Civics Form One Notes – Human Rights
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‘Human rights are basic things that all human beings are entitled to and which nobody should
interfere with. Such right includes life, ownership of property, education, marriage, healthcare and
housing. Others are equality before the law, security, freedom of association, privacy and freedom.
of worship.
In most countries, human rights are based on universal declaration of human rights. They ae also
{included inthe constitutions ofthe countries as the ill of rights. The bill of rights shows the rights
and freedoms that citizens have in their country. Freedom is the right to door say what ones wants,
without being stopped by anyone
‘The United Nations Universal Declaration of human rights
Aspects of human rights are defined inthe United Nations Universal Declaration of human rights,
‘This declaration was adapted and proclaimed by the general assembly ofthe United Nations on
10th December 1948. It has thirty points known as article These points ean be summarized into
the categories as follows
1. Civil and political rights
‘These are rights to life, liberty, recognition, fair and public hearing by an independent tribunal,
freedom of movement, freedom of thought, and freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.
2.Economic, social and cultural rights
‘These are rights to socal security, work, equal pay, education, rest, leisure, and cultural life
3.Environment and development rights
‘These ate rights that people have to live in an environment that is cleaned and free from pollution,
People also have aright to wealth and natural resources, self-determination and peace.
Right to equality
The constitution of Tanzania presents the right to equality in two parts as follows
(2) Equality ofall human beings ~The constitution state that all human beings are hor fee and
ae equal. It also state that every person has right to recognition and respect.
(b) Equality before the law ~In this part, the constitution provide the people with the right to be
treated fairly before the law and to be protected without any kindof discrimination
Right ole
The constitution presents tis right in four parts as explained below:
(2) Right to live The constitution states that every person has the right to live and have his or her
life respected by the society according to the law
(b) Right to personal freedom — According tothe constitution, everyone has the right to live as
the fee person, without being restricted by anyone else
(©) Right to privacy and personal security ~ According tothe constitution, every person has
right tobe respected and protected and communicate without public attention.
(@)_ Right to freedom of movement — Every citizen of Tanzania has a right to move in Tanzania
and lve in any prt of Tanzania. A Tanzanian citizen also has the right to leave and enter the
country
Freedom of expression
Freedom of expression is presented in four parts as follows
(2) Freedom of expression ~ Every citizen has right o form opinions and to air those opinions
He or she is ee to communicate without interference.
(©) Right to freedom of religion ~ Every person has the right to belief of faith, freedom of
thought and choice in matters of religion
(©) Freedom of association — Every citizen i fee to assemble, associate and co-operate with
other people. A Tanzanian citizen has the right to express views an join lawful associations or
organizations.
(@)_ Freedom to participate in public affairs – The constitution guarantees every citizen the right
to take part of leadership matters, that isthe right to elector to be elected into public office.
‘A Tanzanian citizen has the right to participate fully in making decision on matters affecting him or
her, his or her well-being or the nation
Right to work
‘The right to work is presented in three pats. These are
(2) Right to work —The citizen has the right to work, to equal opportunity to work and to hold
any office
(b)_ Right to own property ~The constitution gives all citizens the right to own property and to
have that property protected.
(©) Right to just remuneration – Every citizen who works has a right oa just salary according to
his or her work,
All the rights and freedoms that are guaranteed in the constitution have their limitation. Every
citizen who enjoys these rights and freedoms must obey the aw ofthe country. In exercising his or
her rights citizen should also take into consideration the right ofthe other.
Importance of human rights
“Most democratic societies have constitutions that contain the Billo rights. The bill of rights
consists of alist of rights and freedoms that are guaranteed inthe constitution, These rights can be
divided into thee categories.
1. Civil and political rights
These rights give the citizens liberty and equality. They allow the citizens to participate inthe
political life of their communities and societies
(2) ‘The right to life~ This right states that everyone has aright to live. It also disallows the death
penalty for people below 18 years, pregnant women and insane people
(b) The right to equal protection by law ~ This right seeks to ensure law and law enforcing
authorities treat all people equally.
