HUMAN RIGHTS
Rights are legal entitlements enjoyed by the citizens of a state. In
other words, it refers to those things individuals can lay claims to
by law.
Fundamental human rights refer to the natural or inalienable
rights and privileges enjoyed by the citizens of the state. These
rights are usually written in the constitution of the country
The rights enjoyed by the citizens of Nigeria as stated in the 1999
constitution include
1. Right to life: Every citizen has the right to life which he must
not be deprived of
2. Right to private and family life: Section 37 of Nigerian
constitution states that citizens have the right to privacy of
theirs, homes, etc.
3. Right to freedom of expression: Citizens are free to express
their ideas and opinions as long as the reputation of others are
respected
4. Right to freedom of movement: Every Nigerian has the right to
move to any part of the country he or she wishes to be for any
reasons except it is unsafe
5. Right to own property: Every citizen has the right to own
property anywhere in the country
6. Right to peaceful assembly and association: Every citizen is free
to associate with others, can form or join political parties,
socio-cultural organization etc. which does not affect the
peaceful co-existence of the nation
7. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion: Every
citizen is given the freedom of thought, conscience and religion
and to change his belief
8. Right to dignity of human person: Every citizen deserves
respect and should not be maltreated, held in slavery or made
to perform compulsory labour
9. Right to fair hearing: Every citizen is entitled o fair hearing
within reasonable time by a court of law and has right to take a
lawyer to defend him
10. Right to personal liberty: Individual citizen should not be
deprived of his personal liberty. Anyone below the age of 18
years should not be detained in prison custody
11. Right to freedom of discrimination: No citizen should be
discriminated against on the basis of religion, sex, origin etc.
TYPES OF HUMAN RIGHTS
1. Civic Rights: These include
a. Right to vote during election
b. Right to freedom of expression
c. Right to freedom of conscience and religion
d. Right to freedom of personal liberty
e. Right to freedom from discrimination on the bases of gender,
religion etc.
2. Political Rights: These include
a. Right to fair hearing
b. Right to freedom of association
c. Right to vote and be voted for
d. Right to seek redress or legal remedy
e. Right to petition
3. Economic Rights: These include
a. Right to work
b. Right to form and join trade union
c. Right to own property
d. Right to social security
e. Right to just and favourable conditions of work
f. Right to fair compensation
LIMITATIONS TO HUMAN RIHTS
1. Slander and libel: A citizen has no right to say or write any evil
things against another citizen. This is a limitation to freedom of
expression
2. Conviction: A convicted and imprisoned citizen may lose his
voting rights movements
3. Trespass: A citizen has no right to trespass into another’s
property
4. Emergency period: Government may declare state of
emergency which restricts citizen’s movement
5. Type of government: The type of government in power such as
military government or one party system
6. State security: Citizens may be denied some of their rights if it
threatens state security
7. Property for public use: Individuals property may be acquired
by the government for public use for the interest of the
people/state
8. Infectious diseases: An individual suffering from communicable
diseases may be denied of some of the rights on health ground