STD: VIII
Chp: 17. UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
1. What is meant by Human Rights? Mention some of the rights guaranteed by this
Declaration.
Ans: Human rights are the inalienable fundamental rights, which every human being is
entitled to have, simply for his being a human. As such human rights are universal and
egalitarian, i.e. they are the same for everyone.
Human rights refer to those freedoms which should be available to all persons, irrespective of
their religion, race, caste, sex, nationality or any of them
The term "Human Rights" also refers to those rights that are considered universal to
humanity, regardless of citizenship, residency status, ethnicity, gender, or any other
considerations.
These rights include the right to life, the right to freedom, the right to equality, the right to
education, which all human beings are entitled to.
2. What is the expanded form of UDHR
Ans: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
3. . State and explain the main features of Human Rights.
Ans:
i.
Human rights are inalienable. This means that these rights cannot be taken away or
cannot be transferred.
ii.
Human rights are interdependent and indivisible. The international community must
treat human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on same footing and with the
same emphasis.
Human rights are equal and non-discriminatory. This means that all human beings
are equally entitled to human rights without any discrimination
Human rights entail some obligations. These obligations mean that we should respect
the human rights of others.
iii.
iv.
4. When was the first Human Rights Day celebrated? Why?
Ans: Human Rights Day was first celebrated on December 10, 1948. This is because the
General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on this day in Paris.
5.
a) What do Article 1 and 2 of the Declaration of Human Rights proclaim?
Ans:
Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed
with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article: 2: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration
without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
b) What do Articles 1 and 2 of the Human Rights Declaration signify?
Ans: Article 1 and 2 of the Human Rights Declaration signifies everyman’s freedom; the
universality of human rights, the brotherhood of man and prohibits discrimination in any
form.
6. Which is the world’s largest international non-governmental organization working
for human rights? Where are its headquarters located?
Ans: Amnesty International is the World’s largest NGO, launched in 1961. Its headquarters
are in London.
7. Name the International, National and Non-Governmental organizations fighting for
Human Rights.
Ans:
Non-Governmental: (International)
1. Amnesty International
2. Human Rights Watch
International:
1. UN Human Rights Commission
2. Centre for Human Rights
National:
1. National Human Rights Commission of India [Govt.]
2. Peoples Commission [NGO in India]
8. Categorise broadly the Human Rights into Civil, Political, Economic, Social and
Cultural.
Ans: The rights ensured by UDHR are grouped under five categories:
Civil Rights:
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of
each state
2. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Political Rights:
1. To take part in the government of one’s country
2. Right to nationality
Economic Rights:
1. To own property
2. To social security
Social Rights:
1. To marry and to form a family
2. To education
Cultural Rights:
1. To freely participate in the cultural life
2. To the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific,
literacy or artistic production.
9. What do you understand by ‘Violation of Human Rights’? Give examples.
Ans: Violation of human rights means to deny individuals basic human rights. In other
words, it means to treat some individuals as if they are less than human and undeserving of
respect and dignity.
Human rights violations occur when actions by states or individuals abuse, ignore, or deny
basic human rights (including civil, political, cultural, social, and economic rights).
Furthermore, violations of human rights can occur when any state or non-state act or breaches
any part of the UDHR treaty or other international human rights or humanitarian law.
Examples: Examples of Human rights violations include massacres, genocide or a single
ethnic racial or ethnic group, torture, slavery, rape, medical experimentation, deliberate
starvation, sexual abuse, forced labour, mass expulsions, forcible relocations, and
discrimination on the basis of religion, ethnicity, race or gender.
10. Give examples of Human rights’ violation during war
Ans: War crimes may include taking hostages, firing or bombing civilian localities that are
undefended like schools or hospitals or inhuman treatment of prisoners and purposeless
destruction of property.
11. How are the Human Rights of women and children violated?
Ans:
Women: Some of the Human rights violations on women include rape, sexual humiliation,
and prostitution. It also includes strict dress code, denial of education and forcible marriage,
domestic violence, physical and mental torture, which impose severe limitations on the basic
rights and liberties of women.
Children: Children’s physical and intellectual immaturity makes them more vulnerable to
human rights violations. The Human Rights violations may include the use of children as
soldiers, child labour, torture, inhuman conditions in juvenile homes and orphanages and
sexual violence.
12. How can we check violations of Human Rights?
Ans: It can be done by creating awareness and protesting against inhumane treatment.
Various International, National and Non-Governmental Organizations [NGOs] also fight for
Human Rights protection.
13. When was the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted and why?
Ans: The Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly in 1959 to
provide for every child the right to special protection, opportunity and facilities for a healthy,
normal development.
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