The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has ruled that human rights come with positive obligations, not just negative ones. This means states must actively protect against human rights violations, not just avoid causing them. The Court has recognized various positive obligations, like preventing violations, investigating and punishing them, and providing reparations. By interpreting the American Convention on Human Rights this way, the Court is leading the way in international human rights law. If the Court continues this approach, human rights could become a key part of how all behavior is governed.