Human Rights
Fundamental or Human rights which humans have by the fact of being human, and which are neither created nor can be abrogated by any government. Supported by several international conventions and treaties (such as the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human rights in 1948), these include cultural, economic, and political rights, such as right to life, liberty, education and equality before law, and right of association, belief, free speech, information, religion, movement, and nationality. Promulgation of these rights is not binding on any country, but they serve as a standard of concern for people and form the basis of many modern national constitutions. Although they were defined first by the UK philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) as absolute moral claims or entitlements to life, liberty, and property, the best-known expression of human rights is in the US Declaration of Rights in 1776 which proclaims that "All men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent natural rights of which when they enter a society they cannot by an compact deprive or divest their posterity."

Freedom
Freedom is an unconstrained right which can be exercised by an individual or group. Concepts such as Freedom of Association or Movement means that one can gather, talk and interact with whoever you wish to and you may move or go wherever you want to. Corresponding rights or freedoms only restrict these rights and freedoms. So you may not move through private property as someone owns that property and has the freedom and right to restrict movement upon it. Neither can you associate with someone who does not wish to associate with you. However, these freedoms cannot be wholly removed from an individual.

Fraternity
Fraternity is the brotherhood of man. This is not a gender exclusive term but is meant for all humans. It can be understood as meaning  the idea of community, which is a body of people that share a common interest or purpose, in this case their intrinsic humanity. It is also associated with brother/sisterhood and having/working/fitting/producing something together as a group.

Equality
Equality stands for being equal in law and so to maintain a sameness of rules, status, rights, respect, opportunities, and privileges that must be applied to all. Equality means that no person will be allowed greater status under the law than another.

Sources:
www.dictionary.com

Page Last Updated 23 March 2010