Responsibilities of Individuals and Groups in Maintaining UDHR – SS1 Civic Education Lesson Note (First Term)

Maintaining the UDHR means protecting, respecting and promoting the rights it lists, and everyone has a part to play, from international bodies to a single student.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. name some organisations that help to maintain the UDHR;
2. identify the national bodies in Nigeria that protect human rights;
3. state the responsibilities of individuals in maintaining the UDHR;
4. state the responsibilities of groups in maintaining the UDHR.

What is the UDHR?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a statement of the basic rights and freedoms every human being is entitled to.

• Meaning: a list of rights that belong to all people, whatever their tribe, religion, gender or nationality.
• Origin: it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
• Content: it has 30 articles, covering rights such as life, liberty, equality and education.
• Maintaining the UDHR: protecting these rights and making sure they are respected in daily life.

Which rights does the UDHR cover?

Which organisations help to maintain the UDHR?

Organisations that maintain the UDHR work at two levels: international and national (in Nigeria).

Which internationally recognised organisations help to maintain the UDHR?

• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: the main UN office that promotes and protects human rights worldwide.
• Amnesty International: campaigns for people whose rights are abused and for the release of prisoners of conscience.
• International Labour Organization (ILO): works for workers’ rights and fair conditions of work.
• Lawyers Committee for Human Rights: lawyers who defend human rights and press for fair legal treatment.
• Human Rights Watch: investigates and reports on human rights abuses in many countries.
• United Nations Foundation: supports the work of the United Nations, including its human rights causes.

• Some of these agencies have branches in countries across the world, including Nigeria.

Which organisations in Nigeria help to protect human rights?

• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): receives complaints of abuse, investigates them and advises government.
• Office of the Public Defender (OPD): provides free legal help to people who cannot afford a lawyer.
• Legal Aid Council: gives free legal services to poor and needy Nigerians.
• Courts: hear cases of rights abuse and order the right remedy.
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs): groups such as the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) that defend citizens’ rights.

What is the difference between international and national bodies?

• International bodies: work across many countries to report abuses, campaign and set standards.
• National bodies: work inside Nigeria to receive complaints, give legal help and settle cases.

What are the responsibilities of individuals in maintaining the UDHR?

An individual maintains the UDHR by knowing, respecting and defending human rights in everyday life.

• Know your rights: every individual should be aware of their rights as a citizen and be ready to claim them lawfully.
• Keep learning: be ready to gain more knowledge about human rights.
• Join human rights groups: take part in groups that promote respect for all human rights.
• Vote wisely: vote for parties or candidates who believe in the protection of human rights.
• Respect others’ rights: do not abuse the rights of fellow human beings.
• Support victims: give financial help to victims of human rights abuse.
• Report abuses: tell the police, the NHRC or a human rights group when a right is violated.

What are examples of these responsibilities in school and at home?

• No bullying: a student respects the dignity and safety of classmates.
• Equal treatment: students do not treat others badly because of tribe, religion or gender.
• Free speech: a student listens to other people’s opinions without threats.
• Child rights: parents send children to school and do not abuse them.

How can a person report a human rights abuse?

1. Note what happened, who was involved, and the date, time and place.
2. Report to the police, the NHRC or a human rights NGO.
3. Ask the Legal Aid Council or the OPD for free legal help if you cannot pay a lawyer.
4. Take the case to court if the matter is not settled.

What are the responsibilities of groups in maintaining the UDHR?

Groups maintain the UDHR by making rules, giving justice, educating people and speaking up for victims.

• Government: makes laws that protect rights and punishes those who break them.
• Courts: judge fairly and give justice to victims of abuse.
• Police and other security agencies: protect lives and property and treat suspects humanely.
• Mass media: report abuses truthfully and educate the public on rights.
• Schools: teach students about human rights and practise fairness in school.
• Religious bodies: teach respect for human life and dignity.
• Human rights groups and NGOs: monitor abuses, offer legal aid and campaign for victims.
• Community groups and trade unions: speak up for members and stand against unfair treatment.

Evaluation

1. Name four internationally recognised organisations that help to maintain the UDHR.
2. Name two organisations in Nigeria that help to protect human rights.
3. State four responsibilities of individuals in maintaining the UDHR.
4. How can a voter help to protect human rights during an election?
5. State three groups, other than individuals, that help to maintain the UDHR and say what each does.

Assignment

List any five responsibilities of individuals in maintaining the UDHR and explain one of them in two sentences.