Glossary Duty bearers Duty-bearers are those actors who have a particular obligation or responsibility to respect, promote and realise human rights and to abstain from human rights violations. The term is most used to refer to State actors, but non-State actors such as business are also duty-bearers. Rights-holders Rights-holders are individuals or social groups that have entitlements in relation to specific duty-bearers. In general terms, all human beings are rights-holders under the International Bill of Human Rights.5 5 The International Bill of Human Rights refers to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. New Zealand has affirmed the Universal Declaration and ratified both International Covenants 9