Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education and many more. Every one is entitled to these rights without discrimination
Furthermore, International Human Rights Law lays down the obligations of governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedom of individuals or groups.
Down the history lane, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR] is a mile stone document in the history of human rights. This declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on the 10th December 1948 by General Assembly Resolution 217A. This was to serve as a common standard of achievements for all nations of the world. It set out for the first time fundamental human rights that must universally be protected.
Regrettably, looking at what are considered fundamental human rights, one can only conclude it is indeed a fairly tale from a children’s book in the countries many of us find ourselves in. .There is hope, nevertheless, in democracy and the electoral process. This system of government gives the man on the street the chance to have a stake in determining who occupies the leadership offices in the country. The electoral process and ballot boxes empower the downtrodden, the voiceless and the powerless to become powerful and have a voice in choosing people who will deploy state resources to protecting human rights. The values of democracy is limitless when it comes to the protection of fundamental human rights. It has proven to be the better alternative in dealing with human attitude to power especially in the African continent.
As the clouds gather again ahead of the general elections, the electorate must view the upcoming election not just as a time to change leaders but a time to enforce their desire to protect their fundamental human rights for the next four years. They must, therefore, study critically the fundamental nature of those who want to be put in different positions of power.
Nigerians must know that it is another time to take responsibility for who mounts the saddles of leadership at different levels and arms of government. It is not a time to be indifferent. It is not time to be sentimental in reasoning. It is not time to be selfish but a time to take a retreat and assess how we have truly faired since 2015. How much was a bag of local and foreign rice before 2015? How much was a litre of kerosene and other essential consumer goods before the 2015? The people should use this level of poverty and hardship as good reasons for sober and sincere reflection, What happened and how did get here?
Let’s labour to contribute our quota by electing those with minimal ego – those who will see themselves as servants not overlords, those who will give the people true dividends of democracy and protect the fundamental human rights, civil and political rights of the populace – the right to freedom of movement, equality before the law, right to fair trial and presumption of innocence, freedom of thoughts, conscience and religion, freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly, freedom of association, participation in public affairs and elections and minority rights. These rights prohibit arbitrary deprivation of life by just labeling someone that you hate, torture, cruel or degrading treatment, slavery, forced labour, arbitrary arrest or detention, arbitrary interference with individual privacies, war propaganda, discrimination and advocacy of racial, tribal or religious hatred.
The choice is before us again to correct the mistake of our past and see whether we can enjoy these benefits.
Written by PASTOR UMEADI ANIGBOGU
Comments are closed for this post.