The subject of rights has always entailed conceptual and interpretive complexities. On the one hand, historical debates about the concept of rights, and on the other hand, the ambiguity and necessity of modern international relations, have always made rights a controversial issue. In international relations, concepts are theoretically and discursively diverse, and research in this realm always begins by defining themes and contents. Essentially, when it comes to rights in international relations, there is a challenge between whether individuals or groups inherently have rights against power (government), or whether they gain rights by fulfilling specified duties set out by power (government). This very issue constitutes the hypothesis of this study. This article first attempts to explore the concepts of power and rights in international relations. Then, in line with the raised questions, it delves into texts in the realm of power and rights to examine propositions and determine the origin of this power-rights duality, and whether there is a complementary or dissociative relationship between these two concepts. Finally, by briefly examining Western human rights from the main theoretical schools of international relations, it demonstrates which side Western human rights discourse stands on and whether its nature is closer to pure defense of rights or imposition of duties.