Unalienable rights, also called inalienable rights, are fundamental human rights that cannot be taken away, surrendered, or transferred under any circumstances. These rights are inherent to every individual by virtue of their humanity and exist independently of any government or state authority. They are considered natural and sovereign rights that predate and transcend the existence of governments, meaning the state cannot diminish or alter them except through due legal process

. Historically, the concept of unalienable rights emerged from Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Francis Hutcheson, who argued these rights were granted by a Creator or were inherent to human nature. The American Declaration of Independence famously refers to these as "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness," emphasizing that these rights are self-evident and fundamental to human dignity

. Examples of unalienable rights commonly recognized include:

• The right to life
• The right to liberty (freedom)
• The right to freedom of speech
• The right to privacy
• The right to a fair trial

These rights differ from legal or alienable rights, which can be revoked or regulated by governments under certain conditions, such as the right to vote or own property, which may be suspended in specific circumstances like criminal convictions

. In summary, unalienable rights are essential, inviolable human rights that cannot be justly taken away or given up, forming the moral and legal foundation for protecting individual freedoms and dignity in many democratic societies