Human rights glossary

Convention A legally binding international agreement to which a country commits itself (eg children’s rights, human rights, torture)   Declaration A morally, but not legally binding agreement on a series of principles that guides behaviour on a specific subject (eg children’s rights, human rights, torture).     Discrimination The unequal treatment of a person or group based on their age, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, sex, pregnancy or marital status, disability, religion, sexual preference or other characteristic.   Equality The equal valuing and treatment of all people so they have the same rights to the economic, social, cultural and political developments within society.     Ratify The confirmation of signature signifying the intention by a country's government to be bound by the provisions of a treaty, convention or protocol.   Right Something to which a person has a just claim by law, tradition or nature.     State The supreme law-making authority within a sovereign jurisdiction or country.   Torture The intentional infliction of severe physical or mental pain or suffering for the purposes of inducing compliance or intimidation by a public official or person acting in an official capacity.