CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS
FIRST TERM E-LEARNING NOTE
SUBJECT: CIVIC EDUCATION
CLASS: SS 3
WEEK NINE
LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights can be restricted for the overall good of the citizens and the country at large in the following ways:
1. A citizen may be denied some of his rights if he is detained by law.
2. A citizen’s right to life may be denied if he is condemned to death by the law court as a result of murder, armed robbery etc
3. Right to life is also restricted by the law which forbids a citizen from killing himself or herself.
4. Right to fair hearing cannot be exercised beyond the highest court which is the Supreme Court in Nigeria.
5. Right to private property may be restricted by the right of the state to compulsorily acquire private property for public use.
6. Declaration of dusk to dawn curfew in periods of emergency or chaos may limit the right of a citizen such as freedom of movement.
7. The police in enforcing law and order can ban public assembly and demonstrations which will deny a citizen his right to freedom of association and assembly.
8. A citizen suffering from insanity may be deprived his rights to safeguard the rights of others.
9. The court can also restrict the movement of a citizen if he/she has a serious case pending in court.
10. Rights to the freedom of expression and press are restricted by the law preventing individuals from saying or publishing statement that could damage the personality of others (laws of slander and libel).
11. Some public office holders such as the president, governor, parliamentarians, ambassadors, judges cannot be sued while in office because they enjoy protection of the law called ‘immunity clause’.
12. A citizen may be denied his rights if he is detained on medical ground in order not to spread contagious disease if such citizen is suffering from a contagious disease.
13. Existence of military rule or an unpopular dictatorial government can lead to restriction of citizens’ rights.
14. Rights to freedom of speech and expression are also limited by the right of an individual not to have his image or personality criticized, as it is against his moral values.
15. Rights can be restricted by legislation which criminalises certain conducts such as abortion, homosexuality etc.
16. A citizen’s rights may also be denied if his/her country has economic and trade sanctions imposed on it which may affect the livelihood of its citizens.
17. The right to political participation may also be restricted by factors such as the low level of literacy, poor health conditions and lack of financial resources to finance campaigns for election or appointment into office etc.
18. The rights of a child may also be restricted by the right of a parent to discipline his/her child through appropriate punishment and restriction.
19. The right of a citizen to religious freedom can be limited by section 10 sub-section 1 of the Nigerian constitution which prohibits any individual or group from using Nigeria territory as an Islamic state, etc.
20. Human rights can also be restricted by other conventions and declarations that are yet to be domesticated in the law of a country.
While human rights play an important role in promoting individual freedoms and social progress, they can sometimes be limited or restricted for various reasons. Some of these restrictions include detention or imprisonment, death sentences, curfews during emergencies or chaos, restrictions on freedom of movement or assembly, and so on. Other factors that can restrict human rights include existing legislation, public office holders with immunity from prosecution, economic sanctions imposed on a country, low literacy levels or poor health conditions preventing citizens from participating in political processes, and so on. Ultimately, it is up to each individual nation to determine which rights are most important, and how best to balance these against other societal needs and obligations.
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. State five limitations to human rights.
2. What are the reasons for these limitations?
3. What is power?
4. Define authority.
5. Explain the organs of government.
6. How can the rights of a child be restricted?
7. What are some factors that may limit or restrict human rights in a particular country?
8. How do public office holders with immunity from prosecution impact the protection of human rights?
9. What are some examples of legislation that could restrict or limit human rights, and why?
10. Do you agree that economic sanctions can restrict the rights of citizens in some cases? Why or why not?
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. Which of the following can limit the freedom of expression? A. Libel law B. Public order law C. Compulsory property acquisition laws D. Customs and tradition
2. The right to freedom of speech is limited by the law of
A. slander B. speech C. article D. conversation
3. Right to free movement can be restricted during all of the following except
A. chaos B. war C. curfew D. peaceful protest
4. Right to life is limited by the law which forbids a citizen fromA. ownership or properties B. committing suicide C. freedom of association D. personal liberty.
5. All rights have limitations. True/False?
6. Which of the following is NOT a common restriction on human rights?
A. legal restrictions B. economic sanctions C. public office holders with immunity D. religious beliefs
7. Which of the following can be used to restrict or limit human rights?
A. legislation B. public opinion C. cultural norms D. social conventions
8. What are some factors that may impact how human rights are protected and promoted in a particular country?
9. How do economic sanctions, political instability, or poor infrastructure and education levels impact the protection of human rights in a country?
10. Do you think that public opinion can help to protect or promote human rights in a society, or are these rights too important to be influenced by popular beliefs or attitudes? Why?