History and Citizenship

TOPIC AREA 4:  SOCIETY 

Sub-Topic Area 1:  Human Rights, Citizen Duties and   Responsibilities Unit 

10:  Concept of human rights, citizen duties and responsibilities and ways of preventing human rights violations 

Activity 10.1

1. Using the internet, research on the meaning of the term ‘human rights’. 

2. Give a list of things that you feel you must have as a human being. 

Whatever people deserve as human beings, but have no harm to the society, are human rights. 

Concept of human rights

Human rights are rights which are inherent by the mere fact of being human. The concept of human rights is based on a belief. The belief is that every human being is entitled to enjoy his or her rights. The rights should be enjoyed without discrimination. Human rights differ from other rights in two ways.

Firstly, they are characterised by being inherent in all human beings by virtue of their humanity. They do not have to be purchased or to be granted. They are: 

• Protected by law 

• Equally applicable to all 

Secondly, the main duties deriving from human rights fall on states and their authorities or agents. They do not fall on individuals. 

One important implication of these characteristics is that human rights must themselves be protected. They must be protected by law. Furthermore, any disputes about these rights should be submitted for adjudication. The submission should be done through a competent, impartial and independent tribunal. The tribunal should apply procedures which ensure full equality and fairness to all parties. It should also determine the question in accordance with clear, specific and pre-existing laws. The law must be known to the public and openly declared. 

Fig. 10.1: United Nations delegates in a meeting 

Human rights violation

Activity 10.2 

1. Using a dictionary, find out the meaning of the word ‘violation’. 

2. Explain what is meant by the term ‘human rights violation’. 

3.  Identify occasions where your rights have not been respected as a student.

Cases of human rights violation 

In our society today, there exists the following examples of human rights violations: 

(a) Sexual abuse through rape and defilement 

(b) Domestic violence, especially gender based violence 

(c) Child labour (d) Detention without trial 

(e) Extra judicial killings 

(f) Denial of the freedom of expression and association 

Showing concern for human rights violations

All of us have a part to play in preventing human rights violations. The government also plays an important role in ensuring that human rights are observed. It has achieved this by: 

(i) Enacting laws to protect or prevent human rights violations. 

(ii) Imposing stiff penalties to violators of human rights. For instance imprisonment of rapists and sexual abusers for a long period of time, up to 25 years or more. 

(iii) Supporting media advocacy against violations by ensuring a free reporting of cases of violations and acting on the same when reported. 

(iv) Educating the public in schools, through mass media and other programmes including supporting NGOs acting against violations. 

(v) Creating centres for recovery of victims of human rights violations such as Gender Violence Recovery Centres in medical institutions. 

Activity 10.3

1. Citing a case where a person’s rights was violated, explain how: 

(a) People reacted to it 

(b) The government supported the victim 

2. What could you have done if you were the victim in the scenario we have highlighted above?

Ways of preventing human rights violation 

1. Sensitising people: This can be done through formal or informal education on the basic human rights. This will greatly contribute to the development and change of attitudes that are based on the respect of human life and dignity.  Prevention should be an on-going activity that constantly educates, corrects and influences the people on any desired societal ideal that promote peace. 

2.  Shun corruption: One of the easiest ways to get violated is giving bribes or soliciting for favours. It is wrong to assume that if you give a bribe, you are likely to get what you need. This is because people who give bribes are usually ready to do anything to get their way, including engaging in corrupt deals. Such people also easily fall prey to violators, because they can be asked to do things that violate their rights just to earn what they are looking for.

3.  Insist on your rights: By doing this, you will be making the other person accountable for his or her demands. The time you invest in insisting on your rights can be said to be a time devoted to public service for your own good and the general good of the society. 

4.  Educate the violator: If people are allowed to do the wrong thing unchallenged over and over again, they later see such acts as being a right. This means that, once violating others becomes part and parcel of people, their ability to see it as something wrong dies naturally. Therefore, when you encounter a prospective violator or a confirmed violator, educate them. When you educate a violator, you are indirectly appealing to his or her raw emotions and raising their dead conscience. This is in addition to the fact that you will always insist on your rights and never give in to being violated. 

