How are civil rights defined?

Civil rights are defined as rights that protect individuals from discrimination based on characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or disability. These rights are essential in ensuring that all individuals have equal access to opportunities and are treated fairly under the law. The focus of civil rights is to prevent unjust treatment and to promote equality, which is foundational to a democratic society.

While other choices touch upon important concepts, they are not comprehensive enough to encapsulate the full scope of civil rights. For instance, rights for political participation primarily concern the ability to engage in political processes such as voting and running for office, but they do not address the broader issue of protection from discrimination. Similarly, rights pertaining to economic freedom and rights to own property are indeed important but are more specific aspects of the rights individuals hold, rather than a blanket definition of civil rights as a whole.

Thus, defining civil rights through the lens of protecting individuals from discrimination captures their essence and legal framework rooted in equality and justice.