Theory question 101
Human RightsSection A: National Ethics, Discipline, Rights and Obligations
(a) Define human rights.
(b) Suggest four conditions under which human rights can be violated in Nigeria.
(c) Explain three reasons for which it is necessary to entrench citizens' rights in the Nigerian constitution.
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(a) Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms every person is entitled to simply because he or she is a human being, e.g. right to life, dignity, fair hearing; in Nigeria they are entrenched in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.
(b) Any four: declaration of a state of emergency; war; military rule; imposition of curfew; conviction by a court (imprisonment, death sentence); outbreak of contagious disease (quarantine); compulsory acquisition of land for public use; abuse by security agents; a weak or compromised judiciary.
(c) Any three, explained:
Makes the rights supreme and difficult to remove (rigid amendment process).
Gives citizens a legal basis to go to court to enforce them.
Limits government power and prevents tyranny.
Gives citizens confidence and promotes democracy.
Meets international standards (UDHR, African Charter).
Three parts; marks split.