Civil rights are a set of rights that protect the freedoms of individuals from being wrongly denied or limited by governments or other entities. They are guarantees of equal social opportunities and equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, or other personal characteristics. Examples of civil rights include the right to vote, the right to a fair trial, the right to government services, the right to a public education, and the right to use public facilities. Civil rights are an essential component of democracy, and when individuals are being denied opportunities to participate in political society, they are being denied their civil rights.

Civil rights are different from civil liberties, which are freedoms that are secured by placing restraints on government. Civil rights, on the other hand, are secured by positive government action, often in the form of legislation. Civil rights laws attempt to guarantee full and equal citizenship for people who have traditionally been discriminated against on the basis of some group characteristic. Unlike other rights concepts, such as human rights or natural rights, in which people acquire rights inherently, perhaps from God or nature, civil rights must be given and guaranteed by the power of the state. Therefore, they vary greatly over time, culture, and form of government and tend to follow societal trends that condone or abhor particular types of discrimination.

In summary, civil rights are personal rights guaranteed and protected by the U.S. Constitution and federal laws enacted by Congress, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. They include protection from unlawful discrimination and are essential for a democracy to function properly.