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Institution
Running head: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION 2
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
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
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
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.
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,
Running head: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION 3
political patronage ,and corruption. All these are introduced by the rulers with the aim of
However even developed nations still find themselves in this global problem, the most
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Slave trade takes the form of human trafficking from poor in Africa and Asia to work in
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
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
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
Running head: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION 6
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
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
Running head: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION 7
Congo and Kenya, there are several refugees’ camps under the UNHCR, which supports
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
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
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
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
Running head: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION 8
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
References
Sonia C. (2007). In State response to international human rights pressure (p. 10). Manchester,
England: Manchester university.