Final answer:
Human rights have been historically and are currently under threat in various parts of the world. Examples include Jim Crow laws, online censorship, and the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Protection of human rights requires constitutional safeguards, independent judiciaries, and active civil societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout history and continuing into the modern era, human rights have often been threatened or violated across the globe. Especially during times of crisis, governments may encroach upon civil liberties and rights. For instance, Jim Crow laws in the United States historically infringed upon the social rights of African Americans, denying them access to certain public spaces and services. In contemporary times, issues such as online censorship in countries where the government restricts speech and the use of terms like "human rights", as well as the treatment of prisoners and questions surrounding the rights of the accused in the wake of events like the September 11 attacks, show that the struggle for securing human rights and civil liberties continues.
Actions such as the abuse and torture of prisoners seen in incidents like those at Abu Ghraib prison further showcase breaches of human rights on an international scale. Domestically, civil liberties like freedom of expression and privacy might be at risk due to government policies purportedly aimed at national security, which can sometimes lead to a narrowing of the space for free speech and criticism of governmental actions.
Therefore, the vigilance and advocacy for human rights remain crucial as these rights can be fragile in the face of government overreach, especially during periods of heightened security concerns or crises. To protect these rights, mechanisms like constitutional safeguards, independent judiciaries, and vigilant civil societies are often proposed as solutions to prevent abuses and ensure human rights are upheld.