Unit10 Human Rights

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UNIT

10

Fundamental Human Rights andObligations

Welcome to unit 10. In unit 9, you learnt that a citizen of Zambia hasmany rights that s/he has to enjoy. These rights are outlined in theconstitution under the Bill of Rights. The right to vote is one of therights that every citizen has. You also learnt that every Zambian citizenwho is 18 years and above has the right to vote. Therefore, in this unit,you are going to learn about the fundamental human rights andobligations. It is my hope that you will learn a great deal and enjoystudying this unit.

What is in this Unit?

This unit is in 2 sections:Section 1: Rights Provided in the Constitution of Zambia.

Section 2: Violation of Human Rights.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

define human rights

outline the rights provided in the constitution of Zambia

discuss Human Rights obligations

outline the institutions and organisations that promote and

Protect human rights

explain the limitations to Human Rights

discuss forms of Human Rights violations

Study Time

The sections in this unit should take at least 2 to 2 hours. You mighteven finish in two hours. If you take more time than this, don't worry.What is important is to finish all the sections and do all the activities.

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KeyIdeas

Fundamental:Means seriousand veryimportant

Obligation:these are dutiesthat one issupposed toperform.

Conscience:The ability tothink what isright or wrong

that determinesa person'sbehaviour.

Section 1: Rights Provided in the

Constitution of ZambiaWelcome to section 1 of unit 10. In unit 9, you learnt about elections.You also learnt about the right to vote which should be exercised by all

the citizens. In this section, you are going to learn about what a right isand the rights found or provided in the constitution of Zambia. I hopeyou will enjoy studying this section.

History of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by thethGeneral Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948. All

member states and all peoples of the world are called to promote andobserve these rights and freedoms set up in the declaration. Zambiaratified the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rightsimmediately after its admission as a member of the United Nations on

st1 December 1964.

Now you remember that in unit 1, you learnt that Civics is the study ofrights and duties. As a citizen, you have rights that you have to enjoy.These rights are provided and protected by the constitution. What areyour rights as a member of your community? In the space below, writeyour answers:

..........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

Did you manage to write the answers correctly? If you did not, you cancompare your answers with the rights mentioned below. But first let uslook at the meaning of the word right.

A right is a lawful benefit or claim you expect from the community. Therights that are outlined in the Constitution of Zambia are calledFundamental Human Rights. Human Rights are rights that any personenjoys as a human being. Part III of the Constitution of Zambia containsthe Bill of rights. A Bill of rights is a document that describes thefundamental rights and freedoms of the people. Every citizen has an

obligation to observe respect and promote these rights. These rightsthat are covered in part III of the Constitution of Zambia are outlined asfollows:

Right to Life;

Right to be protected from torture;

Right to liberty;

Right not to be held as a slave or forced to work;


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Freedom of conscience and religion;

Freedom of expression and opinion;

Right to move from one place to another;

Right to nationality;

Right to own property;

Right to quick and fair trial. For example, a person detained for over48 hours without trial can ask the court of law to be tried or to bereleased if there is no case against her or him. This is known as a Writof Habeas Corpus and;

Freedom of assembly and association.

For the details concerning these rights refer to unit 6, section 3 on therights and duties of a citizen.

Limitation to Human Rights

It is important for you to understand that there are limits to each of theserights, for example, every citizen has the right to own personal freedom,

but if a person commits a crime such as trespassing in someone's yard,the affected person has the right to report such a case to the police.Therefore, you should always bear in mind that where your freedomends, another person's freedom begins.

I am sure by now you know what a right is, how our rights are coveredand protected by the constitution of Zambia.


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Now that you know what a right is and the rights provided andprotected by the constitution of Zambia, complete the followingactivity.

Activity 1

1. What is a right?

Well done if you every thing correct. If you did not, do not be

discouraged, all you need to do is to go through the section again. You

will find answer at the end of this unit and compare them with yours.


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Answer the questions below.

Circle the correct letters below.


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- torture,

- food,

- clothing,

- accommodation,

- labour

What should the Government do to make people stop violating human

rights? Write your answers in the space below:..........................................

...........................................................................................................................

You might have written that the Government should educate and

sensitise people on human rights.

There are institutions that promote and protect human rights in Zambia

such as:

Permanent Human Rights Commission (PHRC).

Judiciary.

Amnesty International.

Inter-African Network for Human Rights and Development

(AFRONET).

Law Association of Zambia (LAZ).

Zambia Civic Education Association (ZCEA).

Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF).

Young Women Christians Association (YWCA).


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Now that you know what violation of human rights is, complete the

following activity.

Activity 2

1. What is violation of human rights?

You will find the answers at the end of this unit. Compare them with

yours.


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Answer the questions below.

Circle the correct letters below.


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Unit Summary

In this unit, you learnt that a right is a lawful benefit or claim you exceptfrom the community. These rights are outlined in the constitution ofZambia and they are known as Fundamental Human Rights. Human

rights are rights that every human being should enjoy. Some of theserights are right to life, right to liberty, freedom of expression andopinions and right to a nationality. Every citizen has an obligation toobserve, respect and promote these rights. However, Human rightscan be violated, if they are not observed, respected and promoted.Violation of Human Rights is a very serious offence. If one is foundguilty by the court of law for violating human rights, s/he may becharged and punished by the court of law.

Child abuse, child labour, corporal punishment and separation of achild from his or her parents are some of the examples of violation of

human rights.

You also learnt that there are institutions that promote and respecthuman rights in Zambia such as the Permanent Human RightsCommission (PHRC), Judiciary, Amnesty International, AFRONET,Law Association of Zambia and Zambia Civic Education Association(ZCEA). I hope you enjoyed studying this unit and that you did allactivities successfully. If you were unable to achieve the learningobjectives, you may go through the sections again.

Answers to Activities in this Unit

Activity 1

1. A right is a lawful benefit or claim a person gets from a communityor nation.

2. i. Right to life

ii. Right to liberty

iii. Right to own property

iv. Right to move from one place to anotherv. Right to quick and fair trial

3a. Rule of Law

d. Writ of Habeas Corpus

f. Legal Aid

Activity 2

1. Violation of human rights means not respecting and observing

people's rights.


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2. - Women's rights

- Childrens'rights

- Mentally retarded's rights

- Prisoners' rights

3. Right to be protected from torture

4. Amnesty International

Glossary

Conscience: Knowing what is right or wrong,especially in your own actions.

Corporal Punishment: Beating with a stick for committing an

offence.

Discrimination: Unfair and unjust treatment.

Fundamental: This means very important

Mentally Retarded: Mentally disabled people or slowlearners.

Obligation: These are duties that one has to perform.


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Unit10 Human Rights

Documents

Transcript of Unit10 Human Rights