"Human rights are not a privilege granted by the few, they are a liberty entitled to all, and human rights, by definition, include the rights of all humans, those in the dawn of life, the dusk of life, or the shadows of life"

Kay Granger’s words articulate a foundational truth about the essence of human rights: they are not privileges distributed or withheld at the discretion of the powerful, but universal entitlements inhering in every individual by virtue of shared humanity. Human rights transcend boundaries of power, social status, age, or circumstance; they are not favors given by governing authorities, but inherent liberties that exist prior to and independent of political or social recognition.

The statement underscores an imperative of inclusivity, emphasizing that true respect for human rights entails their unconditional extension to all persons. By specifying “the dawn of life, the dusk of life, or the shadows of life,” Granger underscores the continuity and comprehensiveness of these rights. The dawn of life refers to the youngest among us, the unborn, infants, and children, who are often most vulnerable. The dusk of life points to the elderly or those at the end of their lives, for whom dignity, care, and respect remain fundamental. The shadows of life alludes to those marginalized, forgotten, or living on the social periphery due to poverty, disability, incarceration, or other circumstances that often lead to neglect or discrimination.

Belonging to all by virtue of their humanity, rights are not contingent upon utility, popularity, or perceived social worth. The quote challenges any societal framework that attempts to restrict these rights, insisting that the measure of a society’s justice is found in how inclusively it honors the rights of its most vulnerable members. It calls for vigilant protection against the temptation to relativize or limit rights according to personal, political, or cultural preferences.

Granger’s words serve as both a reminder and a call to action: to recognize and affirm the equal dignity and rights of every human being, and to ensure that our commitments and institutions uphold the universality and inviolability of human rights throughout the arc of every life.