Everyone has the right to live in dignity

The concept of human rights has been defined in various ways different authors.  Human rights can be explained as the basic standards of life without which people cannot live in dignity as human beings.  The key elements of human rights include the following:

·         Human rights are inherent: This means that human right belong to people because they are human.  We are all born with them.

·         Human rights are universal: This means that human rights apply to everyone living everywhere.

·         Human rights are Inalienable:       This means that human rights cannot be taken away, although they can be limited under some legal circumstances such as a “lockdown” as a measure to address a pandemic, e.g. COVID 19. Such a situation may limit a person’s right to freedom of movement.

·         Human rights are indivisible:          This means human rights are interconnected and interdependent.

Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Yes, everyone has the right to live in dignity, free from fear and free from want.  This means that everyone, young or old, has the right to live without the threat of being physically or mentally mistreated or of being deprived of necessities of life such as food, water and shelter.

A life of dignity is one where all human rights are realized for everyone.  Human rights are often categorized as Civil and Political Rights, such as the right to freedom of expression or the freedom being tortured. We also have Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, such as the right to education or the right to health. 

In spite of these the above categories of human rights, all rights are of equal value, indivisible and interdependent.  No human right can be realized in isolation from other rights. 

Within the United Nations and in the African Union, States have defined people’s rights and State’s duties in human rights promotion, protection and fulfillment through treaties or conventions. Most national constitutions, such as chapter 5 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, reflect parts of these international standards.

Human rights are the foundation of freedom, justice and peace.  Respect for human rights allows all individuals and the communities in which they live to develop fully and sustainably.

References:

§  SINIKO

§  UN, UDHR

§  Amnesty International, HAKI ZETU, ESC Rights in Practice