5.  Never let go when you are violated: When you are violated by whoever, never let go. You can do this by writing letters, short notes on social media, talking to the media, approaching the authority to complain or even seeking redress. If need be, engage the service of a lawyer or meet human rights organisations for assistance. Note that accepting such violation is like accepting failure. Never accept failure. Continue to challenge it until you defeat it and get justice. 

6.  Challenge your violator in court: This means that for every abuse or violation you suffer, there is compensation awaiting you to claim it. Worthy to equally note is that, in a country where public officers violate people with ease, some people’s job is claiming compensation from violators. They have no other business. Claim yours. 

7.  Never violate others: We are expected to protect people and not to violate them in whatever capacity we are, just as we expect not to be violated. Some people violate others where they are powerful, and cry for being violated in another way. Knowing how bad we feel when we are violated, we should also try to avoid the temptation of making others go through what we don’t want to go through. 

8.  Speak politely and softly: Speaking rudely to a violator is not a good way to correct them or to protect your right. Actually, it may make the victim prone to more violation. When you speak to people harshly, they tend to reply you in the same manner, and if they are in the position to do more than talk, they do so with anger. You must cultivate the habit of speaking politely while maintaining your stand.  

9.  Follow up till the end: As soon as you report the case to higher authorities, it is your duty to always follow up the case. Even in court, you must follow up to get justice. It is wrong to report a case and never follow it up. It would be assumed that you are not sure of what you reported. However, when you report a case, always spare time to go ask about the progress and be willing to add additional information if need be. If they abandon your report and you show up asking, definitely, they must continue to work on it until the end. If you do not follow it up, you will have helped the violator commit the violence. 

10.  Role of the media: When incidences of human rights violations are reported or highlighted by the media, they serve to: 

• Caution violators against the behaviour because of negative publicity. 

• Inform relevant authorities (including human rights organisations and the police) of an atrocity that needs to be investigated or punished. 

• Enlighten the public on the possibility of occurrence of certain violations. 

• Expose what could have gone unnoticed by many people. 

• Educate people on how to avoid being victims of such acts of violations. 

11.  Role of the police: When a person who has been violated reports the case to the police, they usually investigate and in some cases arrest the violator. This may be followed by a court process if the case is confirmed. By so doing, they discourage occurrence of violations. When the police are alerted before the violation occurs, they can help to prevent the violation. Police officers also take part in educating the public of their rights as a way of preventing some of them from occurring.  

Activity 10.3 

Discuss more ways in which we can prevent violation of human rights.

Cases of human rights violation

An example of cases of human rights violation in Rwanda is the Genocide against the Tutsi. Many peole were killed. Over one million people perished in only 100 days. Tutsi women were raped, others were abducted and tortured.

Basic human rights with a special focus on gender equality and children’s rights

Activity 10.4

Rwanda is one of the countries where people’s rights are respected including women and children. 

1. Discuss measures put in place to respect children’s rights in your school and community. 

2. Enquire from your elders at school and at home about the following as far as rights of women and children are concerned: 

• Isange one stop centre 

• Umugoroba w’ababyeyi 

• Abunzi

Children’s rights 

A child is a person who has not attained the age of 18 years. Children rights are the rights that children are entitled to, and they can legally claim. Children’s rights include the following: 

(i) Right to education from the state and parents 

(ii) Right to good health 

(iii) Right to basic education 

(iv) Right of protection against any kind of harm such as physical assault

 Other rights of children are: 

(i)  Children should not be separated from their parents except by the decision of authorities and court. 

(ii) The state should protect children from any kind of violence including sexual exploitation. 

(iii) The state should look after children without families. It should provide suitable protection and settlement for them. 

(iv)  Handicapped children are entitled to medical care (treatment) and special education. 

(v) Children should access medical care and public health care. 

(vi)  The state should protect children against economic exploitation and hard labour. 

(vii)  Children should not face corporal punishment and life imprisonment.

(viii) Children should not participate in any hostilities such as armed conflicts. 

