What document protects the natural rights of human beings in the United States?

The United States Constitution is the foundational legal document that establishes the framework of government and protects the rights of individuals. Its main purpose is to outline the structure of government and define the relationship between the federal government and the states, as well as between the government and the people. While it does provide a system of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power, the most direct protections of individual liberties are found in the Bill of Rights, which is an integral part of the Constitution.

Though the Declaration of Independence articulates the concept of natural rights, it primarily serves as a statement of principles justifying the colonies' separation from Britain rather than a governing document. The Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, explicitly enumerates certain rights that citizens have, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, focusing on protecting individual liberties more directly than the Constitution does in its broader framework. The Articles of Confederation, while an important historical document, did not adequately protect individual rights and was eventually replaced by the current Constitution due to its weaknesses.

Thus, while the Constitution is key to establishing the government's framework and does include mechanisms for protecting rights, the combined significance of the Constitution and its amendments is crucial in safeguarding the natural rights