SS1 Third Term Government Senior Secondary School
Fundamental human rights
The Meaning of Fundamental Human Rights
Right may be defined as certain privileges that every citizen enjoys in a country irrespective
of sex, tribe or creed. These rights are natural, civil, political, and legal. The state has the
right to protect and guarantee these rights. Fundamental human rights are usually
contained in the constitution of a country and they must be respected and protected as far
as the state exists and recognizes such rights in a democratic society. Human rights a thus
conceived as universal that is applicable everywhere.
The Fundamental Human Rights
The fundamental human rights include:
1. The right to life:This entails that everybody has the right to life. No one is
permitted to take another person’s life.
2. The right to dignity of human person:Every one’s dignity must be
respected. No one should be tortured, enslaved or forced to do work.
3. The right to fair hearing:Any citizen who is accused of having committed
an offence must be given the opportunity to defend himself or to employ
the service of a lawyer.
4. The right to private and family life:Every citizen should be protected
from unwanted attention. Thus, no one may forcefully enter the home of
another citizen. Nobody should read another citizen’s letter or listen to their
conversation on the phone.
5. The right to conscience and religion:Every citizen is free to think what
he wants to believe in and practice any religion.
6. The freedom of expression and press:Every citizen has the right to hold
his opinion and to express it. He may also establish and print newspapers
or books.
7. The right to freedom of assembly and association:This implies that
every citizen is free to associate with any group as well as hold meetings
which are not detrimental to human and societal peace and progress.
8. The right to freedom of movement:Nigerians are free to move
throughout Nigeria and reside anywhere of their choice.
9. The right to freedom from discrimination:This implies that no citizen
should be treated unfairly because of their place of origin, sex, religion or
political opinion, etc.
The Categories of Fundamental Human Rights
Civic Rights
1. Right to life:This means that every human being has the right to live.
2. Right to personal liberty:This recognizes freedom from unlawful arrest,
intimidation and detention.
3. Right to dignity of human person:The dignity of the individual persons
should be respected.
4. Right to fair hearing:All citizens who are alleged of any offence must be
given the right to be heard in the law court. This will enable the suspect to
defend himself/herself in the court of law.
5. Right to freedom of movement:All citizens in the country should have
equal rights of freedom of movement from one part of the country to the
other without restriction.
6. Right to freedom from slavery:Citizens of a democratic state must be
free from any form of slavery and force labour which may lead to denial of
their rights
7. Right to freedom of speech/expression and publication (press): This
implies freedom to say or air one’s own opinion without restriction or
censor, slander or libel.
Social Rights
1. Right to education:This means right to enjoy basic education
2. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion:Every human
being has right to any religion of his choice. In addition to enjoyment of
freedom of thought and conscience.
3. Right to private and family life:This means that every human being is
entitled to enjoy family life without any disturbance.
4. Right to social life and social amenities:It means that citizens has the
right to live together and free to enjoy all facilities as provided by
the government, like water, electricity, education, communication, health
facilities, etc.
Political Rights
1. Right to vote and be voted for: This means you can vote and be voted
for. You can vie for any public office or exercise voting right by voting for
any candidate of your choice.
2. Right to serve in any public office.
3. Right to criticize the government: This must be constructive and not
destructive or abusive.
4. Right to join any political party of your choice.
5. Right to freedom to peaceful assembly and association.
Economic Rights
1. Right to own property: Every human being has the right to aspire or to
actually own property.
2. Right to gainful employment:It means right to work in any part of the
country.
3. Right against compulsory acquisition of property without adequate
compensation.
4. Right to establish any legitimate business of your choice.
5. Right to use resources:Every citizen has equal access to use natural,
financial, human and material resources in the country
Means (Ways) of Safeguarding Fundamental Human Rights
1. The constitution: The entrenchment of fundamental human right of citizens
in the constitution is a way of safeguarding their rights, e.g. right to life,
freedom of speech, etc.
2. Existence of the principles of the rule of law: The government under the
principles of the rule of law has an obligation in ensuring the existence of
civil liberty and equality of all citizens.
3. Independence of the Judiciary: For citizens to enjoy their rights, the
judiciary should be free from the interference and control of both the
executive and the legislature.
4. Freedom of the press: The press should be free to serve as the watchdog
for the rights of all citizens.
5. Activities of the opposition: The opposition, whether in government or
outside it, is a powerful instrument for protecting the rights of the citizens. It
makes government to be on its toes as per the rights of citizens.
6. Consciousness and vigilance of citizens over their rights: People must be
vigilant so as to be able to protect their rights.
7. Establishment of Human Rights Commission: E.g. OMBUDSMAN/Public
Complaint Commission.
8. Respect for international conventions on human rights of citizens.
9. Provision of legal aids to indigents or disabled members of the society to
ensure their protection from injustice.
10. Provision of social and economic facilities. E.g. schools, hospitals
and employment opportunities to ensure the well-being of citizens.
[Link] enforcement of law and order by the security agencies and
community.
12. Adherence to the doctrine of the separation of powers with effective
checks and balances. This intended to avoid undue interference and
abuse.
Limitations to Citizens’ Rights
1. Right to life can be limited by criminals being executed through due
process of law, war, disease, riot, disaster, etc.
2. Right to dignity of human person can be limited by law enforcement
agents’ brutality, ignorance, illiteracy, government’s power, insanity,
religion, culture, disaster, poverty, etc.
3. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion can be restricted by
the type of government in power, especially fascist or totalitarian
governments always restrict freedom.
4. Right to education can be limited by the type of government in power,
poverty or disease or police brutality.
5. Right to peaceful assembly and association can be limited by war, state of
emergency, disease, violence, law on cultism and secret societies, etc.
6. Right to freedom of movement can be limited by police arrest and
detention of suspects, imposition of curfew.
7. Right to freedom of discrimination can be limited by diseases, age, sex,
race, partisan politics, tribalism, etc.
