They are in alienable. That is to say, incapable of being separated from the individual possessing them. Literally, they cannot be alienated (separated) from the person possessing them.
Your real property (home, money, possessions, even spouse, children, or other family) may be taken from you and given to someone else.
The word inalienable refers not to rights which may not be taken, but which can not be taken.
You may be deprived of these rights, but nobody else can take possession of them.
It's a subtle difference, and one few people understand, particularly in the context of natural, civil, or universal human rights, which can be argued to have a moral or socially beneficial basis, but may still be alienable.
There's also a fair amount of debate over the self-evidence, alienability, and/or naturalness of these rights. Of of their status should they become so (say, through technology).
They are in alienable. That is to say, incapable of being separated from the individual possessing them. Literally, they cannot be alienated (separated) from the person possessing them.
Your real property (home, money, possessions, even spouse, children, or other family) may be taken from you and given to someone else.
The word inalienable refers not to rights which may not be taken, but which can not be taken.
You may be deprived of these rights, but nobody else can take possession of them.
It's a subtle difference, and one few people understand, particularly in the context of natural, civil, or universal human rights, which can be argued to have a moral or socially beneficial basis, but may still be alienable.
There's also a fair amount of debate over the self-evidence, alienability, and/or naturalness of these rights. Of of their status should they become so (say, through technology).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inalienable_rights