What are Human Rights?
The 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and subsequent treaties establish that rights are inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, the right to an adequate standard of living, health, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.
The American Anthropological Association also recognizes the connections between human rights and anthropology, from the rights of anthropologists to conduct their work without fear of harassment or intimidation to the responsibility to act in accordance with human rights, from the opportunities to apply anthropological knowledge in the service of human rights, to the need to ensure equality of opportunity in learning about anthropology and developing a professional career in this field. Read our 2020 statement on Anthropology and Human Rights.
Get Involved
If you have a Human Rights issue you’d like to see addressed, contact Chandana Mathur, Sonia Chin, and Jeff Martin, or please use this form.
- AAA Resources Regarding Engagement with Israel/Palestine. Recently, a petition was submitted to the AAA Executive Board to put a resolution to boycott Israeli academic institutions to an electronic membership vote. The vote will be put before all AAA members June 15 – July 14.
- AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition is a network of scientific, engineering, and health membership organizations that recognize the role of science and scientists in the promotion and protection of human rights.
Learn and Teach
Call For Papers: If you have resources you feel would be beneficial in this section please contact Jeff Martin using this form.