AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE HUMAN RIGHTS DISCOURSE IS IMPORTANT
Through work and lived experiences,
I notice that the more I talk about human rights, the more I discover that this
is a discussion that is very important and might never end because on many
occasions, when I meet people with whom I haven't interacted before and take a moment
to ask whether they know their rights?" the responses many a times take us
to the starting point on a scale of ten.
Let's settle this by stating that
there are many definitions of the concept or term "human rights" but
we may agree that human rights are natural entitlements that accrue or belong
to all of us or everyone by virtue or reason of being human. My strict
interpretation is that rights belong to the living being. The moment one dies,
their rights cease. Please get me well here. The dead have no rights, they have
respects. They can no longer live, move or have their being.
The key principles, characteristics
or standards of human rights are that they are universal for everyone
everywhere; inalienable meaning that they cannot be taken away from someone as
long as they live; inherent in that we are all born with rights from within us;
inseparable, indivisible, interdependent in that touching one right leads to
touching another and lastly for now, rights are enjoyed on the basis of non
discrimination and equality. They point to the fact that all of us are born
free and equal in dignity and rights.
Human rights are categorized into
first generation rights incorporating civil and political rights which are
mainly concerned with checking the excesses of the State. They include the
rights to vote, personal liberty, expression, self determination and
participation in the affairs of one's government. The second category or generation
comprises of economic, social and cultural rights which focus mainly on the
welfare of citizens. They include the rights to education, association, practicing
a religion or culture of one's choice, decent housing, marriage and founding a
family, among others. Lastly, we have group or solidarity rights that focus
more on the entire group of people seeking to enforce a particular right or
rights. Their examples cut across since they combine both first and second
generation rights.
Let me also say something about limitation
of human rights. When we talk about the standards of rights, it sounds as
though they are absolute. Not really. Human rights have limitations and for the
case of Uganda, these are provided for under Article 43 of the Constitution to
the effect that in limiting human rights, consideration has to be given for
public interest and that the limitation has to be justifiable in a democratic
society.
Friends, the call remains. Each of
us is a human rights defender who under Article 1 of the United Nations
Declaration on Human Rights Defenders is anyone who individually or in
association with others promotes or strives for the protection and realization
of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international
level. Wherever you may be, starting with your home, you are called upon to
undertake acts and actions that promote rights. We are also required to work
using peaceful means at all times and within available legislation. Better
still, we must have a known context of operation in that people in our
communities or regions must know us as human rights defenders. That's how some
people have been able to win awards because they are known and identified and
verified based on the issues they address within their context.
Conclusively, we know that the
government or the State with all its agencies has the three-fold mandate to
respect, protect and fulfill human rights. This is however, not to send us to
sleep. We have to contribute to our own protection of rights and fundamental freedoms
by being vigilant enough to claim for them. This comes with understanding which
or what these rights and freedoms are, otherwise we cannot claim for what we
are ignorant about. Ultimately, we seek a universe where everyone is loved,
respected and valued, recognizing that no person is greater than another. What
unites us is life.
Here is a song for us, please click on the link to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOWas_lOxKU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEmxoXTCnOo
Robert Mugisa Abwooli
Human Rights Defender and Advocate
Comments
Post a Comment