Right to life is a fundamental right
Yes, the right to life is widely considered to be a fundamental human right. It is a fundamental principle recognized in numerous international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The right to life asserts that every individual has the inherent right to live and that their life should be protected by law. It encompasses the idea that no one should be arbitrarily deprived of their life and that the state has a duty to safeguard and respect this right.
The right to life includes protection against intentional killing, extrajudicial executions, genocide, and other unlawful acts that may result in the loss of life. It also extends to obligations to prevent avoidable deaths and protect individuals from threats to their life, such as violence, torture, and inhumane treatment.
While the right to life is fundamental, it is not absolute. Certain circumstances may justify the taking of a life, such as in cases of self-defense or in the context of lawful use of force by law enforcement or military operations. However, such situations are subject to strict legal standards and scrutiny to ensure that the right to life is protected to the greatest extent possible.
The recognition of the right to life as a fundamental right emphasizes the importance of valuing and preserving human life and serves as a foundation for the protection of other human rights. It sets a standard for the treatment of individuals and places an obligation on states to enact laws and policies that ensure the safeguarding of this fundamental right.