Definition

A negative right is a right that requires others refrain from interfering with you.

Discussion

Negative rights require nothing from anyone, other than leaving you alone. They require people to not do something towards you.

They are a right whereupon a person can act without forcing someone else to do anything for them to do that action.

From a functional description, negative rights means everyone can exercise the right at the same time without contradiction.

Everyone can enjoy the right to life at the same time. Everyone can enjoy the right to their property at the same time.

Negative rights are universal.

Other examples of negative rights include the right not to be aggressed against and the right to free speech.