WEEK 8
1. Meaning/definition of human rights
2. Characteristics and categories of human rights
3. Limitation of human rights
4. Limitation of movement and lack of freedom of speech
MEANING/DEFINITION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights are 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 to irrespective
of Color, language, race, age, sex or geographical location. These rights and privileges was
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. Unversality: Human rights are the same in all countries of the world irrespective of ethnicity,
race, nationality, religion, gender (sex) or political division. It is applicable to all that has to do
with human freedom in the society.
3. Indisputability: Human rights cannot be challenged or denied anyone since they are
entrenched
4. Indivisibility: Human rights like the dignity of persons, descent living and freedoms should
be enjoyed by all citizens in its entirety.
5. Human rights are always entrenched in the constitution. This strengthens and
safeguards the Fundamental Human rights.
CLASSIFICATION AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CATEGORIES OF HUMAN RIGHTS
1. Political Rights
(a) Right to vote and be voted for.
(b) Right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(c) Right to fair and equal hearing.
(d) Right to hold public office,etc.
2. Economic Rights
(a) Right to ownership of property.
(b) Right to work and receive commensurate compensation.
(c) Right to freedom from slavery and forced labour.
(d) 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:
(a) Right to freedom of movement.
(b) Right to private and family life.
(c) Right to freedom of expression and the press.
(d) Right to dignity of human person.
(e) Right to freedom from torture, inhuman or degrading punishment.
(f) Right to education.
(g) Right to freedom from unlawful imprisonment
(h) Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
(i) Right to freedom from deprivation of personal liberty
(k) Right to life, etc.
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4. Social Rights:
(a) Right to private family person
(b) Right to freedom of expression
(c) Right to health care
(d) Right to shelter
(e) freedom of conscience
(f) freedom of Association
5. Cultural Rights: These allows individuals to preserve their customs and traditions and as
well practice 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 worthwhile 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 act.
3. Wars: War situations can result in the denial of people's freedom of movement, personal
liberty, dignity of 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 past record of either
criminal or violent offences.
5. Curfew: Sometimes, either 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 in order 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 carrying out investigation of cases of
different kinds because whatever such a citizen says at that point in time 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 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 psychiatrist homes for proper cure
and this act puts limitation to the citizen's freedom of movement, expression, association, etc.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Emergency period is that 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
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 suspended. A
military sole administrator is appointed to oversee the area where state of emergency is
declared.
4. The constitution is suspended and there i S no absolute respect for rule of law.
5. Economic activities of such area are being slowed down because some companies or market
cannot open for business due to insecurity.
