Human Rights I & II SS3 Civic Education Lesson Note

HUMAN RIGHTS

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, it set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

The Declaration was adopted by the UN General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 during its 183rd plenary meeting.

 IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS

1. Human rights ensure people have basic needs met
2. Human rights protect vulnerable groups from abuse
3. Human rights allow people to stand up to societal corruption
4. Human rights encourage freedom of speech and expression
5. Human rights give people the freedom to practise their religion (or not practise any)
6. Human rights allows people to love who they choose
7. Human rights encourage equal work opportunities
8. Human rights give people access to education
9. Human rights protect the environment
10. Human rights provide a universal standard that holds governments accountable

MEANING/DEFINITION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 

Human rights are the basic rights and privileges of citizens in a country as enshrined in the constitution. They are rights and freedoms in which every human being is entitled irrespective of Color, language, race, age, sex or geographical location. These rights and privileges were declared in 1789. 

CHARACTERISTICS AND CATEGORIES OF HUMAN RIGHTS 

1. Inalienability: Human rights cannot be taken from the citizens rather it is a national contract that should be enjoyed by all. 
2. Universality: Human rights are the same in all countries of the world irrespective of ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, gender (sex) or political division.  It applies to all that has to do with human freedom. 
3. Indisputability: Human rights cannot be challenged or denied anyone since they are entrenched 
4. Indivisibility: Human rights like the dignity of persons, decent living and freedoms should be enjoyed by all citizens in their entirety. 
5. Human rights are always entrenched in the constitution. This strengthens and safeguards Fundamental Human rights. 

 CLASSIFICATION AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CATEGORIES OF HUMAN RIGHTS 

1. Political Rights  

• Right to vote and be voted for. 
• Right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. 
• Right to fair and equal hearing. (d) Right to hold public office, etc. 

2. Economic Rights  

• Right to ownership of property. 
• Right to work and receive commensurate compensation. 
• Right to freedom from slavery and forced labour. 
• Right to just and favourable conditions of work, etc. 

3. Civic Rights 

The fundamental human rights which are classified as civic rights are as follows: 

• Right to freedom of movement. 
• Right to private and family life. 
• Right to freedom of expression and the press. 
• Right to the dignity of the human person. 
• Right to freedom from torture, inhuman or degrading punishment. 
• Right to education. 
• Right to freedom from unlawful imprisonment 
• Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion 
• Right to freedom from deprivation of personal liberty
• Right to life, etc. 

 4. Social Rights

• Right to private family person  
• Right to freedom of expression  
• Right to health care  
• Right to shelter  
• freedom of conscience 
• freedom of Association 

5. Cultural Rights: These allow individuals to preserve their customs and traditions and as well practise their unique way of life. 

LIMITATIONS TO HUMAN RIGHTS  

1. Being Detained by Law: A citizen’s right can be limited or denied if he or she commits any offence worthy of being detained by law.  
2. The Laws of Slander, Libel and Sedition: This is the denial or limitation of a citizen’s rights if found guilty of slander, libel and sedition of someone whose will appears to be against such an act.  
3. Wars: War situations can result in the denial of people’s freedom of movement, personal liberty, the dignity of the human person, freedom from future inhuman or degrading punishment, etc.  
4. Ban on a Politician: The rights of a citizen to vote and be voted for in any given election may be limited if he or she is a banned politician because of his or her record of either criminal or violent offences. 
5. Curfew: Sometimes, either the government or some groups of people like militants and terrorists may impose curfews which restrict the right of movement. 
6. State of Emergency: This is a situation where some parts of the constitution of a nation are suspended to restore peace and order. 
7. Death: People are denied their rights to life when they are condemned to death as a result of murder, armed robbery, terrorism, etc. 
8. The Police: Sometimes, a citizen’s right may be denied by the police, mostly the rights of expression and movement whenever the police are investigating cases of different kinds because whatever such a citizen says then can be used against him or her in the law court. 
9. Developmental Purposes: A citizen’s right to ownership of property, movement, etc. may be infringed upon by the government if the property is considered to be located in a developmental area.  
10. Contagious or Infectious Diseases Sometimes, people living with diseases of various kinds like HIV/AIDS, insanity, etc. are either detained in hospitals or psychiatric homes for proper cure and this act puts limitations on the citizen’s freedom of movement, expression, association, etc. 

STATE OF EMERGENCY 

An emergency period is the time when a state of emergency is declared in some part of the country or even the entire community in the case of war. The following are things that happen during the period of emergency: 

1. Limitation of movement:: There is imposition of curfew which restricts people from moving at a 
2. Lack of freedom of speech: particular time of the day. People cannot say what they like because of security tension and the fear that they can be arrested. 
3. Politically elected leaders are removed and the political/electoral process is suspended. A military sole administrator is appointed to oversee the area where a state of emergency is declared. 
4. The constitution is suspended and there is no absolute respect for the rule of law. 
5. Economic activities in such areas are being slowed down because some companies or markets cannot open for business due to insecurity.