(ix) Children should not be mistreated or neglected by their parents, friends, guardians or the state. 

(x) Children should be prevented from dropping out of school.

Note! 

Children’s rights are mainly provided by parents, guardians and the state.

Gender equality

The constitution states that all persons are equal before the law. They all have the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law. This means that every person has a right to the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. 

Women and men have the right to equal treatment and to equal opportunities. The constitution states that there should be no discrimination against any person because of sex/gender, race, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic/social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth. 

Among the legal instruments in place is the 2003 constitution, that provides for 30 percent automatic representation of women in decision making organs. 

The quota has since surpassed within various organs, notably the parliament which constitutes double the provision, with 64 percent of the seats occupied by women. 

The executive comprising cabinet ministers and ministers of state, the women constitute 36 percent.

Remember!

In the past, the woman has been discriminated against socially, economically and politically. It is important that the citizens recognise that though gender differences do exist, they need not lead to discrimination as both sexes have important contributions to make to the nation. It is also the responsibility of the citizen to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of each gender.

Sexual abuse and gender-based violence

Sexual abuse is unwanted sexual activity.  It is committed by people who use force, make threats or take advantage of victims who are not able to give consent. Most victims and perpetrators know each other. Sexual abuse can happen to a person of any gender. This form of abuse can happen to:

(a) One of the two people who are married. 

(b) A child 

(c) People with disability 

(d) Any person found in a risky place or situation.

Gender-based violence on the other hand is violation of human rights against a man or woman. It includes rape, sexual assault, stalking, battering and other acts that may cause harm to a person. Gender-based violence can result in physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to the victim. It undermines the health and dignity of the victim. The victim also suffers sexual and even reproductive health consequences which may include: 

• Forced or unwanted pregnancy 

• Abortions 

• Fistula 

• STIs including HIV 

• Death 

Sexual abuse and gender-based violence may happen anywhere including our homes, schools and other public places. Always avoid places that may pose a security risk to you. When abused or violated: 

 • Seek treatment from a nearby health facility. 

• Report the offender immediately to the police. 

• Inform another person or an adult near you for help. 

• Resist to avoid further damage

Once the violation has occurred, do not be afraid to seek for counselling. Talk about it. Other people may have a way of helping even after the act of violence. 

Citizen duties and responsibilities

Activity 10.5

1. Make a list of rights provided by your parents/guardians. 

2. As a good child, state your duties to your parents

Rwanda is our motherland. As good citizens, we have duties and responsibilities towards our country. 

Citizen duties 

(i) Obeying the law: Citizens should serve specific purposes such as helping people, preventing accidents and allocating resources fairly. 

(ii)  Paying taxes: This is because the government uses tax money to develop the country and to pay civil servants.  People pay taxes as a percentage of what they earn. Taxes are also levied on the purchase or sale of goods or even property. 

(iii)  Serving in court: Every adult citizen must be prepared to promote justice. He or she can witness at a trial if called to do so. This will promote justice. 

(iv) Respecting other people’s property: People must respect public property and the property of others. Vandalism and littering are acts of disrespect and criminal too. 

(v) Respecting diversity: Citizens should be tolerant by respecting and accepting others regardless of their beliefs, practices or differences. 

Citizen responsibilities 

(a) Defending the nation: All able bodied men and women above 18 years should voluntarily register with the government. They should register in order to serve in the armed forces. This way, they provide security to the citizens and their property in the country. 

(b)  Attending school: The government requires young people to attend school so that they get education. 

(c) Being informed: Citizens need to know what the government is doing so that they can voice their opinions.  People can learn about issues and leaders by reading print publications and listening to news. They can also get the news through talking to people and searching the internet. 

(d)  Contributing towards common good: This involves taking time, putting effort, and contributing money to help others. It also involves improving the community by being an active member of the society.

Revision questions 

1. Explain what is meant by the term ‘human rights’. 

2. State the principles of human rights. 

3. Explain the various forms of human rights violation. 

4. Discuss various ways of preventing human rights violation. 

5. State five rights of children.