Daily Times

We always highlight the lack of rights in our country. But practically, how many people know their basic rights? How many people find time to read the constitution of Pakistan, which gives us our fundamental rights?

Eventually, we all are dependent on human rights activists or NGOs. We behave as if it is enough that they are aware of the rights and doing their work and it’s only their responsibility to support, defend and raise a voice when necessary. We thus seek an escape from our responsibilities. When a blatant violation of rights comes to light, we habitually blame the human rights activists for failing to protect everybody.

The common man should know his basic rights. Every individual is free. You are allowed your freedom but it has its boundaries. These boundaries protect your rights. They are the reason people cannot harm one another. We are all safe from one another on account of the constitution and the laws. Human right laws are there to help us get along. They help us live in peace.

After the end of World War II, the United Nations came into being in 1945. It was started by Five Powers: France, China, Britain, the United States and Soviet Union.

The purpose was to bring peace to the world. Today, many countries, including Pakistan, are members of the UN. On December 10, 1948, the UN General Assembly officially announced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; which comprised 30 points. In this charter, the UN showed its faith in fundamental rights the worth and the dignity of humans and equal rights for men and women to promote social progress and better living standards. How many people have studied this charter?

It is our duty to acknowledge and protect other people’s rights and freedoms

Every single person has equal rights and dignity. Without any kind of discrimination such as race, sex, colour, religion, language, property or nationality, everyone has the right to life, liberty and security. Slavery, slave trades, torture or cruelty, degrading treatment and punishments are prohibited in all forms. We are all equal before law.

Violence and discrimination are not allowed. If somebody treats you inhumanly or unfairly, you have the right to ask the law to help you. Nobody has the right to put us in prison without a valid reason or send us away from our country. The right to fair trial is also available for everyone. If a criminal charge is filed against you, you have the right to a public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.

If someone claims that you are a criminal, you have the right to ask them for proof. Nobody is allowed to attack you personally. We are all innocent until proven guilty. We all have the right to privacy. No one can attack our name, no one has the right to enter our homes; open our laptops, letters and personal drawers or threaten our families. Travelling rights are also in our hands. We are free to move and travel to another country or wherever we wish to go. Seeking a safe place to live is our right.

Nationality is an important right. Nobody can change our nationality without our permission.

Men and women are allowed to marry by their choices and have families together. Nobody is permitted to take away our personal things without our permission. We are the sole owners of our things.

Freedom of speech and opinion is our right. If we do not want to join a party or group, nobody can force us. Democracy is our right. We are allowed to choose our own leader.

If we want to work with our friends and people in peace to defend our rights, the charter clearly allows us. Social security is our need. Through national and international efforts or co-operation, the state is responsible for providing us with a house, education, medicine, and medical help, if we are ill or old.

Without any discrimination, we all have the right to choose our favourite field to work or join a trade union. Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours. In holidays, we also can play and are allowed to take part in sports. In the charter, it is clearly mentioned that we all have the right to a good life. Children, old people, disabled or unemployed have the right to be cared for.

A special law exists about copyrights protecting our own articles, creations, and writing. Others cannot make a copy without our permission. It is our right to enjoy the good things: science and art.

We can freely participate in the cultural life of the community. We all have the right to enjoy a fair and free world.

The Constitution of Pakistan gives us many fundamental rights, including the right to education, security and equality. Freedom of trade, business or any profession and freedom of press. It protects us from slavery. In fact, Article 251 preserves and promotes languages, cultures and scripts.

Women should know their rights.

Article 25 assures their equality. For the protection of women and children, Articles 25(3) and 26(2) allow the state to make provisions.

Article 26 and 27 provide equal access to public places and employment in the public and private sector.

Article 11 and 37 (g) prohibit human trafficking.

Article 35 orders the state to protect the marriage, family, mother and her child.

Article 37 (e) ensures maternity benefits for women in employment.

Reservation of seats for women in the legislature is secured in Articles 51 and 106.

Child marriage and forced marriage are prohibited.

Insulting modesty and causing harassment, torture, custodial death and rape are crimes under Section 376 of Pakistan Panel Code, 1860. The protection against harassment of women at the working place act was passed in March 2010 to create a safe working environment for women.

If we analyse, we will realise that all humans have failed to achieve this ideal place. There are many laws to save everyone. However, we can only benefit from these laws by using the rights in our daily lives. It is our duty to protect other people’s rights and freedoms too.

Nobody has the right to interfere in someone else’s life or take away their rights.

When you are aware of your rights, then instead of blaming the state, you can make a better relationship. If we don’t know our human rights, we lose them.

The writer is a writer, educationist and social worker. She tweets @FahminaAbuzar