"Rights protected" refers to those individual liberties that are safeguarded from violation by governmental authorities. These may include freedoms such as free speech, religion, press, assembly, petition, etc.
Related terms
Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that explicitly protect individual rights.
Constitutional Amendments: Changes or additions made to the original text of the Constitution, often done to expand or clarify certain rights.
Incorporation Doctrine: The legal principle that applies certain protections in the Bill of Rights against actions by state governments, not just the federal government.