Essay On Human Rights - School Essay

Set 1: Essay On Human Rights

The right to live and exist, 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, right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly association movement, residence, right to practice any profession or occupation, right against exploitation prohibiting all forms of forced labour, child labour and trafficking in human beings, right to freedom of conscience, practice and propagation of religion and right to legal remedies for enforcement of the above are the basic human rights.

These rights and freedoms are the very foundation of democracy. Obviously, in a democracy the maximum number of the freedoms and rights are enjoyed by the people. Besides there are political rights which include to contest an election and to vote freely for a candidate of one’s choice. Human rights are a benchmark of developed and civilized society. But rights cannot exist in vacuum. They have their corresponding duties. Rights and duties are the two aspects of the same coin. Liberty never means licence. Rights pre-suppose a rule of law where each and every one in the society follows 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 existence on 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 freedoms.

Human life sans basic freedoms 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 resign is worth ambition though in hell/Better to resign in hell, than serve in heaven.” 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 freedoms only because of fulfillment of certain duties and obligations towards others. Thus, freedoms is based on mutual respect for each other’s rights. A fine balance is to be maintained between the two or there, would be anarchy and bloodshed.

The human rights can best be preserved and protected in society steeped in morality, discipline and social order. No freedom can be ever thought of without its corresponding obligation. The rights and freedoms of an individual must be adjusted to those of others so that an individual does not become a social nuisance.

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 freedoms is widespread. The women, children and the weaker sections of the society are victims of these trangressions and violence.

The U.N. Commission on Human Rights’s main concern is to protect and promote human rights and freedoms 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

human rights, whether by states, terrorists, separatist groups, armed fundamentalists or extremists, is condemnable. Such acts of violation should be categorically condemned regardless of their motivation, in all its forms and manifestations wherever and by whomever they are committed as acts of aggression aimed at the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy threatening the pluralistic civil societies.

The Indian delegation also underlined with 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, extortions etc.

Violation of human rights and freedoms give 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 and obedience from the masses. But state terrorism, violence and transgression of human freedom is a very dangerous strategy. In the background of all world revolutions there has been this strategy.

Whenever there has been systemic and widespread state persecution and violation of human rights, there broke out rebellion and the revolution took place. The French, American, Russian and Chinese Revolutions are growing 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 discontment, 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 Britishers to leave India bag and baggage and the country became free and independent.

The human rights and freedoms 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, regimentation etc. are inimical of humanity and should be resisted effectively and unitedly. The sanctity of human values, freedoms and rights must be preserved and protected.

Human Rights Commissions may be established in all the countries to take care of human freedoms 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 Human Rights Commission in October, 1993 in India is really commendable and should be followed by other countries.

Set 2: Essay On Human Rights

Right is not what someone gives us, it is what no one can be deprived of it. Human Rights are civil liberties and freedom. These liberties are authorized over all human beings. Supporters of Human Rights state that everyone possesses specific rights simply because they are humans. All human beings are born free. They enjoy equal self-respect and rights. People should act towards each other in a spirit of goodwill, respect, harmony and unity.

Human Rights can be explained as those freedoms of life that must be available to all individuals regardless of religion, language, social status, caste, race, sex and nationality. In India, basic Human Rights are taken away from a vast section of population. Thousands of cases of domestic violence, dowry deaths and child abuse take place. Thus, more efforts are required for securing basic Human Rights of the people.

Human Rights can be traced back to recent history of Europe. The peasant’s demands in Germany presented through the Twelve Articles are considered as the first record of Human Rights in the world. During 19th century, Human Rights gained momentum over the issue of slavery. Wilberforce a social reformer in Britain worked towards abolishing slavery. This was achieved in the form of Slave Trade Act of 1807 and the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. Between 1777 and 1804 in America, all the northern states had abolished the institution of slavery.

The establishment of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the first Geneva Agreements in 1864 laid the foundations of International Humanitarian Law. After the end of World War in 1918, the League of Nations was established in the following year. Huge losses of life, property and abuses of Human Rights had taken place during the war. The goals of the League included avoiding wars and such destruction in future. It worked towards settling disputes between countries through cooperation and diplomacy,collective security and improving worldwide wellbeing. Slowly many of the rights were promoted. Later the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was included.

During last few years, the world has witnessed severe hostility and violation of Human Rights. The duty now lies in our hands to prevent the misuse of power. The rights of the common people must be protected. Only a determined effort on our part along with Non-Governmental and Governmental organizations will help in protecting the Human Rights.

Set 3: Essay On Human Rights

Human beings are born equal in dignity and rights. These are moral claims which are present in all human individuals by virtue of their humanity alone. These claims are formulated in what is known as human rights.

Human life and human dignity have been disregarded throughout history and continue to be mis-used even to-day. ‘

Yet, even though laws have been made to safeguard a human being’s dignity, discrimination continues to exist because of prejudice, limitations, ignorance and man’s’ own greed for control and power.

These rights have been needed to defend slavery, ill treatment on the grounds of sex, race, colour, descent, religion, caste, and class.

The International Bill of Human Rights was founded on10th December, 1948, when the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ was founded by the General Assembly as a common standard of achievement for all people and nations.

The rights are of two kinds-civil and political rights. These include, the right to life, liberty, security, freedom from torture and slavery, DELLA equality, protection, fair trial, right to marriage, freedom of thought, expression, religion.