réttindin

Réttindin is the definite plural form of the Icelandic noun réttindi, meaning "the rights." In Icelandic, réttindi denotes entitlements or claims recognized by law or morality, including human rights, civil rights, property rights, and other legally recognized interests. The definite form is used when referring to a particular bundle of rights or when the term appears as a title or label.

In legal and political contexts, the term frequently appears in discussions of constitutional guarantees, statutes, and public policy. Common constructions include mannréttindi (human rights), borgaréttindi (citizens’ rights), and réttindi til something. The idea of rights is central to Icelandic constitutional law, social policy, and debates about privacy, freedom of expression, education, and equality.

Réttindin can also function as a proper noun in contexts where it is capitalized, for example as the name of a campaign, NGO, or project focused on rights. In such use, it is treated as a brand or title rather than a generic term.

Etymology: the term arises from the Icelandic root rett- meaning right or law; it parallels related terms in other Nordic languages. The concept spans legal, philosophical, and social dimensions, reflecting both universal and Icelandic understandings of rights.