To begin with, universal rights are the basic introductory rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world. They apply regardless of religion, country, and how you choose to live. Various forms of human rights include freedom of expression, the right to health, the right to education, and the right to life. Human rights are important because they protect people from abuse and exploitation, promote mutual respect and dignity, and promote a united and peaceful world. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the root for human rights and international legal, instruments. The article seeks to unveil various forms of human rights.
Freedom of opinion and expression
Freedom of expression and opinion is one of the universal rights that people exercise around the world. The coming of information at our fingertips has made people provide their opinions and express their freedom differently. The world has turned into a small global village in which information is now travelling faster and easier. People exercise their freedom of opinion and expression through different platforms such as social media and protests. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 19, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, states that everyone has the right to express their ideas, even if others disagree. A society needs to be popular. Moreover, freedom of opinion and expression is violated in various ways which include violation of private life, defamation, hate speech, obscenity and pornography, public order, national security, classified information, and trade secrets.
Maternity leave
Women during the pregnancy phase face issues which shows how universal rights are being violated. Some women face discrimination, others have unpaid maternal leave and others have their jobs occupied by other people. Maternal leave is a fundamental human right. Maternal mothers and infants’ survival is at the core of healthy life itself. The left of leave is essential in allowing mothers to recover from childbirth and return to work while providing enough care to their children. If the leave is too short this may end up affecting the performance of the mother as she may fail to cope with pressure both from home and at work. Women usually end up having wage penalties due to long leave days.
Right to education
We can use education to lift people out of poverty and inequality. One cannot talk about universal rights without mentioning the right to education. It is not just about having education but having quality education that grooms the beholders of tomorrow’s future.UNESCO reports that 244 million children and youth are still out of school due to social, economic, and cultural reasons. Child labor is a disturbing issue because poverty forces children to work to help support their families. In as much as the family would want to survive, the children or the youth need to go to school.
Right to health
More so, health is a precious asset that we need in our lives, as a universal right. It is also the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. In addition, it is more important to maintain good health than to appreciate it when it has depleted. We must cherish our lives and make the most of every moment. Without access to health facilities, it is as good as one is dead. Health is important for our well-being and when we are healthy everything seems to be better and moves in a better direction. Not only do people feel better when healthy but they are also more productive in the communities and at work. The right to health contains freedom, entitlement, health services, goods, and facilities.
Right to life
Everyone has a right to life whether, in their birth country or foreign country, no one has to deprive them of such privilege. It is the right to be alive and to be free from harm. We must respect everyone’s right to live without fear of being killed because it is essential for human dignity and well-being. It allows us to enjoy all of our other universal rights. People get to live their life and enjoy it to the fullest. However the right to life is not absolute, one can justify killing in cases such as self-defense during war.
Conclusion
In conclusion, universal rights are fundamental elements to all humans. Although in some countries people still find themselves violating human rights. People are denied their universal rights to health, education, maternal leave, life, freedom of expression, and opinion. Universal rights are important because they protect everyone and ensure that everyone can live their lives to the fullest and be treated with respect. They also promote human dignity and equality. We must protect everyone’s rights as much as our own.
You may also be interested in: