# Rights and Responsibilities ## Duties of a Citizen A state provides facilities to its citizens and expects that they should also perform their duties. An ideal citizen performs the following duties: 1. **Payment of Taxes:** Every state imposes taxes to meet expenses and provide social services. Citizens must pay taxes honestly to support the welfare state concept. 2. **Loyalty to State:** Citizens must be loyal to their state, prioritize its interests over personal ones, and be willing to sacrifice for it. Patriotism is considered a great virtue. 3. **Loyalty to Laws:** Abiding by state laws creates a healthy atmosphere and aids advancement. The state ensures the rule of law and social equality. 4. **Keeping an Eye on Social Criminals:** Citizens should watch their surroundings and report anti-state activities to law-enforcement agencies to discourage crime and promote peace. 5. **Helping Government's Institutions During Calamities:** During disasters like floods, earthquakes, or terrorist attacks, citizens should assist government institutions, for example, by donating blood. 6. **Sanctity of Vote:** In democratic states, citizens must vote on merit by comparing political party manifestos to elect eligible candidates. 7. **Say No to Corruption:** Corruption is harmful to society. Good citizens reject corruption and support the state in dealing with corrupt individuals. ## UN Declaration of Human Rights 1948 The UN General Assembly adopted the **Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)** on **December 10, 1948**. It outlines fundamental freedoms and rights for all humans. **Key Articles:** * All humans are born free and equal. * Everyone is entitled to rights without discrimination. * Right to life, liberty, and security. * Prohibition of slavery and servitude. * Prohibition of torture or cruel treatment. * Equality before the law and right to fair trial. * Freedom of movement, residence, thought, conscience, religion, opinion, and expression. * Right to nationality, property, and to marry and found a family. * Right to participate in government, social security, work, rest, and leisure. * Right to an adequate standard of living and free education (elementary stages). * Right to participate in cultural life. ## UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Passed in **1989** and implemented in **September 1990**. **Key Articles:** * A child is anyone under 18. * Rights apply without discrimination. * Right to education (free and compulsory primary). * Right to life, name, and nationality from birth. * Protection from separation from parents unless in the child's interest. * Protection from trafficking, violence, and abuse. * Right to express views, freedom of thought/religion. * Right to health services and protection from child labour. ## Child Labour Work that deprives children of their childhood, dignity, and potential, and is harmful to their development. **Worst forms (ILO Convention no. 182):** * Slavery, trafficking, forced labour, recruitment for armed conflict. * Prostitution or pornography. * Illicit activities (e.g., drug trafficking). * Work harming health, safety, or morals. ## Harmful Child Labour Work likely to harm health, safety, or morals (ILO Recommendation no. 190): * Work underground, underwater, or at dangerous heights. * Work with dangerous machinery or heavy loads. * Unhealthy environments (dangerous substances, temperatures). * Work under difficult conditions (long hours). ## Women Rights and Gender Discrimination **Women rights:** Fundamental human rights ensuring freedom, equality, and access to opportunities in education, employment, politics, and health. **Gender discrimination:** Inequality based on gender, rooted in cultural norms. **Goal:** Promote women empowerment and equality through legal reforms and advocacy. ## Women Rights in Pakistan * **Constitution Article 25:** Equality before law, no discrimination on the basis of sex. * **Constitution Article 34:** Steps to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of life. * **Laws:** Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act (2010), Acid Crime Prevention Act (2011). * **Transgender Rights:** Recognized as a third gender in 2009 by the Supreme Court. ## Human Rights under the 1973 Constitution Articles 8 to 28 detail fundamental rights: 1. Life and liberty according to law. 2. Protection from illegal arrest and double punishment. 3. Right to fair trial. 4. Prohibition of slavery and forced labour. 5. Dignity and privacy of home. 6. Freedom of movement, assembly, association, trade, speech, and religion. 7. Right to information and property. 8. Equality before law. 9. Free education for children aged 5-16. 10. Equal access to public places and services. 