unable to control the events unfolding around her.

noun a legal term referring to the act of subjecting someone to unwanted sexual contact or behavior

• The suspect was charged with sexual imposition after allegedly touching a minor inappropriately.
• I heard that he got in trouble for sexual imposition at the party last night.
• He's a creep, always trying to pull off some sexual imposition on unsuspecting girls.
• The company's new policy was seen as a form of sexual imposition on employees' personal lives.

noun In some contexts, BNO may be used as an abbreviation for 'Buy Now Online'.

• The BNO, or British National (Overseas) passport, allows Hong Kong residents to travel to the UK for up to six months without a visa.
• I just got my BNO renewed so I can visit my family in the UK next month.
• My friend said he lost his BNO and now he can't go on his trip to London.
• Having a BNO is like having a golden ticket to the UK for Hong Kong citizens.

noun A fundamental principle of international law that is accepted by the international community as a norm from which no derogation is permitted.

• Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms of international law that are non-derogable and universally accepted.
• Jus cogens is like the 'top dog' of international law that everyone has to follow.
• Jus cogens is the 'big boss' of international law.
• In the world of international law, jus cogens is like the unbreakable chain that holds everything together.

noun Global apartheid refers to the unequal treatment and segregation of people on a global scale based on factors such as race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

adjective Global is relating to or involving the whole world.

• The concept of global apartheid refers to the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among different countries.
• Global apartheid is like when some countries have everything and others have almost nothing.
• It's messed up how global apartheid keeps certain countries in poverty while others thrive.
• The divide between the rich and poor nations can be seen as a form of global apartheid.

noun a crime of violating majesty or sovereignty

adjective related to a crime against majesty or sovereignty

• The accused was charged with lèse-majesté for insulting the royal family.
• I heard that spreading rumors about the king could be considered lèse-majesté.
• Don't even think about committing lèse-majesté, it's a serious offense.
• In some cultures, criticizing the leader is seen as a form of lèse-majesté.

noun Violence Against Women (VAW) refers to any act of gender-based violence that results in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women.

• Violence against women (VAW) is a serious human rights violation that must be addressed by society.
• VAW is never okay and should never be tolerated.
• Any guy who commits VAW is a total loser.
• VAW is like a dark cloud hanging over our society, affecting everyone in its path.

noun a person who is against the idea of a pass or permit

adjective opposed to the use or implementation of passes or permits

• The government implemented an anti-pass law to restrict movement in certain areas.
• I heard they're cracking down on anti-pass violations in the city.
• Don't forget to carry your anti-pass with you when you go out.
• She wore her determination like an anti-pass, refusing to be held back by obstacles.

noun the state or condition of being transgender; the identification with a gender different from the one assigned at birth

• The study of transgenderism has gained more attention in recent years.
• I read an article about transgenderism and found it very interesting.
• Some people still have misconceptions about transgenderism.
• Understanding transgenderism is like peeling back layers of societal norms and expectations.

noun a person who is accused of a crime or wrongdoing

• The accusee has the right to defend themselves in court.
• The person being accused can hire a lawyer to help them.
• The one getting blamed can plead their case with a good attorney.
• The accused party must present their side of the story to clear their name.

noun a type of journalism that involves reporting on issues with a specific bias or agenda in order to promote a particular cause or viewpoint

• Advocacy journalism is a type of journalism that involves reporting with an explicitly partisan viewpoint.
• Advocacy journalism is when reporters openly support a particular cause or point of view.
• Advocacy journalism is like when reporters have a bias and don't even try to hide it.
• In the realm of media, advocacy journalism can be seen as a double-edged sword, as it can both inform and persuade.

noun a type of journalism that involves promoting a specific point of view or agenda

• The advocacy journalist wrote a detailed report on the environmental impact of the new construction project.
• The advocacy journalist is always writing about social issues that matter to them.
• That advocacy journalist is really out here fighting for what's right.
• Like a modern-day crusader, the advocacy journalist seeks to shine a light on injustices in society.

noun A fair hearing - a formal meeting where evidence and arguments are presented to determine the truth or validity of a claim or accusation

• Every individual has the right to a fair hearing in a court of law.
• I just want to make sure I get a fair hearing from my boss before any decisions are made.
• I hope I can at least get a fair hearing from the judge, you know?
• In a democracy, it is crucial that all voices are given a fair hearing in the decision-making process.

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb to indicate time, manner, place, or degree

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The court ruled that the decision to relocate the child was made against one's will.
• I had to attend the family gathering against my will.
• I was dragged to the party last night against my will.
• Being forced to work overtime felt like going against one's will.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific person, place, or thing

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• The court ruled that the contract was signed against someone's will and therefore not legally binding.
• She was forced to go on the trip against her will and ended up having a terrible time.
• He was dragged to the party against his will and was not happy about it.
• The new policy was implemented against someone's will, causing a lot of discontent among the employees.