ABSTRACT
Human rights have become a major concern of modern society, with violent oppression being used as a form of social control to prevent democratic participation. The concept of human rights has been expanded to encompass the concerns of the oppressed and exploited. The denial of freedom and other rights to self-realisation constitutes social injustice. Root causes of human rights violations originate in not only political oppression but also deteriorating economic and social conditions. Violence caused by the manipulation of religious and ethnic differences is a paramount human rights problem in many parts of the world. In human rights movements, there is also a growing concern with the inequitable international economic order. Industrialised countries must restrain from harming the population of other countries with the export of hazardous substances and waste. States demonstrate their commitment to human rights protection by ratifying international conventions.
