Can the notion of Human Rights be justified and in what are such rights grounded?

Can the notion of Human Rights be justified and in what are such rights grounded? "Human rights are a set of universal claims to safeguard human dignity from illegitimate coercion, typically enacted by state agents" (Brysk, 2002 p. 3). The notion of human rights is an important ideal in society and a cause of great debate these days. Rights limit the extent to which other humans can intrude on other individuals and groups and are a necessary …

…London & New York. Hinman, L. 1998. The Ethics of Rights: Contemporary Theories. 2nd Ed, Harcourt <Tab/>Brace. O'Manique, J. 1990. Universal and Inalienable Human Rights: A Search for Foundations, 12 Human Rights Quarterly. Spicer, L. 1998. ...For we are Young and free. Trident Consulting and Publishing Vincent, R. J. 1992. The idea of Rights in International Ethics, in Terry Nardin & David R. Mapel, Traditions of International Ethics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 250-269.