What is the primary purpose of human rights law?

The primary purpose of human rights law is to ensure fundamental rights and freedoms for individuals. This body of law is designed to protect individuals from abuses by the state and to promote justice, dignity, and equality. It encompasses both civil and political rights, such as the right to life, freedom of speech, and the right to a fair trial, as well as economic, social, and cultural rights. By establishing these rights, human rights law aims to create a framework that safeguards individuals against potential overreach or oppression by governmental authorities, thereby fostering a society where freedom and justice are upheld.

The other responses do not reflect the core aim of human rights law. Limiting individual freedoms would contradict the very essence of such laws, which are founded on promoting and protecting those freedoms. Maximizing government power runs counter to the objectives of human rights legislation, which seeks to check government authority to prevent abuses. Finally, while human rights law can have implications for economic activities, it is not primarily about regulating these activities; rather, it focuses on ensuring that individuals are treated with dignity and respect in social, political, and economic contexts.