Who has human rights?

Human rights belong to everyone. Everyone includes these people:

• children and youth
• women and girls
• people who see themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, or questioning

• people with disabilities
• indigenous communities
• human rights defenders

At the CORE, we are most concerned with 2 groups of people:

• those who live near Canadian companies that do business outside of Canada
• those who work for Canadian companies outside Canada

Are human rights written down anywhere?

Yes. Human rights are written down in international agreements. Some of these are called declarations. Others are called treaties or covenants. These agreements include many different human rights. Here are some of them:

• You have the right NOT to be discriminated against.
• You have the right to be free from torture, or cruel or inhumane treatment.
• You have the right to be free from slavery and forced labour.

• You have the right to have just and favourable working conditions.
• You have the right to speak freely, to express your opinion, and to gather with others.
• You have the right to have your own thoughts and religion.

More information

• What are human rights?
• What is a human rights abuse?