So far, this Issue in Depth has focused on human rights that are possessed by every individual, regardless of his or her particular characteristics. This section will consider whether certain groups deserve rights that are unique to them, which provide special protections necessary for these individuals to enjoy a common standard of human dignity. For some groups, such as women and children, the idea of additional group-specific rights has been widely accepted over time; for other groups, such as indigenous peoples, the status of special group rights is still being debated.

Next: Women’s Rights