CIVIC EDUCATION

S.S.2E-TEACHING

BY: AKINTUNDE,N.J.

HUMAN RIGHTS

ORIGIN OF HUMAN RIGHTS.Individual Rights derive from the theory of natural laws, which emphasizes the rationality of

human beings and dates back to classical Greek period. It stipulates a superior law of nature underlying objective, moral norms to which societal norms and laws must conform, for the fulfillment of certain human virtues. Modifications to this, recognized man as a member of a “polis”, i.e, state, and must enjoy privileges or rights sanctioned by either custom or law. The World Wars ( 1& 2), also gave room for the establishing of the human rights in use today. Nigerian Societies have clearly defined laws, but many acts of behavior were governed by traditions and taboos that were effective. Thus, in 1960 Nigeria Government entrenched the fundamental human rights into her constitution, from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10 December, 1948. Nigeria celebrates her own Human Rights’ Day on the 14th of December of every year.

MEANING OF HUMAN RIGHTS.Human Rights are inalienable rights to which a person is inherently entitled to simply because

he/she is a human being.They are the privileges an individual has for being a citizen of a state. They are the substantive

rights which are the basic rights that are regarded as existing naturally and indispensible.

LIMITATIONS TO HUMAN RIGHTS.• State of Emergency.• Wars/ Conflict.• Coup d’etat.• Curfew.• Environmental Sanitation Exercises.• Conviction in a court of law.EFFECTS OF EMERGENCY PERIODS IN A STATE.• Limitations of movement.• Limitations of speech.• Presence of Armed Security Men.• Absence of Political Activities.• Absence of Freedom of Assembly.• Citizens cannot go to the court of law for redress.• Physical torture and Harassment.