Grade 10

Subject: Citizenship Education

Unit 6: Human Rights

Introduction
In a democracy, citizens enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms. This unit examines the
concept of human rights, their basic features, and their classification into generations. It
also covers the obligations of both citizens and the state in realizing human rights, and the
international, regional, and Ethiopian instruments established to protect them.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

● Internalize human rights.

● Appraise the realization of human rights.
● Know the instruments for the protection of human rights.

6.1 The Concept of Human Rights

Human rights are basic to humanity and apply to all people everywhere. They are
fundamental entitlements that belong to every member of the human race — privileges a
person can claim simply by being human, without discrimination. The Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that human rights belong to every human
being without distinction, the only requirement being that one is human. Human rights
provide the minimum standards for a life worth living, giving people control over their own
lives and the means to meet basic needs such as food, housing, and education.

6.1.1 The Basic Features of Human Rights

Figure 6.1: Basic features of human rights

Universalism
Human rights apply equally to all people everywhere, with no time limit, regardless of race,
sex, disability, religion, or other status. Universality does not threaten cultural diversity —
it simply sets minimum standards that every state and society can build upon.

Eternality
Individuals stop enjoying their human rights only at natural death; otherwise, these rights
are in principle eternal.

Inalienability
Human rights cannot be lost because they are linked to human existence itself, though
some may be suspended or restricted in particular circumstances, such as after a criminal
conviction or during a declared national emergency.

Indivisible and Interdependent

Different human rights are intrinsically connected; enjoying one right often depends on
enjoying others, and no single right takes priority over the rest.

Inviolability
Human rights are expected not to be violated or restricted by anyone; in well-consolidated
democracies, this expectation extends even to times of crisis.

Irrevocable
Human rights cannot be taken away by any power or authority, since they originate from
the social nature of humankind rather than from any government.

📌 Fact to Remember:
Human rights are universal, eternal, inalienable, indivisible and interdependent,
inviolable, and irrevocable — these six features distinguish them from other kinds
of rights.

6.1.2 Classification of Human Rights

Figure 6.2: Generations of human rights

a. First Generation Rights

Civil and political rights derived from 17th and 18th century political theories tied to the
English, American, and French revolutions, emphasizing limits on government. Examples
include freedom from discrimination, freedom from slavery, freedom from torture, freedom
from arbitrary arrest, and the right to a fair trial.

b. Second Generation Rights

Economic, social, and cultural rights, originating largely in socialist traditions, conceived as
positive rights that encourage state intervention. Examples include the right to social
security, the right to work, and the right to education.

c. Third Generation Rights

Rights arising from the rise and decline of the nation-state in the late twentieth century,
championed especially by developing countries, including the right to self-determination,
the right to economic and social development, and the right to share in the common heritage
of humankind.

6.1.3 Human Rights Provision Under the Federal Constitution

A distinguishing feature of the FDRE Constitution is its emphasis on internationally
recognized human rights norms. Article 10 declares that human rights and freedoms,
emanating from the nature of mankind, are inviolable and inalienable. Chapter Three of the
constitution — about one third of its provisions — is devoted to human rights and
democratic rights, split into Human Rights (Articles 14–28) and Democratic Rights
(Articles 29–44).

Some rights listed under the constitution include:

● Right to life — Right to security of person

● Right to liberty — rights of persons held in custody and convicted prisoners
● Rights of persons arrested or accused — prohibition against inhuman treatment and
double jeopardy
● Right to equality, honor, reputation, and privacy — freedom of religion, belief, and
opinion

📌 Fact to Remember:
Human rights are grouped into three generations — civil/political,
economic/social/cultural, and collective/developmental — and the FDRE
Constitution devotes about a third of its text to human and democratic rights.

6.2 Citizens and State Obligations in Realizing Human

Rights
6.2.1 Citizens' Obligation in Realizing Human Rights
Human rights involve responsibility and duty toward others and the community;
individuals must exercise their rights with due regard for the rights of others. Citizens'
obligations under the constitution include respect for religious equality, respect for gender
equality, respect for the rights of others, and respect for the national flag.

6.2.2 State Obligations in Realizing Human Rights

Obligation to Respect
States must refrain from interfering with people's enjoyment of their rights — for example,
not conducting medical experiments on persons with disabilities without consent, or not
excluding someone from school because of a disability.

Obligation to Protect
States must protect individuals against abuses by non-state actors or officials acting
outside their authority, including enacting protective legislation and ensuring access to
impartial legal remedies.

Obligation to Fulfill
States must take positive action to ensure rights can be realized, such as providing free and
compulsory primary education, and creating the legal and institutional conditions rights
holders need.

📌 Fact to Remember:
States carry three obligations toward human rights — to respect (not interfere), to
protect (guard against abuse by others), and to fulfill (take positive action to realize
rights).

6.2.3 Instruments for the Protection of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

Adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948, the UDHR is not legally
binding but defines the human rights and fundamental freedoms referenced in the UN
Charter. Many states have incorporated its principles into their national constitutions.

International Human Rights Conventions

Beyond the UN Charter and UDHR, more than ten core UN human rights treaties exist,
including the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture
(CAT), CEDAW, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Regional Mechanisms
Regional human rights systems exist covering Africa, the Americas, and Europe, working
alongside international mechanisms to hold state actors accountable for promoting,
protecting, and fulfilling human rights.
Ethiopian Human Rights Instruments
The foundation of human rights protection in Ethiopia is the FDRE Constitution, ratified
in 1994, which declares human rights inviolable and inalienable and requires that
constitutional rights be interpreted consistently with the UDHR and other ratified
international instruments. The constitution also established institutions including the
national human rights commission, the general attorney's office, and the office of the
ombudsman.

