What do people think and know about human rights?

• Author: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (EU body or agency)
• Pages: 19-29

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WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK AND KNOW

ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS?

KEY FINDINGS

ËNearly 9 in 10 people (88 %) in the EU think that human rights are important for creating

a fairer society in their country. This ranges from a ‘low’ of 76 % in Hungary to a ‘high’ of 96 %

in Malta. In addition, almost two thirds (64 %) disagree with the statement “human rights are

meaningless to me in everyday life”. This shows that people in the EU widely believe that human

rights can play a useful and meaningful role in their lives.

ËAt the same time, almost 7 in 10 (68 %) think that some people take unfair advantage of

human rights. In addition, one third of people (33 %) in the EU agree with the statement that



criminals and terrorists”.

Ë

statement that everybody in their country enjoys the same basic human rights. By contrast,

36 % of people who are unemployed agree or strongly agree with this statement. These results





Namely, 65 % of people who are employed and make ends meet ‘easily’ or ‘very easily’ think

that everyone in their country enjoys the same basic rights. In contrast, 41 % of people who are



ËThe results indicate a link between people’s income and education, and their views on human

rights. People who struggle to make ends meet with their household income, and those whose

highest completed level of education is lower secondary education or less, are less likely to feel

that everyone in their country enjoys the same human rights.

Ë



terrorists”. Meanwhile, 27 % of those who are coping very easily with their current income hold







compared with 32 % who are in no way limited.

Ë

abuses are not really a problem in their country, but instead are something that happens









women (44 %).