CIVICS DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
Democratic Rights
Life without Rights
Democracy is regarded as the best form of Government. In a democratic country, not only does
the Government work within the limits of the Constitution but rights and freedoms are also
provided to the citizens. In a monarchy or in a dictatorial nation, basic rights and freedoms are
denied to the people.
The Rights of Citizens in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a monarchy, a country which is ruled by a king. Some facts about Saudi Arabia:
The position of the king is hereditary.
The legislature, executive and judges are appointed by the king. The latter can reverse any
of their decisions.
The formation of political parties is illegal, and the media cannot publish anything which the
king does not like.
The people of Saudi Arabia cannot follow their religion freely. Non- Muslims can follow their
religion only in private.
Many restrictions are imposed on women. The testimony of one man is considered equal to
that of two women.
Prison in Guantanamo Bay
CIVICS DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
USA is a democratic country. However, a question arises of whether it treats people of
other religions in a democratic manner.
After the September 2001 attacks on the United States of America, about 600 people
were arrested by the US forces and were imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. It is an area
near Cuba which is controlled by the American Navy.
These people were arrested without any warrant and without informing their families.
Neither the family members nor the UN members were allowed to meet them.
The prisoners neither faced any trial before any magistrate in the US nor could they
approach the courts in their home country.
An international human rights organisation, Amnesty International, collected various
reports on the Guantanamo Bay prison and reported the torturing of the prisoners which
itself violates US laws.
Prisoners were not released even when they were declared not guilty.
The US Government did not pay any heed to the UN Secretary General who said that
Guantanamo Bay should be closed down.
The Massacre of Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo
Kosovo presents a case where a government elected by the people indulged in a
large-scale massacre of citizens.
CIVICS DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
Kosovo was a province of Yugoslavia before it separated. The Serbians were in a majority in
Yugoslavia, and the ethnic Albanians were in a majority in Kosovo.
Milosevic was elected as the leader of the country. As he was a Serbian, he wanted to
establish Serbian domination in the country.
Thus, large-scale attacks on the ethnic Albanians were carried out by the soldiers.
Thousands of Albanians were killed in Kosovo.
Many countries intervened to end this massacre. Milosevic was later tried by an
International Court of Justice for committing crimes against humanity.
While Saudi Arabia shows us the features of a dictatorial government, Guantanamo Bay prison
shows us how civil rights such as the Right to Live and Detention without Trial were denied to
people. Kosovo is an example of an elected government carrying out the massacre of an ethnic
minority.
The rights of citizens are given utmost importance in any democratic country.
Rights of Citizens in a Democracy
Rights are claims of a person over other fellow citizens, over society and over the Government.
However, it has to be kept in mind that our rights should not hurt or harm others; the Serbians
in Yugoslavia cannot claim rights which could harm ethnic Albanians. Thus, rights are
reasonable claims of persons recognised by society and sanctioned by law. Rights are required
in a democracy to protect the minorities from the oppression of the majority. Rights also
protect citizens from the tyranny of the Government.
CIVICS DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
Rights Guaranteed by the Constitution of India
The Constitution of India provides basic rights and freedoms to its citizens. These are
Right to Equality
Our Constitution declares that every citizen irrespective of caste, creed, sect, religion or
gender is equal before the laws of the country.
No person is above the law whether it is a political leader, ordinary citizen or police
personnel. This is known as the rule of law.
Any citizen can use public places such as parks, public hospitals, bathing ghats, roads,
wells and tanks.
All citizens have equality of opportunity for getting appointed in any governmental
institution or organisation.
Untouchability has been abolished so that people belonging to every caste get socially
equal treatment.
Right to Freedom
Freedom of speech and expression: Every citizen has the right to criticise the policies of the
Government or of any institution. The media of the country are also free to opine their
views on any matter. However, one cannot use this freedom to instigate violence against
other communities or the Government.
To assemble peacefully: People can assemble or hold rallies to protest against any issues
without any arms. However, these protests should be peaceful.
CIVICS DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
To move freely from one part of the country to the other part
Freedom to reside in any part of the country
Freedom to form associations and unions
Freedom to practice any profession and to carry out any trading and business activities
A person arrested and detained by the police should be produced before the nearest
magistrate within 24 hours of arrest. An arrested person has the right to consult a
lawyer or hire alawyer for his/her defense.
Right against Exploitation
Our Constitution prohibits any trafficking in human beings.
No child below the age of 14 can be employed in factories, mines and other hazardous
works.
Begar or forced labour is prohibited by the Constitution.
Right to Freedom of Religion
All citizens of the country are free to profess, practice and propagate their religion.
India is a secular state. It neither encourages nor discourages the practice of any religion.
However, the right to freedom of religion does not apply in those cases where
liberties of other citizens are compromised. For example, the sacrifice of human
beings and the brutal treatment meted out to widows are illegal.
CIVICS DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
Cultural and Educational Rights
A minority community has the right to preserve its culture, language and script.
Admission to any governmental educational institutions cannot be denied to any
citizen on the basis of language or religion.
Every minority community has the right to establish and maintain institutions of their
choice.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is an independent organisation. It enquires
into cases where the rights to liberty and basic freedoms are denied to citizens. It
however cannot decide cases and punish the guilty. It just highlights the issues and cases.
Any person or group of persons can file cases in the court if their freedoms and rights are
violated. If the violation of rights is of a larger social or public interest, a public interest
litigation (PIL) can be filed in the court.
Scope of Fundamental Rights
Because fundamental rights are the source of all rights and our Constitution, the scope of
these rights has expanded over years.
Of late, the right to education has been added to the Constitution of India. It is the
responsibility of the Government to provide free and compulsory education to children up
to the age of 14 years.
Another right, the Right to Information to the Citizens has also been added under the Right
to Freedom of Thought and Expression.
Rights such as the Right to Property and the Right to Vote are important constitutional
rights.
Expansion of all fundamental rights takes the form of human rights.
Some New Rights Guaranteed by the Constitution of South Africa to its Citizens are
Right to Privacy
Right to safe and clean environment
Right to have access to housing
Right to have access to healthcare facilities