THE SEVEN CORE FREEDOM UDHR

The Seven Core Freedom in UDHR

The Universal Declaration on Human Rights set up specific human rights in thirty articles. However, the United Nations Development Programme in its 2000 Human Development Report, grouped these rights into seven core freedoms. These freedoms are:

Freedom from Discrimination by Gender, Race, Ethnicity, National origin or Religion (For Equality):

This means that all forms of discrimination must be eliminated. All human are equal, regardless of gender, race religion, ethnicity or age. There are people all over the world campaigning and fighting to protect the rights of groups and individuals who suffer discrimination.

Freedom from Want- to Enjoy a Decent Standard of Living:

This means that every human being should have access to the basic necessities of life; food, clothing and shelter. The socio-economic system must be managed to guarantee a minimum standard of living for all.

Right to Life, Liberty and Dignity of human person:

Everyone has the right to life and live in freedom and safety. Everyone has the right to be free from unlawful or arbitrary arrest, detention or deprivation of his or her liberty. Everyone is entitled to protection against violence, physical injury, threats and intimidation by state officials or private individuals, group or institutions.

Right to Freedom of Movement and to Choose a Residence:

Everyone has the right to come and go as he or she wishes within his or her country. But this right is subject to few limitations.

Right to Freedom from Forced Labour, Slavery-like Practices and Servitude:

Everyone has the right to be free from forced labour, unless it is a lawfully imposed punishment for a crime. Everyone has the right to be free from slavery, slavery-like practices including debt bondage and forced or servile marriage and servitude.

Right to Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly:

Everyone has the right to form a union or join one that already exists. Everyone has the right to strike as long as it is exercised lawfully. Everyone has the right to organize and to attend peaceful meetings. No one should be forced to belong to a group.

Right to Freedom of Expression, Thought, Conscience or Religion:

Everyone has the right to speak his or her mind, provided it is done in full respect of the rights and reputation of others. Everyone has the right to practice his or her religion freely, to change it and practice it either individually or with other people.

The Roles of Individuals and Groups in UDHR

Individuals and groups have important roles to play in promoting UDHR. The following are the roles of individuals and groups.

1.   Giving financial support to human right abused victims.

2.   Individuals are expected to become conscious of their rights as citizens and be ready to claim it.

3.   Have respect for the rights of their fellow beings, individuals should not abuse the rights of others.

4.   Individuals and groups should willingly report cases of human right abuse to necessary authority.

5.   Individuals should be ready to join human rights groups to promote respect for all human rights.

6.   Individuals and groups should ensure that they cast their vote during election to political parties who believes in protection of human rights.

7.   Individuals and groups should be ready to acquire more knowledge about human rights.

The Roles of Government in UDHR

1.   Government should strengthen the judiciary and the courts by ensuring the independence, efficiency and effectiveness of the courts.

2.   The government and its officials must obey the law and the decisions of the courts.

3.   The law enforcement agencies must be trained to know, respect and protect human rights in their dealings with citizens.

4.   Governments should enact laws that protect the rights of citizens.

5.   Public officials should be transparent and accountable as they do their jobs.

6.   Government should make every effort to eradicate poverty.

7.   Government should set up a commission to monitor and report human rights abuses in the country. In Nigeria, there is the National Human Rights Commission.

8.   There should be separation of powers to limits the powers of those in public offices.