Human rights can be classified and organised in several different ways. At an international level the most common categorisation of human rights has been to split them into civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights.
Human rights violations occur when actions by state (or non-state) actors abuse, ignore, or deny basic human rights (including civil, political, cultural, social, and economic rights). In efforts to eliminate violations of human rights, building awareness and protesting inhumane treatment has often led to calls for action and sometimes improved conditions.
Following are the Substantive Human Rights available to each and every citizen of the country :
a. Freedom from Torture and Slavery
Torture has been used as a method of political re-education, interrogation, punishment, and coercion. In addition to state-sponsored torture, individuals or groups may be motivated to inflict torture on others for similar reasons to those of a state; Since the mid-20th century, torture is prohibited under international law and the domestic laws of most countries. Further, Freedom from slavery is internationally recognised as a human right.
b. Right to a fair trial
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him. The right to a fair trial has been defined in numerous regional and international human rights instruments. It is one of the most extensive human rights and all international human rights instruments.
Right to a fair trial comprises of :
* the right to be heard by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal
* the right to a public hearing
* the right to be heard within a reasonable time
* the right to counsel
* the right to interpretation
c. Freedom of Speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, such as on libel, slander, obscenity, incitement to commit a crime, etc.
d. Freedom of Movement
Freedom of movement asserts that a citizen of a state in which that citizen is present has the liberty to travel, reside in, and/or work in any part of the state where one pleases within the limits of respect for the liberty and rights of others, and to leave that state and return at any time.
e. Right to Education
UN agencies, such as UNESCO, promote the right to education as a fundamental right. Education encompasses several thematic areas, including comprehensive sexuality education, which is also considered to be relevant for human rights
Human Rights in India
Human rights in India is an issue complicated by the country’s large size & population, widespread poverty, lack of proper education & its diverse culture, even though being the world’s largest sovereign, secular, democratic republic. The Constitution of India provides for Fundamental rights, which include freedom of religion. Clauses also provide for freedom of speech, as well as separation of executive and judiciary and freedom of movement within the country and abroad. The country also has an independent judiciary as well as bodies to look into issues of human rights.
The 2016 report of Human Rights Watch accepts the above-mentioned faculties but goes to state that India has “serious human rights concerns. Civil society groups face harassment and government critics face intimidation and lawsuits. Free speech has come under attack both from the state and by interest groups. Muslim and Christian minorities accuse authorities of not doing enough to protect their rights.
But in the recent years, more emphasis is given to minority rights & freedom of speech.The government is yet to repeal laws that grant public officials and security forces immunity from prosecution for abuses.
We at Human Rights and Anti Corruption Force are giving more importance in bringing Human Rights awareness among the general public and our Mentor Dr. V Munikrishna is a well known Human Rights Activist with more than two decades of vast experience in the field of Human Rights.