11. Right to preserve culture/language. ## Status of Human Rights in Pakistan The 1973 Constitution details human rights, but implementation is key. Violators must be punished. The **Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)** monitors violations. The 2023 report showed severe concerns. Upholding the rule of law is essential. ## Status of Basic Human Rights in the Health and Education Sectors in Pakistan * **Health:** Limited quality healthcare and staff shortage in rural areas. Need for increased funding. * **Education:** Disparities between urban and rural areas. Government needs to improve facilities in remote locations. ## Role of Education in Poverty Alleviation in Pakistan Education secures jobs, attracts investment, and fosters entrepreneurship. Vocational education provides skills. Educated farmers improve crop yields. Research boosts national income. ## Importance of Self-Sufficiency in Food Access to food is a fundamental right (Article 25). Self-sufficiency ensures a healthy population and social cohesion. **FAO Goals:** Improve nutrition, production, and rural conditions. **SDG 2:** Zero Hunger by 2030. ## Human Rights and Minorities Minorities (religious, ethnic) must be treated equally. **Pakistan Constitution:** * Equality before law. * Prohibition of slavery/torture. * Right to life/liberty. * **Religious Freedom (Article 20):** Right to profess, practice, and propagate religion. * **Articles 21 & 22:** Safeguard educational rights and exemption from religious taxes. ## Animal Rights Animals deserve humane treatment. Issues include scientific testing, cruelty in farming, inadequate care, and entertainment exploitation. **International Agreements:** UDAW, CITES, CBD, OIE Standards. **State in Pakistan:** Organizations like **PAWS** and **VSAWB** work for animal welfare. Government has included animal rights in the curriculum. Stronger legislation and enforcement against mistreatment (e.g., of horses, donkeys, wildlife trade) are needed. **Solutions:** Awareness campaigns, stronger laws, policy coordination, training, more veterinary clinics, community involvement, and international collaboration. ## Organizations involved in Rights ### Child Rights * **UNICEF:** Focuses on nutrition, health, education, and protection globally. * **Save the Children:** Provides relief and advocates for rights in developing countries. * **CRIN:** Advocates for policy changes and legal reforms. * **Sahil:** Focuses on preventing child abuse in Pakistan. * **SPARC:** Advocates for child rights in Pakistan. * **Edhi Foundation:** Provides shelter, education, and healthcare to orphans. ### Women Rights * **UN Women:** Works for gender equality and empowerment. * **IWRAW:** Advocates for government accountability under CEDAW. * **WGNRR:** Focuses on women's health and reproductive rights. * **Aurat Foundation:** Works for women empowerment in Pakistan. * **APWA:** Advocates for welfare and rights of women in Pakistan. * **WAF:** Advocacy group for gender equality in Pakistan. ### Animal Rights * **World Animal Protection:** Advocates ending animal suffering globally. * **PETA:** Focuses on animal testing, factory farming, clothing, and entertainment. * **HSI:** global animal welfare advocacy. * **PAWS:** Rescues and rehabilitates animals in Pakistan. * **VSAWB:** Education and research for animal welfare in Pakistan. ## The State of Child Labour in Pakistan and Ways of Improvement Millions of children work in agriculture, domestic roles, and manufacturing. **Improvements:** Enforce laws, ensure quality education, provide incentives (meals/stipends), poverty alleviation programs, awareness campaigns, action against employers, and monitoring systems. ## Case Studies of Child Heroes in Pakistan 1. **Iqbal Masih:** Child activist against abusive labor. Sold into bonded labor at 4, escaped at 10. Assassinated in 1995. Awarded Tamgha-e-Shujaat. 2. **Arfa Karim:** Computer genius, youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (2004). Awarded Pride of Performance. Died in 2012. 3. **Aitzaz Hasan:** Stopped a suicide bomber from entering his school in Hangu (2014), saving classmates but sacrificing his life. Awarded Sitara-e-Shujaat. ## Case Studies of Women Role Models 1. **Samina Baig:** First Pakistani woman to climb Mount Everest (2013). UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador. 2. **Sana Mir:** Former cricket captain. First Pakistani bowler to take 100 ODI wickets. Advocates for gender equality. 3. **Maryam Mukhtiar:** Fighter pilot. Died in a crash in 2015 while steering the aircraft away from a populated area. Awarded Tamgha-e-Basalat. ## Rights of Disabled Persons **Definition:** Individuals with long-term impairments hindered by barriers. **UN Laws:** * **CRPD (2006):** Non-discrimination, accessibility, equal opportunities. * **UDHR (1948):** Applicable to all. * **SDGs (2030):** Goals 4, 8, 10, 11, 17 relate to disabilities. **Pakistan & Disabled Persons:** * **Disabled Persons Employment and Rehabilitation Ordinance 1981.** * **National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2002.** * **ICT Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2020:** Rights to non-discrimination, employment quotas, healthcare, etc. * **Organizations:** STEP, Special Olympics Pakistan, Pakistan Disabled Foundation.