Rettigheden

Rettigheden is the definite form of the Danish noun rettighed, meaning a right, entitlement, or legal claim. In legal and philosophical usage, rettigheden can refer to a specific right mentioned in a law or to the general category of rights as such. The term appears in constitutions, statutes, and judicial decisions, and it is used to distinguish particular claims from the broader idea of justice.

Rights may be civil and political liberties (such as freedom of movement, expression, and due process), property rights, social and economic rights (such as access to education and social security), or procedural rights (such as a fair hearing). They arise from different sources: natural law or moral theory, constitutional provisions, national statutes, or international instruments. In many countries, fundamental rettigheder are protected by a constitution and by independent courts; international human rights law, including treaties and case law, also governs how these rights are applied.

Rights are generally not absolute; they can be limited to protect other rights or to safeguard public safety, health, or morals, provided that limitations are prescribed by law and are proportionate. Remedies for violated rettigheder may include judicial review, administrative remedies, and, where appropriate, ombudsman procedures.

The concept of rettigheden interacts with duties and responsibilities, as rights typically impose corresponding obligations on others, the state, or society. It evolves through jurisprudence, social norms, and international cooperation, reflecting changing understandings of liberty, equality, and dignity.