Human rights are a set of basic rights and freedoms that are considered to be universal to all human beings, regardless of their nationality, race, gender, status. The whole concept behind human rights is to ensure that all human beings are treated equally, and that their basic needs are met. These rights are essential for the protection of individuals against abuse, discrimination.
Human rights include civil and political rights, economic and social rights, some of which include right to private and family life, freedom of movement, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, freedom from discrimination, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, right to vote and be voted for. These rights are protected by governments, civil society and organisations.
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood,” – an excerpt of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, states. This means that everybody is born free and equal in pride and rights. We’re born the same way and have the same rights as everyone.
The whole reason behind human rights is for humans all over the world to be respected and treated fairly not because they have to but because they’re human. The right to be human refers to the dignity and worth of every human being, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. It is closely linked with the concept of human rights. Society should not judge or discriminate against individuals based on their race, religion, sexuality, gender, or any other characteristics.
We live in a society, in a world where these human rights are disregarded every day. In society, there is a distinction among individuals; there is the high class, the middle class and the lower class. Those in the high class look down on those in the middle and low class. Those in the middle class also look down on people in the low class. People with high positions in society feel they have the power to do whatever they like. Even the police take part in these violations. There have been so many cases where individuals have been harassed by the police. Individuals are being detained by the police for no reason, thereby disregarding their freedom of movement. Individuals are arrested, put in custody of the police for speaking against injustice in the likes of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a British-Nigerian political activist.
During the EndSARS protest of 2020, which began as a result of police brutality, harassment and unfair treatment by the police, civilians who took part in these protests were shot at by the Nigerian Army, lives were lost, their right to freedom of speech, freedom of movement, right to life were violated. Not much was done to rectify these because at the end power, popularity, triumphed over all. There was no urgent due process to curb such anomaly. Corruption of power was still in-depth in the state system. When a person violates some else’s rights, do they still have theirs? It’s easy to have human rights the moment you’re born because you’re human, you speak a language, and you are walking. Being human is easy but acting human is different.
What’s the point of human rights in a country where they are disregarded and overlooked? What’s the worth of human rights in a society where most individuals are not aware of these said rights? “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes, we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant,” says Elie Wiesel.
Chika Christabel Muna is a student of English and Literary Studies, Delta State University, Abraka
