A) ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS

Human Rights constitute a set of norms governing the treatment of individuals and groups by states and non-state actors on the basis of ethical principles considered as fundamental to a decent life by the society. Thus, human rights are a set of principles concerned with equality and fairness. They recognized the individuals freedom to make choices about their lives and to develop their potential as human beings. In a way human rights are to be understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being.

Human Rights are the same for all people everywhere i.e., for men or women, young and old, rich and poor, regardless of their background, caste creed or ethnicity or the belief systems they follow. This is what makes human rights universal.

Section 2(1)(d) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 defines human rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the constitution or embodied in international covenants and enforceable by courts in India.

B) RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Human Rights connect people through shared set of rights and responsibilities. A person’s ability to enjoy their human rights depends on other people respecting those rights. This implies that human rights involve responsibilities and duties towards other people and the community. Individuals have a responsibility to ensure that the exercise their rights keeping in view the rights of others.

Government have a particular responsibility to ensure that people are able to enjoy their rights. It is the responsibility of the Government to enact laws and implement them in such a way that people are able to lead a life in which their rights are respected and protected.

C) SCOPE OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Human Rights cover virtually every area of human activity. The idea of basic human rights originated from the need to protect the individual against the arbitrary use of state power.

Under the category Civil and Political Rights is included a person’s rights to take part in civil and political life of their community without discrimination or oppression. These include rights and freedoms such as the right to vote, right to privacy, freedom of speech, right to life and liberty and freedom from torture.

There are also economic, social and cultural rights, which relates to a person’s rights to prosper and develop his personality and to take part in social and cultural activities. This group of rights includes rights such as right to health, right to education and right to work.

The main difference between these two groups of rights is that in case of civil and political rights, government must make sure that they or any other group, are not denying people access to their rights. Whereas in relation to economic, social and cultural rights governments are expected to take active steps to ensure that rights of citizen are being fulfilled.

D) HUMAN RIGHTS PRINCIPLES

Human Rights are universal and inalienable. They are universal because everyone is born with and possesses the same rights, regardless of where they live, their gender or race or their religious, cultural or ethnic background. Inalienable because people’s rights can never be taken away. Following principles are applied to describe the nature of human rights.

• Universality and inalienability: Human Rights are universal and inalienable. All people everywhere in the world are entitled to them. This principle is enshrined in the Article 1 of the universal declaration of human rights: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.


• Indivisibility: Human Rights are indivisible. All human rights are inherent to the dignity of every being. Consequently, all human rights have equal status and cannot be positioned in a hierarchical order.


• Interdependence and Interrelatedness: Human rights are interdependent and interrelated. Each one contributes to the realization of a person potential for his physical, social, psychological and spiritual development.


• Equality and Non-discrimination: All individuals are equal as human beings. Therefore no one should be discriminated based on race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, language, sexual orientation, religion, political, opinion, property, birth etc.


• Participation and Inclusion: All people have the right to participate in an access information relating to the decision-making process that effects their life and wellbeing.


• Accountability and Rule of Law: The State and other duty bearers are insurable for the observation of human rights. In this regard they have to comply with the legal norms and standards enshrined in the international human rights instruments. Besides individuals, the media and civil society play important role in holding Government accountable for their obligation to uphold human rights.