Why Do Human Rights Matter?

A cartoonish image with a graphic in the center of a gray fist holding up scales. The fist is surrounded by white spirals, and diagonally oriented blue ribbons adorn the sides of the image.
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Introduction

The Human Writes Team is proud to announce Critical Conversations! Critical Conversations is an invitation to University of Minnesota students to provide answers to a monthly prompt. Some of these prompts will involve a certain event or commemoration that’s happening in that month, while others will be suggestions from you guys!  

For the Human Writes’s blog first Monthly Critical Conversations piece, we asked the HRP’s Undergraduate Working Members: “Why do human rights matter?” We wanted to start off our first piece exploring how students at the UMN view human rights, and we chose to highlight the pieces that we felt described the Human Right’s Program’s mission most clearly. 

The core of human rights is, of course, the humans! For those of us at the HRP, we pride ourselves in centering people in the work that we do. As you read the responses from our students, note that—while each student provided their unique perspective—all the students shared the belief that human rights are about caring for one another and striving to improve the quality of life for all. 

Responses

 

Headshot of Amara

"Human rights matter because I believe that everyone deserves the chance to live safely and freely. To me, it’s about ensuring that people have what they need to live and succeed without fear and unfair treatment. We’re all connected to each other and have a social obligation to look out for each other and advocate for those rights. Protecting human rights is how we can show compassion and remind each other that every person’s life and voice have value." 

Amara Mozammel 
Microbiology - 2027

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoda Headshot

"Human rights matter because they affirm the inherent dignity and equality of every individual; principles that should be self-evident, yet often require deliberate protection. When societies fail to recognize or defend these rights, systemic injustice deepens and vulnerable populations are left without support. Without cultivating a collective commitment to safeguarding human rights, we risk repeating the injustices of the past." 

Hoda Abdullahi
Economics - 2027

 

 

 

 

 

Staël headshot

"Human Rights matter because Humans matter. Anywhere and everywhere, Human Rights are a framework for human life and are one of the powerful ways in which our world is interconnected. Caring about and protecting Human Rights, is both a type of self-love and a form of acknowledgment of the inherent value of others' lives."

Staël Kpetsu
Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Justice - 2028

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicolo headshot

"Human rights are the safeties, comforts, and freedoms we are entitled to experience in our lives. Those born into a life without such dignities are forced to fight for them, while those with realized rights are tasked with protecting them. We must carry the torch for ourselves and light the fire for those who need a spark. The world is but a big family, and we must care for each other as such - with compassion and love."

Nicolo Schaust
Journalism - 2027

 

 

 

 

 

Mumtaaz headshot

"Human rights matter because they are the foundation of peace, equity, and human connection. When people care about human rights, they recognize that the struggles of others are not distant from their own and that protecting one person’s rights strengthens the rights of all."

Mumtaaz Mahammud Hirsi
Psychology