Rights can be violated, of course, but the key is that there has to be some potential punishment for doing so. If you're in Saudi Arabia and they decide to execute atheists, and they do so with the full approval of the state, then those people did not have the freedom to practice religion as they saw fit.
On the other hand, if you steal from someone and they arrest you, then that person had the right to be free from your theft of their property.
You can assert whatever rights you want, but they aren't rights until other people agree that you have them and collectively decide that no attempt at punishment will follow you exercising them.
On the other hand, if you steal from someone and they arrest you, then that person had the right to be free from your theft of their property.
You can assert whatever rights you want, but they aren't rights until other people agree that you have them and collectively decide that no attempt at punishment will follow you exercising them.