IB Global Politics Understanding Human Rights Key Definitions

Collective rights are the rights held by groups of people, often tied to their shared identity, culture, or history, such as Indigenous peoples’ rights to land or the right of minority groups to preserve their language and traditions.

Cultural relativism is the view that rights and moral standards are products of particular cultures rather than universal absolutes. It treats human rights claims as legitimate only when they fit local traditions, religion, and history.

Individual rights are the freedoms and entitlements held by each person, such as freedom of speech, the right to privacy, and the right to a fair trial, which protect individuals from interference by the state or others.

Rights are entitlements or permissions that individuals or groups have, often protected by law or moral principles.