Free sample essay on the importance of Human Rights. Human right to live and exist, the right to equality, including equality before law, non-discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, the right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, the right to practice any profession or occupation, the right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labour, child labour and trafficking in human beings, the right to freedom of conscience, practice and propagation of religion and the right to legal remedies for enforcement of the above are basic human rights. These rights and freedoms are the very foundations of democracy.
Obviously, in a democracy the maximum number of the freedoms and the rights are enjoyed by the people. Besides these are political rights, which include the right to contest an election and to vote freely for a candidate of one’s choice. Human rights are a benchmark of a developed and civilized society. But rights cannot exist in a vacuum. They have their corresponding duties. Rights and duties are the two aspects of the same coin.
Liberty never means license. Rights pre-suppose a rule of law, where each and everyone in the society follow a code of conduct and behaviour for the good of all. It is the sense of duty and tolerance that gives meaning to rights. Rights have their basis in the principle of live and let live. For example, my right to speech and expression involves my duty to allow others to enjoy the same freedom of speech and expression. Rights and duties are inextricably interlinked and interdependent. A perfect balance is to be maintained between the two. Whenever there is imbalance, there is chaos. A sense of tolerance, propriety and adjustment is a must for enjoyment of rights and freedom. Human life sans basic freedom and rights is meaningless. Freedom is the most precious possession without which life would become intolerable, a mere abject and slavish existence. In this context the famous and oft-quoted lines of Milton from his Paradise Lost come to mind: “To reign is worth ambition though in hell/Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.”
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But then liberty cannot survive without its corresponding obligations and duties. An individual is a part of society in which he enjoys certain rights and freedom only because of fulfillment of certain duties and obligations towards others. Thus, freedom is based on mutual respect for each other’s rights. A fine balance is to be maintained between the two or there will be anarchy and bloodshed. The human rights can best be preserved and protected in a society steeped in morality, discipline and social order.
Violation of human rights is most common in totalitarian and despotic states. In the theocratic states there is much persecution and violation in the name of religion and the minorities suffer the most. Even in democracies, violation and infringement of human rights and freedom is widespread. The women, children and the weaker sections of the society are victims of these transgressions and violence. The U.N. Commission on Human Rights’ main concern is to protect and promote human rights and freedom in the nations of the world. In its various sessions held from time to time in Geneva, it adopts various measures to encourage world-wide observations of these basic human rights and freedom. It calls on its member states to furnish information regarding measures complied with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights whenever there is a complaint of violation of these rights. It reviews human rights situations in various countries of the world and initiates remedial measures when required. It was much concerned and dismayed at the apartheid being practiced in the South Africa till recently.
The Secretary General then declared, “The United Nations cannot tolerate apartheid. It is a legalized system of racial discrimination, violating the most basic human rights in South Africa. It contravenes the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter. That is why over the last forty years, my predecessors and I have urged the Government of South Africa to dismantle it.” Now, although apartheid is no longer practiced in that country, there are other forms of apartheid being blatantly practiced worldwide. For example, sex-apartheid is most rampant. Women are subject to abuse and exploitation. They are not treated equally; they are paid less than their male counterparts for the same kind of jobs. In employment, promotions, and possession of property, etc., they are most discriminated against. Similarly, the rights of children are not observed properly. They are abused and exploited. They are forced to work hard in very dangerous situations. They are sexually assaulted and exploited, sold and bonded for labour.
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The Commission has found that religious persecution, torture, summary executions without judicial trials, intolerance, slavery-like practices, kidnapping, and political disappearance, etc., are being practiced even in the so-called advanced countries and societies. The continued acts of extreme violence, terrorism and extremism in various parts of the world like, Pakistan, India, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Somalia, Algeria, Lebanon, Chile, China, and Myanmar, etc., by the governments, terrorists, religious fundamentalists, and mafia outfits, etc., is a matter of grave concern for the entire human race. Violation of freedom and rights by terrorist groups backed by states is one of the most difficult problems being faced by the society. For example, Pakistan has been openly collaborating with various terrorist groups, indulging in extreme violence in India and other countries. In this regard the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva adopted a significant resolution, which was co-sponsored by India, focusing on gross violation of human rights perpetrated by terrorist groups backed by some states.
The resolution expressed its solidarity with the victims of terrorism and proposed that a U.N. Fund for victims of terrorism be established soon. The Indian delegation on this occasion recalled that, according to the Vienna Declaration also, terrorism is nothing but the destruction of human rights for it shows total disregard for the lives of innocent men, women and children. The delegation further argued that terrorism cannot be treated as a mere crime because it is systematic and widespread in its killing of civilians. Violation of human rights, whether by states, terrorists, separatist groups, armed fundamentalists or extremists, is condemnable. Regardless of the motivation, such acts should be condemned categorically in all forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever they are committed, as acts of aggression aimed at the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedom and democracy. The Indian delegation also underlined concerns about the growing connection between terrorist groups as well as the consequent commission of serious crimes, including rape, torture, arson, looting, murder, kidnappings, blasts, and extortions, etc.
Violation of human rights and freedom gives rise to alienation, dissatisfaction, frustration and acts of terrorism. The governments run by very ambitious and self-seeking people often use repressive measures and find violence and terror as an effective means of control. But state terrorism, violence and transgression of human freedom is a very dangerous strategy. This has been the background of all revolutions in the world. Whenever there is systematic and widespread state persecution and violation of human rights, rebellion and revolution have taken place. The French, American, Russian and Chinese Revolutions are glowing examples of human history. The first war of India’s Independence in 1857 was a result of a long and systematic oppression of the Indian masses. The rapidly increasing discontent, frustration and alienation with the British rule gave rise to strong national feelings and demand for political privileges and rights. Ultimately the Indian people, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, made the British to leave India, setting the country free and independent.
The human rights and freedom ought to be preserved at all cost. Their curtailment degrades human life. Human rights may be reshaped according to the political needs of the country but they should not be distorted out of shape. Tyranny and regimentation, etc., are inimical of humanity and should be resisted effectively and united. The sanctity of human values, freedom and rights must be preserved and protected. Human Rights Commissions should be established in all the countries to take care of human freedom and rights. In cases of violation of human rights, affected individuals should be properly compensated and it should be ensured that these do not take place in future. These commissions can become effective instruments in percolating the sensitivity to human rights down to the lowest levels of the governments and administrations. The formation of National Humans Rights Commission in October 1993 in India is really commendable and should be followed by other countries.
