Realization of fundamental human rights in Nigeria

People have rights and responsibilities. The first is the subject of the main interest, especially in civilized countries. Keep reading to know about the fundamental human rights in Nigeria.

Fundamental human rights in Nigeria

Before we talk in detail about the human rights in Nigeria, let’s figure out the general notions.

Human rights can be identified as rights, which are objective in the nature, inalienable, natural, belonging to a human by his/her human nature. They are certain social claims, measures of socially justified freedom of human behavior.

Fundamental human rights in Nigeria

Characteristics of human rights

Human rights are characterized by the following features:

arise and develop on the basis of the natural and social essence of human, taking into account the constantly changing conditions of society;
they are formed objectively and do not depend on state recognition;
they belong to the individual from the birth;
they are directly operative;
have an inherent character and are recognized as natural (like air, land, water, etc.);
they are admitted as the highest social value;
they act as an essential part of the law, a certain form of expression of its main content;
they represent the norms and principles of the relationship between citizens and the country, providing the individual with the possibility to act on his own or receive certain benefits;
their recognizing, compliance and protection are the country’s duty.

Fundamental human rights in Nigeria

Types of human rights

Civil (personal) rights belong to an individual as a biosocial being. They warrant the freedom and autonomy of the individual as a society member, save him/her from any illegal external interference in private life (the right to freedom, to life and personal security, to honor and dignity, to citizenship).

Political rights include rights that warrant the possibility of citizen participation in the state’s political life and its power. Political rights are recognized only for residents of the state, since the indispensable condition for their possession is the existence of citizenship (liberty of speech, voting rights, thoughts, conscience, peaceful meetings).

Economic rights - the legal possibilities of an individual to freely place of the means of production, labor and consumer goods (to work, to be an owner, to inherit, free occupation by business operations).

Social rights - the rights to welfare and a decent standard of living (rights to: social security in case of illness, by age, disability, loss of breadwinner, housing, medical care, upbringing of children etc.).

Cultural human rights provide spiritual development and self-realization of a person (the right to: take part in cultural life, education, freedom of creativity, access to cultural values, cultural identity).

Fundamental human rights in Nigeria

Fundamental human rights

Everybody has been born equal and free.
Any individual should not be discriminated.
Everyone has the right for life.
Nobody can make to become a slave.
No tortures.
Everybody has the same right to use the law.
The law protects everybody.
Right for fair courts and exception of unfair detainment.
Nobody should be blamed until it is proven.
Freedom to move.
The privacy right.
Everybody must have the possibility of marriage and having a family.
Intellectual liberty and freedom of word.
If you want and have such possibility, you can have your own property.
Social quarantees and democracy.
Everybody has right to have a job and join a trade union.
Relaxation is the right for everybody.
The right of education.
The right of having a decent life.

Fundamental human rights in Nigeria

Fundamental human rights in Nigeria and their realization

African Charter on Human and People's Rights or how it is also called Banjul Charter is a mean of defense of the essential human rights and freedoms in Africa. It became active in 2005. If it is followed correctly and really works let’s try to figure out below.

Another tool of realization and defense of human liberties in Nigeria is the National Human Rights Commission (starting from 1995). In 2012, Amnesty International raised suspect to Nigeria Police Force in oppression and impact on the functioning of the National Human Rights Commission.

Nigeria's human rights record are still poor, it is pity to recognize but officials of our government are keeping to introduce heavy abuses at all levels.

As per the information, provided by the US State Department, the heaviest abuses of human liberties are:

Extrajudicial killing and the excess of jurisdiction;
Relief from punishment for the misuse of security bodies;
Illegal arrests;
Long-term pre-trial detention;
Judicial corruption and influence on the judiciary by executives;

Fundamental human rights in Nigeria

Torture, violence, cruel or degrading treatment of prisoners, people held at a detention facility and suspects;
Harsh and fatal conditions in prisons and detention facilities;
Human trafficking for forced labor and prostitution;
Social violence;
Child labour, child abuse and child sexual exploitation;
Female genitals mutilation (FGM);
Violence in family;
Discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, province and religion;
Limitations on freedom of assembly, movement, press, speech and religion;
Violation of privacy rights;
The reduction of the right of residents to initiate the change the government.

Fundamental human rights in Nigeria

Under the Shari'a criminal code, which is applied to Muslims in 12 northern states, violations such as homosexuality, consumption of alcohol, godlessness and stealing carry severe punishments, inclusive of amputation, reproach, bridges and long-term prison sentences.

Unfortunately, it is our reality. We must stand upon or rights, because they were given to us at the birth. Hope for the bright future of our country including the issue of human rights realization.