(©) Freedom of expression ~ This right helps to ensue that people are free to exchange their
‘ideas and opinions.
(@)_ Freedom of religion and conscience — This right ensures that no-one is punished or penalized
in any way because he or she chooses one religion over another or opts Forno religion at all,
(©), Freedom of association — This isthe right that ensures people are free to belong to
‘organizations oftheir choice. It gives individuals the right to meet and interact with others whom
they have common interests
2 Social and economic rights
‘These give people the opportunity to participate in social, economic and cultural life oftheir
‘community or society. They ae also concerned withthe provision of basic needs such a food,
hnalth care and education. Social and economic rights are divided into the following categories
(2) Social rights —They include the freedom from discrimination on grounds of race, gender or
religion; the right to marry and have a family; andthe right to privacy, education, reereation and
balth care.
(b) Economic rights – They include the right to work, housing, reasonable standard of living and
pension.
3. Environmental and developmental rights
Rights under this category seek todo the following:
(2) Guarantee people te right to live ina free and safe environment that isthe clean free from
pollution and protected from destruction.
(&) Give groups of people the right to have their culture recognized, or to advance themselves
politically and economically.
‘Human rights and basie needs
Basic needs are things which are essential for survival. They include food shelter and clothing
‘Human rights are related to provision of basic needs. Social and cultural rights give people to
participate in social, economic and cultural activities that help them to meet their basi needs. These
activities
Include agriculture, business, manufacturing, employment and education. Human rights also enable
people to work together as the member of society in orde to improve thei living conditions.
Promotion and protection of human right in Tanzania
Promotion of human rights
Promotion of human rights is done to encourage people to respect and value human rights. Ths is
<one in the following ways
|. The government promotes the human rights by recognizing and including them in the
constitution
2. The government accepts and respects international obligations on human rights, Tanzania is a
signatory o various international agreements on human rights
3. The government has set up the commission of human rights and good govemance. This
‘commission i given power to promote and protect human rights
4. The constitution of Tanzania allows the multiparty system of government in which people are
fre to join any political party oftheir choice. This promotes democracy and therefore freedom of
expression
5. The courts have final say on legal matters,
6. The government has allowed Non-governmental organization (NGOs) to operate the country.
‘These help to promote human rights. The following are some of those organizations:
(2) Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP)
(b) Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA)
(©) Tanzania Women Media Association (TAMWA)
(@) Tanzania Human Rights and Democratic Development Centre (TAHUDE)
‘These and many other organizations work as pressure groups to promote human rights in the
country,
Protection of human rights
Protection of human right means ensuring that human rights are not abused. Human rights should
be protected and be respected forthe following reason:
1. They help to regulate and control power and action of government,
2. Theyare the foundation of justice, peace and freedom,
3. They promote democracy. This means the citizens’ wishes are respected by the government
4. They encourage people’s participation in economic, social, political and cultural activities.
5. They bring about social equality and discourage any form of discrimination.
“The following are the ways in which human rights are protected in Tanzania:
1. The constitution includes a bill of right to protect human rights,
2. The government educates the publi about their evil right which are guaranteed in the
constitution. It also practices the rule of law by setting up a system of checks and balance (such as
law courts and the police force) to ensure that human rights are respected
3. Non-government organizations educate the public and put pressure on government to change
oppressive laws,
4. ‘The press informs the public about violation of human rights.
Limitations ofinvidesd hams rights
umn ight have imitans. Theis no absolut freedom all eedoms re within certain
Toone. n deat society, soc ination shod be reasonable, oe icity end
justifiable
The main reason for seting boundaries within which human right exercised i to pret he
interest of other persons. Everyone is free to join his or her rights but in so doing one should not
inrfre wth he igh of thes For example, freedom of speech doesnot mean a person should
insult others
Othe examples of imitations while exercising oe’ right ned:
(0) rendu of expression IF person ues abusive language, he or she cam be aed, An
individual’ right ofedom of speech does ot mean ones alowed t init insult oher
people
(b) Freedom of assembly This canbe inte ifan assembly is ikl to harm oer people
(©). Freedom of association People who have bd intention suchas eiminal anno be
allowed to associat with public aster action re ikl o harm oes
(@) Right opervnal freedom — Just because one has th right to personal edo doesnt
tmean he or she can do things that offend others such as walking naked
Abuse of human rights
Abuse of human rights is the unlawful prevention of person’s enjoyment of his or her rights as
caine in the constution
Parents can abuse rights of their children by:
