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Human Rights Violation

Name

Institution
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Introduction

Human rights are fundamentally inherent principles and norms that a person is entitled to

enjoy by virtue of being a human being. Human rights are inalienable, and are not only universal

in nature but also protected as well. ( Beitz 2009 )

Even though human rights are diverse in nature, there are some human rights that are

universal in nature. Civil rights, political rights, among others are universal thus enjoyed by

every human being irrespective of race, nation religion, gender or status.

This paper seeks to bring out several scenarios, where countries have with abandon,

violated the very human rights enshrined in their constitutions and denied its subjects the said

rights. This is despite the fact that most of these countries ratified the U.N charter on human

rights and pledged to protect the rights of its citizens. It also attempts to find a long lasting

solution in ending of this negative vice.

The idea of protecting human rights was first mooted in 1919 during the sighing of the

treaty of Versailles. This was triggered by the aftermath of the First World War. Prisoners of war

were treaded in the most denigrating manner, since then, several treaties and declarations have

been sighed, ratified and is legally binding with sanctions against member states who negates on

it.

The various types of human rights violation

Even though the disturbing issue of human rights is experienced in all parts of the world

,third world and second world countries tend to lead as human rights violator with most cases

reported in Africa and in Asia ,this has been attributed to lack of democracy ,dictatorial regimes,
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political patronage ,and corruption. All these are introduced by the rulers with the aim of

silencing dissenting voices.

However even developed nations still find themselves in this global problem, the most

violated human rights are

Right to life

This right is among the most violated right .In Africa, leaders who rule with iron firsts,

use state machinery and apparatus to kill those opposed to their despotic rule. The scenario is

repeated in Asia, and in the South American countries. Article 1 of the very human being has the

inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his

life. , countries that still give out death penalty violate this right. Right to life also covers other

practices that can lead to death, abortion, self-defense, war and euthanasia falls under this

category.

Political oppression and intimidation

Violation of one’s political rights comes in different forms. Political discrimination,

where some humans are viewed on racial, tribal and gender lens thus discriminated upon. Denial

of political rights is also another form of political oppression. The apartheid system in Africa can

be better used as an illustration. The current political stalemate between the French speaking

North and the English speaking South in Cameroon arose due to political discrimination and

oppression by the majority. Jailing of opposition leaders and their supporter on frivolous grounds

has become a norm in many countries forcing the dissenting voices to seek political refugee in

other countries.

Freedom of Religion, thought and conscience

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Article 18 of the International covenant on civil and political rights states that every

person is entitled to enjoy his freedom of religion ,thought and conscience, it further grants one

freedom to change his religion, thought either individually, or as a community, however some

states still forcefully deprive its citizens the freedom of religion and conscience.

Right to a fair trial

This right has been continually violated more so while settling of political scores. The

fact that everyone is entitled to a fair cannot be disputed, however this inherent right ought to be

given a lot of emphasis mostly on the fact that the trial must be conducted in a public hearing

before an independent and impartial tribunal.

The accused must be accorded the fair trial rights in both civil and criminal proceeding to ensure

fairness and justice. The rights includes, the right to interpretation, mostly where language

barrier is an issue ,right to be heard within reasonable time ,right to access and be represented by

an advocate.

Freedom from slavery

The gory images and pictures circulating on the internet gives a reality check that even in

the 21st century ,slavery still thrives as seen in Libya. This goes against article 4 of the universal

declaration of human rights which states that at no given time should one be held in slavery and

be subjected to any aspect of servitude, it further prohibits slave trade business.

Slave trade takes the form of human trafficking from poor in Africa and Asia to work in

servitude in the sex industry abroad.

Freedom from torture

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Many people are subjected to torture in order to give information ,or make confessions

during interrogation ,globally many people have succumbed to death. Torture is also used as a

tool of oppression by the ruling elite to muzzle those who hold contrary idea. African immigrants

to the middle-east to are subjected to torture by their employers. Most torture victims normally

disappear without trace ,and are buried in unmarked graves

Freedom of movement

In countries like North Korea, the citizens lacks the luxury of freedom of movement as

the state has limited their movement they ought to seek permission from the state before

travelling abroad.

