Regardless of ethnicity, gender, economic status, political affiliation, creed, religious beliefs or nonbelief, citizenship, sexual orientation, or gender identity, all individuals have universal human rights that must be respected and protected. Global standards for human rights are the ultimate guarantors of these rights, and adherence to international institutions such as the International Criminal Court, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other frameworks is essential to the enforcement of individuals’ rights the world over. It is imperative to recognize the commonalities of humanity such as compassion, dignity, and reason, rather than creating divisions among people.
The AHA strongly affirms the inherent right of all individuals to freely make choices that affect themselves and their person. Human rights ensuring justice, including the right to a fair and speedy trial by an independent judiciary, to habeas corpus, and to proportionate punishment, must be guaranteed to all. Capital punishment, prisoner abuse, extraordinary rendition, and interrogative and penal torture reflect an explicit disregard for standards of humane treatment.