Democratic Rights
Prison in Guantanamo Bay
It is a naval base of US
Around 600 people were secretly picked up by US forces all over the world
and were prisoned in Guantanamo Bay
They were suspects of the attack on 11 September 2001
Arrest was done without any notice to their families of parents
They were kept outside the normal US law and from lawyers and courts
This was a clear case of infringement of fundamental rights(breaking
law/rule)
Amnesty international(global human rights movement) highlights this and
worked on it
UN secretary general said that the prison must be shut down
US govt refused to accept the pleas
Citizen Rights in Saudi Arabia
Rule of hereditary king, people have no rule in electing or changing their ruler
King selects the Legislature(Makes Laws-Lok,Rajya
Sabha),Executive(implement laws-presidents,cabinet members) and
Judiciary(Independent law-supreme courts,high coruts,district courts)
Citizens cannot form any political party or media
No freedom of religom
Conditions of Women: One testimony (statement/evidence) of one man is
cosidered equal to two women
Ethnic Massacre in Kosovo
Kosovo is a province of Yugoslavia(Old part of today’s Europe), the population
composition of the province was majority for Albanians but in the country
Serbs were majority
Narrow minded nationalist leader Milosevic won the election
Hostile towards Albanians of Kosovo
They had viwpoints that Albanians should either leave the country or accept
dominance
There was a massacre of Albanians carried by the armies of their own country
All this happened under the leadership of democratically elected leader
Right In Democracy
Rights are reasonable claim of a person and recognized by the society and
Sanctioned by law(permission or approval/punishment or penalty)
Why Do We Need Rights In Democracy
For democratic elections to take place it is necessary that citizens should
have the right to express their opinion, form political parties and take part in
political activities.
Rights are guarantees which can be used when things go wrong.
The government should protect the citizens’ rights.
In most democracies, the basic rights of the citizen are written down in
the constitution.
Rights are mentioned in the constitution
1. Right to Equality (Articles 14–18)
All are equal before the law.
No discrimination based on religion, caste, gender, or place of birth.
Equal opportunity in government jobs.
Abolishes untouchability (Article 17).
Abolishes titles like "Raja" or "Sir" (Article 18).
2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22)
Freedom of speech and expression.
Freedom to move anywhere and live anywhere in India.
Freedom to form associations or unions.
Protection of life and personal liberty (Article 21).
Protection against illegal arrest and detention.
3. Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28)
Freedom to follow any religion.
Freedom to practice, preach, and spread religion.
Each religion can manage its own religious affairs (Article 26).
No one can be forced to take part in religious instruction in government
institutions (Article 28)
4. Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24)
Ban on human trafficking and forced labour (Article 23).
No child below 14 years can work in factories or mines (Article 24).
Protects people from being exploited or misused.
5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30)
Protects the language, script, and culture of minorities.
Minorities can open and run their own schools or colleges.
No discrimination in getting admission to government or government-aided
schools.
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
Allows citizens to go to court if their rights are violated.
Called the "heart and soul" of the Constitution (by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar).
Courts can issue writs like Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari,
and Quo Warranto to protect rights.