Marchers in Harlem, New York in 1955

Marchers in Harlem, New York in 1955 (Image by Stanley Wolfson via Wikimedia Commons)

Civil rights are the rights of each person to exist in a society without facing unfair treatment or discrimination; they ensure equal social opportunities and equal protection under the law – regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or other characteristic. Civil rights exist to protect individuals from actions by the government, organizations, or other persons.

Political rights allow individuals to participate freely in the political system. This includes voting and holding public office. Political rights are supposed to ensure that an individual can join a political party, attend a protest, or other political activities without fear of repression.

Both civil and political rights are at the core of international human rights law.

Teaching Materials

Primary Source Documents

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms, 1941
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms, 1941

In his 1941 State of the Union address, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made the case for continuing to provide material support to Britain in the fight against fascism in Europe. Arguing against isolationism, Roosevelt explained that in this support against the Axis powers, Americans would be protecting four universal rights: the freedom of speech and expression, the freedom to worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

The principles of the “Four Freedoms” would eventually evolve into the United Nations Declaration of 1942 and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948. Roosevelt’s widow, Eleanor Roosevelt, was instrumental in the passage of the UDHR. Read document >

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, 1965
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, 1965

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) was adopted by the United Nations in 1965 in response to a growing awareness of racial discrimination around the world.  It defines racial discrimination as different (negative) treatment towards a person or group as a result of their national or ethnic origin. This discrimination restricts the human rights of the person/group.

Under this agreement, states are obliged to ensure equality under the law for all people, regardless of race or ethnicity.  The convention also requires its parties to outlaw hate speech.  CERD has gained near-universal acceptance in the international community, with 179 states being party to the convention. Read document >

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966

The UN General Assembly adopted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1966. It is one of three documents that make up the International Bill of Rights.

The covenant protects many important rights which limit the encroachments of government, including the right to life, freedom of speech, and the right to due process. Unlike the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the covenant is legally-binding. It is monitored by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which meets three times per year. Read document >

Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, 1994
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, 1994

The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is a treaty of the Council of Europe aimed at protecting minority groups within Europe. Adopted in 1994, it is the world’s first legally-binding multilateral treaty to protect national minorities.  The treaty does not define ‘national minority’ but instead leaves it up to each country to decide on its own definition of the term.

Parties to the convention must agree to promote the full equality of persons belonging to national minority groups in all areas of economic, social, political, public and cultural life. Read document >

Additional Resources

The following organizations are a sample of groups working to protect civil rights in American society; it is not an exhaustive list.

American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was founded in 1920. It works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties enshrined in the laws and the U.S. Constitution. The organization primarily works through litigation and lobbying, but also creates large-scale public advocacy campaigns for a number of issues.

Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Founded in 1974, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) works to protect the civil rights of Asian Americans. Through litigation, advocacy, and education, the organization focuses on issues such as: immigrant right, voting rights, and equity in education.

Council on American-Islamic Relations
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a nonprofit organization working to protect the civil rights of Muslims in the United States. It also works to enhance understanding of Islam and advocates dialogue between faith communities.

Disability Rights Advocates
Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is one of the leading disability rights legal centers in the United States. Its mission is to advance equal rights and opportunities for people with all types of disabilities – including mobility, sensory, cognitive, and psychiatric disabilities.

Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is a nonprofit organization working to protect the civil rights of LGBT individuals, as well as all people diagnosed with HIV. The organization works primarily through litigation, education campaigns, and public policy.

Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) is the oldest Latinx legal civil rights organization in the United States. Founded in 1968, it strives to protect and defend the rights of all Latinx individuals living in the U.S.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) exists to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination. To these ends, it works on a number of issues, including climate justice, educational equity, and economic opportunity.

National Organization for Women
The National Organization for Women is the largest organization of feminist activists in the U.S. It works to promote feminist ideals and protect the equal rights of women. Its issue areas include reproductive rights, ending domestic violence, and constitutional equality.

Native American Rights Fund
The Native American Rights Fund (NARF), founded in 1971, provides legal representation to Native Americans and Indian tribes. It also works to ensure that the civil and religious rights of all Native Americans are respected and protected.