World Human Rights Day 2019 held on 10th December, and there are a lot of rights people do not know they have that get infringed on every day. Take a look at some of the rights you are entitled to as a human being.

 

1. The right to equality

This right states that everyone is equal and must be treated equally. No one has the right to discriminate against you based on your race, gender, s*x, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, s*xual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language or birth among others.

 

2. Right to human dignity

Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected. No person shall be subject to torture or inhuman treatment, confined to slavery or servitude or asked to perform forced or compulsory labour.

 

3. Right to life

Everyone has a right to life, and not even the state has the right to take a life. This means that the court cannot sentence anyone to death. This, however, does not apply to all cases as there are situations whereby the right to life is restricted.

 

The right to life is exempted:

• Where the taking of life is in the execution of a court sentence in respect to a criminal offence in which the person has been found guilty in Nigeria.
• Where the loss of life is as a result of the use of such force as is reasonably necessary and in such circumstances as permitted by law.
• For the defence of any person from unlawful violence or defence of property.
• In order to make a lawful arrest or prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained; or for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny.

 

4. Freedom and security

This means that no one should be imprisoned without good reason; detained without trial; tortured in any way or treated or punished in a cruel degrading way. It also means that all humans have a right to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources.

 

5. Right to personal privacy

No one, not even the government, has the right to search your house or property or have your possessions seized without following the correct legal channels. Also, the government cannot infringe on the privacy of your communication; this includes opening your emails or listening to your phone calls.

 

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6. Freedom of Expression

Everyone has the freedom to say, write or print what they want. This right must, however, never violate anyone else’s rights or break the law in any way.

 

7. Freedom of Association

Everyone has the right to associate with anyone they want to associate with. This means people have a right to associate with a trade union, a political party, or any other club or association. This includes religious denominations and organisations, fraternities, and sports clubs.

 

8. Political Rights

Every citizen has the right to form a political party. As a citizen, you are entitled to participate in the activities of a political party. You can also campaign for a political party or cause. Every citizen can stand for public office and, if elected, hold office.

 

Every citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections for any legislative body established in terms of the Constitution. Also, every adult citizen has the right ­to vote in elections for any political party and to do so in secret.

 

9. Right to healthcare, food, water and social services

Everyone has the right to have access to health care services. This includes reproductive health care, sufficient food and water, and social security. They also have the right to social assistance if they are unable to support themselves and their dependents.

 

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