1. Denying them edcation.
2 Not providing basic needs such as fod and clothing for ther chien
3. Forcing thicken to many against thir wishes especial at tender age.
4, Giving ter chden severe puishoent,
The society can abuse nvidualsriht tough
1. Beating up and kiln suspected criminals without giving them air tial in court flaw
2. Abandoning children in theses,
3. Stigmatizng ess fortunate members ofthe society such sdsbled and people having HIV
and AIDS
The goverment can abuse san righ hough
1. Making oppressive laws that inthe nv ights
2. Discriminating against some citizens due to their color, gender, religion or ethnic origin
3. Not including Bill of right in the constitution.
4. Not maintaining the rule of law.
Effects of human rights abuse
‘The following are some ofthe effects of abusing human rights in the society.
1. Conflicts among family members and inthe community. This leads to unrest and instability in
the society.
2 Conflicts between citizens and their government. This makes difficult forthe government to
enforce law and order.
3. Citizens are unable to perform their duties and their responsibilities in peace
4. Increase crime and poverty in the society
5. Oppression ofthe less fortunate members in the society, for example’ workers may be
underpaid or the poor may be denied justice in the courts of law.
6. Citizens are unable to obtain their basic needs when the right to work is denied or abused.
Differences between limitation and abuse of human rights
“The difference between limitation of human rights and the abuse of human rights are listed in the
table below.
Limitations
1. Ate done when there is need,
2. Aim to protect the rights of others,
3. Protects the rights ofthe disadvantaged group such as children, woman and disabled persons.
4. Aim at making people fre from fear of discrimination.
5, Ensure peace and orders are maintained in the society
6. Intend tallow state organs to conduct lawful acts.
7. Aim in ensuring court judgments are fair and just
8. Aim prohibiting the disclosure of confidential information
Abuse
1, Is done necessarily
2. Used for selfish reasons, eto keep unpopular rules in power.
3. Does not protect the right of disadvantaged groups.
4. Aims at making the citizens fearful oftheir rules
5. Aims at preventing some people from enjoying their rights
6. Intends to make people ignorant of their rights.
7. Aims at diseriminating some people inthe court of law:
8. Aims at withholding information in order to make people live in feat
Ways to combat abuse of human rights
|. The goverument has to maintain the rule of law. Where the rule of law isnot being
‘maintained, eg. in countries at war, alt of human rights abuses ate experienced such as inability
to get basic needs
2. The government should educate its citizens about their basi rights so that they can claim
them when they are denied,
3. The society has to respect all people, including the sick and the disadvantaged.
4. The courts of law should enforce the law in a just manner and punish those who abuse the
rights of others, such as thieves and murderers.
5. There should be a system of controlling the activities ofthe government, eg, the existence of
parliament to prevent the misuse of power.
6. The government has to transparent in its operations. Citizens should be kept informed about
issues affecting them,
7. All people should be treated fairly and equally before the law. No one should be disriminated
against because of color, religion, gender or status inthe society.
Chapter summary
‘Human rights are basi things that human beings are entitled to and which nobody should interfere
with. Such rights include life, ownership of property, education, marriage, healthcare and housing.
“These rights are based on United Nations Universal Declaration of human rights. In our country,
these rights are included inthe constitution,
‘These rights give the citizens liberty and equality. They allow the citizens to participate inthe
political life of their community or societies.
Basic needs ae things which are essential for survival. They include food, shelter and clothing,
Human rights are related to the provision ofthe basic needs
Protection of human rights means ensuring that human rights are not abused