📌 Fact to Remember:
Human rights are protected through layered instruments — the UDHR, core UN
conventions, regional systems, and Ethiopia's own FDRE Constitution and
national institutions.
Key Terms Glossary
● Human rights: Fundamental entitlements that belong to every human being without
discrimination, simply by virtue of being human.

● Universalism: The feature of human rights meaning they apply equally to all people
everywhere, with no time limit.

● Eternality: The feature of human rights meaning they are enjoyed until natural
death.

● Inalienability: The feature of human rights meaning they cannot be lost because
they are linked to human existence itself.

● Indivisible and interdependent: The feature of human rights meaning different

rights are intrinsically connected and cannot be viewed in isolation.

● Irrevocable: The feature of human rights meaning they cannot be taken away by any
power or authority.

● Civil right: Guarantees of equal social opportunities and equal protection under the
law regardless of race, religion, or other personal characteristics.

● Convention: An agreement between states covering particular matters, especially

one less formal than a treaty.

● Economic right: An interest, duty, promise, or obligation relating to domestic

services or property.

● Inhuman treatment: Punishment or treatment that causes intense physical or

mental suffering.

● Obligation: Something a person must do because of the demands of a promise or

contract.

● First generation rights: Civil and political rights, such as freedom from
discrimination and the right to a fair trial.

● Second generation rights: Economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right
to education and social security.

● Third generation rights: Collective or developmental rights, such as the right to

self-determination and to share in humanity's common heritage.
Practice Exam
I. True or False
Write "True" if the statement is correct, or "False" if it is incorrect.

1. Human rights belong to every human being without discrimination.

2. Universalism means human rights apply only to citizens of certain countries.

3. Inalienability means human rights can never be suspended or restricted under any
circumstance.

4. Indivisible and interdependent means different human rights are intrinsically connected.

5. First generation rights are primarily economic, social, and cultural rights.

6. Second generation rights include the right to work and the right to education.

7. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly in
1948.

8. The obligation to respect requires states to refrain from interfering with people's rights.

9. The obligation to fulfill requires states to take positive action to realize rights.

10. Ethiopia's FDRE Constitution makes no reference to internationally recognized human

rights.

II. Matching
Match each item in Column A with the correct item in Column B. Column B contains one
extra item that does not match any item in Column A.

Column A Column B

1. Rights apply equally to all people A. Universalism

everywhere

2. Rights cannot be lost because they are B. Inalienability

linked to human existence

3. Rights cannot be taken away by any C. Irrevocable

power or authority

4. Different rights are intrinsically D. Indivisible and interdependent

connected

5. Civil and political rights E. First generation rights

6. Economic, social, and cultural rights F. Second generation rights

7. State must refrain from interfering with G. Obligation to respect

 Column A Column B

rights

8. State must take positive action to realize H. Obligation to fulfill

rights

I. Obligation to protect

III. Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer for each of the following questions.

1. Human rights are best described as:

A. Privileges granted only to citizens of B. Fundamental entitlements belonging to
wealthy nations every human being
C. Rights that can be freely bought or sold D. Rights available only to government
officials

2. Universalism as a feature of human rights means:

A. Rights differ completely from country to B. Rights apply equally to all people
country everywhere
C. Only certain ethnic groups may claim D. Rights expire after a fixed number of
rights years

3. Which feature means human rights are enjoyed until natural death?
A. Inalienability B. Eternality
C. Indivisibility D. Irrevocability

4. Which of the following best describes inalienability?

A. Rights can be freely transferred to others B. Rights cannot be lost because they are
linked to human existence
C. Rights apply only during wartime D. Rights are granted only by government
decree

5. First generation rights are primarily:

A. Economic and social rights B. Civil and political rights
C. Developmental rights D. Environmental rights

6. Second generation rights include:

A. Freedom from arbitrary arrest B. The right to a fair trial
C. The right to education D. Freedom of religion

7. Third generation rights are primarily associated with:

A. 17th century revolutions B. Socialist traditions of the 19th century
C. The rise and decline of the nation-state D. Ancient legal codes
in the 20th century

8. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in:

A. 1945 B. 1948
C. 1966 D. 1994

9. Which obligation requires states to refrain from interfering with people's rights?
A. Obligation to protect B. Obligation to fulfill
C. Obligation to respect D. Obligation to enforce

10. Which obligation requires states to guard individuals against abuses by non-
state actors?
A. Obligation to respect B. Obligation to protect
C. Obligation to fulfill D. Obligation to ignore

11. Which obligation requires states to take positive action to realize rights?
A. Obligation to respect B. Obligation to protect
C. Obligation to fulfill D. Obligation to restrict

12. The FDRE Constitution was ratified in:

A. 1948 B. 1966
C. 1991 D. 1994

13. In the FDRE Constitution, Articles 14-28 are devoted to:

A. Democratic rights B. Human rights
C. Economic policy D. Federal structure

14. Which of the following is an example of a regional human rights mechanism?

A. A system covering Africa, the Americas, B. A purely national court with no regional
or Europe scope
C. A private corporate tribunal D. An informal community council

15. Which Ethiopian institution was established under the constitution to help
protect human rights?
A. The national human rights commission B. A private security firm
C. A regional trade council D. A corporate ombudsman

IV. Fill in the Blank

1. ____________ means human rights apply equally to all people everywhere with no time
limit.

2. ____________ means human rights cannot be lost because they are linked to human
existence.

3. ____________ rights include civil and political rights such as freedom from arbitrary
arrest.

4. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly in
____________.

5. The obligation to ____________ requires states to take positive action to ensure rights can
be realized.

V. Short Answer
1. What are human rights, and why should everyone respect them?

2. Explain the three state obligations in realizing human rights.