Here is the 10-mark answer for UNIT 5 – Contemporary Issues on
Human Rights, expanded into a detailed format that covers the
topics comprehensively for a 7-page exam answer.
✅ UNIT 5 – Contemporary Issues on Human Rights
(10 Marks – Full Answer)
🟦 1. Introduction
Human rights are essential for the dignity and equality of
individuals. Contemporary human rights issues reflect ongoing
struggles and injustices that persist globally. These challenges are
related to the rights of children, women, Dalits, refugees, bonded
laborers, and the use of capital punishment. In India, fundamental
rights, directive principles of state policy, and fundamental duties
guide the protection of these rights. The National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) plays a crucial role in ensuring that these rights
are safeguarded.
🟦 2. Children’s Rights
✅ Key Rights:
Right to Education: Children have the fundamental right to free
and compulsory education up to 14 years under Right to
Education Act (2009).
Protection from Exploitation: Child labor is prohibited, and
children have the right to be free from exploitation, including
trafficking.
Health and Development: Ensuring access to adequate
nutrition, shelter, and healthcare.
✅ International Framework:
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) is a global
treaty that defines the rights of children and urges states to
ensure their protection and development.
✅ Legal Protections in India:
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act,
2012).
🟦 3. Women’s Rights
✅ Key Rights:
Equality and Non-Discrimination: Women have the right to
equal opportunities in employment, education, and political
participation.
Protection Against Violence: Laws against domestic violence,
sexual harassment, and dowry.
Reproductive Rights: The right to make decisions regarding
family and reproductive health.
✅ Legal Measures in India:
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005).
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2013).
Equal Remuneration Act (1976) to ensure equal pay for equal
work.
🟦 4. Dalits' Rights
✅ Key Issues:
Caste-based Discrimination: Dalits, historically known as
“Untouchables,” face discrimination in education,
employment, and social interactions.
Violence and Social Exclusion: They are often victims of
violence, humiliation, and denial of access to basic resources.
✅ Legal Protections in India:
SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (1989): Aimed at
preventing atrocities against Dalits and punishing those
responsible for caste-based violence.
Article 17: Abolition of Untouchability under the Indian
Constitution.
Reservation in Education and Employment: The Constitution
provides for affirmative action for Dalits in government jobs and
educational institutions.
🟦 5. Bonded Labour and Wages
✅ Bonded Labour:
Definition: Bonded labor occurs when an individual is forced to
work to repay a loan. Often, the debt is inherited by children,
and the individual is subjected to exploitation and forced labor
for life.
✅ Legal Protections:
Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976: This law aims to
eradicate bonded labor, making it illegal and providing
rehabilitation for those freed from this form of servitude.
Minimum Wages Act (1948): Ensures that all workers are paid a
fair wage and are protected from exploitation.
🟦 6. Refugee Rights
✅ Definition of Refugees:
Refugees are individuals who have been forced to flee their
home country due to war, persecution, or natural disasters.
✅ Rights:
Right to Safety: Refugees have the right to asylum and
protection from refoulement (forced return to their country of
origin).
Basic Needs: Right to food, shelter, health care, and education.
✅ Global Framework:
The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol define
refugee rights and the responsibilities of countries in providing
protection and assistance.
✅ India’s Position:
India has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, but it
provides asylum to refugees, especially from neighboring
countries, based on humanitarian grounds.
🟦 7. Capital Punishment
✅ Definition:
Capital punishment (death penalty) is the legal imposition of
death as a penalty for certain crimes like murder, terrorism,
and rape.
✅ Global Debate:
There is an ongoing debate about its ethicality, with arguments
against it due to the risk of wrongful conviction, inhuman
treatment, and irreversibility.
Abolitionist countries argue that it violates the right to life
under the UDHR.
✅ India’s Stance:
In India, capital punishment is allowed under the Indian Penal
Code, but it is used in rarest of rare cases as outlined by the
Supreme Court.
Recent executions include terrorism-related cases, such as the
2001 Parliament attack.
🟦 8. Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution
✅ Part III of the Indian Constitution:
Fundamental rights ensure the dignity and freedom of
individuals.
✅ Key Rights:
1. Right to Equality (Article 14–18).
2. Right to Freedom (Article 19–22).
3. Right against Exploitation (Article 23–24).
4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25–28).
5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Article 29–30).
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32).
🟦 9. Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
✅ Part IV of the Indian Constitution:
DPSPs serve as guidelines for the government to ensure social
justice and welfare of the people.
✅ Key Principles:
1. Right to Work: Ensuring the right to employment.
2. Free and Compulsory Education: Ensuring all children can
receive education.
3. Health and Welfare: Right to health, nutrition, and social
security.
4. Protection of Environment: Promoting eco-friendly policies.
✅ Importance:
Although non-justiciable, these principles influence
policymaking and government programs.
🟦 10. Fundamental Duties
✅ Added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 (Article 51A):
11 Fundamental Duties to promote patriotism, responsibility,
and respect for the Constitution.
✅ Examples of Duties:
1. Respect national symbols (Flag, Anthem).
2. Promote harmony among people.
3. Protect the environment and natural resources.
4. Develop scientific temper and humanitarian values.
🟦 11. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
✅ Establishment:
Created in 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act.
✅ Purpose:
Investigates human rights violations.
Provides recommendations for government actions.
Provides compensation to victims of human rights abuses.
✅ Powers:
Can summon individuals and agencies involved in rights
violations.
Can issue recommendations, but it lacks the authority to
enforce them directly.
🟦 12. Conclusion
Human rights are essential for every individual's dignity and
freedom. Issues like child rights, women’s rights, and Dalit rights are
ongoing struggles in many societies. At the same time, refugee
rights, bonded labor, and capital punishment remain central
challenges in global human rights advocacy. In India, the
Constitution’s Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and
Fundamental Duties guide the protection of human rights, while the
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) ensures oversight.
🔚 Key Tips for Exam:
Always mention laws and acts relevant to each issue (e.g.,
POCSO, Bonded Labour Act).
Refer to international conventions and Indian Constitution
articles.
Provide examples (e.g., recent refugee cases, court rulings on
capital punishment).
This detailed response covers the major topics of Unit 5 and will help
you prepare for the exam. Let me know if you'd like any further
details!
