BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS
Basic or Fundamental Human Rights
These include all the rights a person can enjoy just because he or she is a human being. You can have all these rights irrespectiveof your age, sex, nationality, race or religion. For example right to life, food, shelter, etc.
We believe human rights are given by God.
Rights
Rights are benefits a person enjoys as a member of a group. For example the right to vote can only be enjoyed by citizens who are 18 years old in Ghana.
Some Examples of Rights
• Right to food
• Right to shelter
• Right to life
• Right to education
(Find out the meaning of these rights from your basic 4 notes.)
(Find other examples of rights from the internet.)
Human Rights Abuse Against Children
Abuse of Rights
Human right abuse is the use or misuse of one’s rights to the disadvantage of another person.
For example you have the right to be happy but that does not mean you can shout or play loud music to disturb other people.
Human rights abuse against children are sometimes more serious. For example child labour.
Some Human Rights Abuses Against Children
Some human rights abuses against children include child labour, sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, etc
a. Child Labour
Child labour is the act of forcing or allowing children to work to earn money. For example some parents force children to sell ice water in traffic.
Some are also forced to do fishing or work in cocoa farms to earn money to buy food or pay their fees.
Effects of Child Labour
I. Children are exposed to dangerous conditions that can cause accidents or death.
II. Children will become weak or look old since they are not strong enough for work.
III. They may not be well fed by their employers causing malnutrition.
IV. Some may use drugs like marijuana or alcohol since there’s no supervision.
b. Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is the intentional act of causing injury or pain to the body of a person.
This includes slapping the child, using belts or sticks to hit a child, burning, etc.
Effects of Physical Abuse
I. Physical abuses may cause injury, pain or even death.
II. They may cause fear and trauma.
III. Children who are physically abused may learn the act of abusing others.
IV. They may run away from home bringing about streetism.
C. Child Neglect
Neglect refers to the failure of a parent or guardian to provide for a child’s basic needs. Neglect can be emotional or physical.
Some parents fail to provide food or shelter for their children. Others do not make time to listen to their children.
Neglect may be caused by carelessness or unwillingness.
Effects of Child Neglect
I. Children who are neglected grow up having poor relationships with their children.
II. Neglected children may develop mental health problems like depression.
III. Some may resort to the use of drugs like marijuana or alcohol.
IV. They may dislike friendship and become lonely.
