What rights are

We talk about rights all the time: to vote, to form parties, to contest elections, and newer demands such as the right to information, to clean air or to safe drinking water. Rights are claimed in public life and in personal relationships, and for children, and even animals.

What is a right? A right is essentially an entitlement or a justified claim: something we are entitled to as citizens, individuals and human beings, which the rest of society must recognise as legitimate and uphold.

• Not every want is a right. A student may want to wear their own clothes instead of the uniform, or stay out late, but these are wants, not rights.
• Rights are claims that we, along with others, regard as necessary for a life of respect and dignity. The right to livelihood, for example, gives economic independence and lets us meet basic needs so we can pursue our talents.
• Freedom of expression lets us be creative and original (in writing, dance, music) and is vital for democratic government. Rights like these, important to everyone in society, are called universal.

Rights are also needed for our well-being and development. The right to education develops our capacity to reason, gives useful skills and helps us make informed choices, which is why education is a universal right.

• By the same logic, an activity that injures our health and well-being cannot be claimed as a right. Prohibited drugs damage health and may make users a danger to others; smoking also harms people nearby. So neither can be claimed as a right.

Example (new): a student may wish for a holiday every Saturday, but that is a want; a student's claim to be taught in a safe school building is a right, because without it neither dignity nor learning is possible.