Even the primates have the most basic understanding of rights. But we'll put religion aside for the moment.
Let us examine the right of self defense. It is exercised in every form of life found on this planet. It does not require a government to give this life the right to defend itself. Some life will even use deadly means to defend its own life. The puffer fish will inflate into a ball of deadly poisonous spines that will kill most things that try to eat it.
Fun Fact
Pufferfish are generally believed to be the second most poisonous
vertebrates in the world, after the
golden poison frog. Certain internal organs, such as liver, and sometimes the skin, are highly
toxic to most animals when eaten; nevertheless, the meat of some species is considered a delicacy in
Japan (as 河豚, pronounced as
fugu),
Korea (as
bok), and
China (as 河豚
hétún) when prepared by chefs who know which part is safe to eat and in what quantity.
Tetraodontidae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
However, back to the topic. Contrary to some quarters of Libertarian belief of Democrat government construct for the betterment of all, the puffer fish too has no government, imaginary or otherwise. From whence do they derive these rights you may ask?
Well, that answer is simple. They are what is termed, "Natural Rights".
Now, before the rest of you get too confused -- do not confuse the fact that in a game of survival, if you happen to be eaten, then your rights cease to exist, or that is it somehow proof that the rights never existed to begin with. Failure to ensure the rights you have does not negate that they exist, or that you should not attempt to exercise those rights in the face of real threats to those rights. Threats such as an overreaching government that illicitly meddles in the affairs of citizens for the nefarious purpose of gaining more power.
Are we clear now?