Women and children to undergo a lot of untold suffering as they are greatly discriminated

upon, not only are they raped, molested and sexually harassed but also been used as shields and

child soldiers in war torn areas due to the fact that they are gullible therefore they are more

prone to attacks.

Whereas it has been widely accepted in the west, transgender, homosexuals and lesbians

face stiff challenges, stigmatization and rejection in the rest of the continent.

Refugees who have been displaced due to war also have their rights violated as they live

under deplorable conditions, lacks basic human needs, and even the secondary basic needs

subjecting young girls to uncouth cultural practices and beliefs such as female genital

mutilation has a great psychological impact on their self-esteem.

From the above explained scenarios it can be argued that the rampant violation of human

rights emanates from situations created by human beings. Thus a long lasting solution has to be

found in order to end and curb this menace once and for all, for a continual violation leads to
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untold suffering of those whose rights are abused. The world must unite in slaying this monster

who has continued to rear its ugly head with impunity. As this adage says justice delayed is

justice denied.

The rule of law of law must be obeyed by all, this will automatically lead to the

protection of the universally accepted human rights, below are some of the solutions that will

eradicate and promote enjoyment of those rights.

Through the universal declaration of human rights implementation, with the assistance

from the relevant , united nations relevant body in charge of human rights, in liaison with

friendly nations and the pro human rights lobby groups, the following can be implanted.

Abolishment of death penalty by persuading the countries which still practices death

penalty to embrace life sentence as an alternative. The relevant U.N bodies should lead in this

campaign. In 2008, Pakistan expunged the death sentence from its system, and this, earned them

many accolades.

The recently enacted international humanitarian law provides more protection as it has

created peaceful areas in conflict zones it also advocates and supports dialogue and with the core

mandate of fighting for humanity, it has created several ad hoc committees which are mandated

to foster peace in war torn regions and ensure return to normalsy. Further the committees also

monitors compliance and adherence of the set human rights standards, and it reports any

violation to war tribunals and courts of justice for action to be taken against the perpetrators.

Humanitarian intervention also comes in hand in areas, where there is gross violation of

human rights, peace keepers are sent to such areas together with other humanitarian agencies. In
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Congo and Kenya, there are several refugees’ camps under the UNHCR, which supports

refugees who have been displaced.

Female genital mutilation and other primitive cultures should be discouraged, and

policies formulated to educate the masses o the dangers of this practice, more funds should be

channeled towards protecting the girl child and other vulnerable persons. Tougher sanctions

should be imposed on those who use rape as a weapon of war

Un should also get commitment from member countries in respect of upholding human

rights and that the member countries should do anything in their capacity to uphold the said

rights. This is the most efficient method which has worked in most times

However, despite the efforts and measures that has been put in place to help fight human

rights violation and restore the rule of law and human dignity, the united nations has faced a lot

of resistance from member countries who disregard the very own charter and treaties they

ratified. The member countries quote sovereignty thus claiming independence from interference

from bodies such as the U.N and other western nations.

Some member countries are also too reluctant to send their troops for peace keeping

mission. This is despite the fact that the troops salaries and expenses are catered for by the U.N.

Sanctions also faces some challenges in its implementation, as friendly nations ignore the

sanctions imposed on their neighbors .Warrants of arrest too have been faced with impunity ,AL

Bashir travelled freely in most African countries despite having a warrant of arrest for crimes

against humanity hanging on his head.

In conclusion ,human rights violation remains a big threat and a great hindrances

towards achieving the globalization dream of the world. however several steps and measures
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have been undertaken and implemented, and this has significantly reduced cases of gross human

rights violation, as compared to yesteryears. Even though anti human rights crusaders posits that

most of the treaties signed are merely persuasive and not fully binding, the proponents counter

their statement as made in bad faith and as untruthful. The dream for human dignity and respect

for human rights must be achieved.

References

Sonia C. (2007). In State response to international human rights pressure (p. 10). Manchester,
England: Manchester university.

Peter M. (2013). Human rights in world history. Westview Press.

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