Human Rights And Civil Responsibilities (Duties)

 

Human rights and civil responsibilities are complementary entities. The two are coin of the two sizes. They are therefore related to each other. For this reason Agarwal observes that "in the absence of duties rights become insignificant and duties are fruitless in the absence of rights". Thus, while rights of citizens are to be guaranteed by the state to the citizens then it became pertinent that citizens reciprocate by observing certain duties to the state. A duty connotes an obligation. In other words, it signifies an expectation i.e. what is or are expected of a good citizen to his/her state, he/she claims and resides in, If citizens are to enjoy their inalienable rights it is expected that citizen have to render certain duties or obligations to the state. Obligations may be enforced or compelled on the citizens. It can as well be voluntary, legalized or carried out on moral ground.

Obligation can accordingly be classified into moral, legal, Political and socio-economic types:

a. Moral duties of citizens are listed to include: service and regard to parents, teachers, elders, brothers, sisters, and relatives and family members. It is a matter of moral of duty to extend helping hand to the poor and the needy, to serve our village, province, district, state, nation and the world at large in whatever capacity. It is the duty of every one to work and raise money to maintain and keep the family. To this end the Holy Bible says in I Timothy 5:8, "If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever". Also in Hebrew 13:1, it said that, "let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers remember those imprison and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body".

a.                   Legal duties are based on legal interpretation. Individuals are legally compelled and or bound to observe some kinds of legal obligations otherwise he/she is punished. It is a matter of obedience and conformity to rule and order.

Legal duties are summarized to include obedience to the constituted authority, payment of prescribed taxes, showing loyally to the country, joining the army and other paramilitary institutions to defend the nation if circumstances call for it.

b.                   Political duties spell out concern for all forms of political or civil obligations.

These are often achieved by means of mobilization, public enlightenment, awareness campaign, seminar, workshop, talk shop, public information etc. The mass media: the radio, television, the press (Newspapers, Magazine, Periodical are often extensively used, in letting the people understand and aware of their political duties. Besides, political parties through their campaigns, rallies, and seminars etc, government agencies like National Orientation Agency (NOA), former MAMSER, EFCC and Non-Government Agencies help to spread awareness on political duties among the citizens.

Political duties could be in form of participation in policies, constructive criticism of government policies and programmes, reject a bad candidate, political party and policy during the election period, recall, changing or putting in place a new government in non-violence way, constant and regular contact with their representatives to discuss matter of common interests. As a matter of duty the populace serves as watch-dog on the activities and performance of political leaders and government.

d. Socio-economic duties of the citizens emphasize obligation to be productive, contribute to the economic growth and development of the state. I means duty to be gainfully employed either as a public worker or privately or self employed individual Economically, it becomes an obligation to be a producer or contributor rather being a mere consumer

It is incumbent on every rational individual to strive for social security, favourable condition of life, production of wealth instead of over depending on public or government charity always.

In socialist and communist states there is law stipulating that no work no food and that what you earn for a living should be in proportion to your input You receive or take according to your contribution to the state economy.

e.                   Under the 1948 Universal Declaration of rights duties to the community to ensure full development of one personality is expressly stated. It simply means self-discovery, self-actualization, self-development in the spheres of mental, psychology, physiology and in confidence irrespective of gender, age, status. Profession and socio-religious and political application.

In a nutshell every citizen should reserve the duty to be responsible, responsive, show obedience, loyalty, allegiance and support to the government provided the government is sensitive, responsive, and good in terms of leadership and in public service (Jega, 1994, Oielabi and Abatope, 2001).

On the final analysis duties and obligations are summarized as fundamental duties.

They include the followings:

i.                     Active involvement in political life. A citizen should participate in making democracy work. He/she must be actively involved in the process of nation building.

ii He/she should be willing to engage in all form of civil responsibilities voting, joining political parties cultivate the habit of influencing policies and programmes of government and be prepared to run for political office.

iv  He/she should take interest in public affairs, participate in public or civil organization, He/she should be prepared to render military service to the nation when required, and should not engage in any criminal acts.

v According to Bade Onimode in the CDC minority report, citizens should engage in productive labour, defend the constitution and the nation, support law and order, produce property, expose all forms of bribery and corruption, etc. All students of higher school education, degree and HND should be ready to serve the nation in the NYSC scheme for a year after completion of their studies.

vi Citizens are expected to pay all prescribed taxes promptly and honestly.

vii Citizens are expected to obey the laws of the land, help the security agent (Police) to arrest offenders and criminals by giving useful information on the activities of the criminals.

viii Citizens are expected to be patriotic and nationalistic in their attitude to the nation i.e. to protect fellow citizens, protect the security of the nation and be vigilant against the activities that threaten the security of the nation.

They should protect moral integrity of the nation by not engaging in drug trafficking, human child and woman trafficking, currency trafficking, money laundering, profiteering, smuggling, kidnapping, terrorism, cyber fraud and any other related crimes and offences.

In spite of all warnings and campaign most Nigerians are not patriotic as they behave contrary to all the listed duties and obligations. Due to increasing level of poverty, inequality, unemployment, security lapses, interacy and indeed infrastructural decadence duties and civic responsibilities suffer the more among the citizens. Worst still, the widespread of corrupt practices among public/political office holders either appointed or elected, duties and civic responsibilities remain elusive in Nigerian and other third world countries. The problem of abuse of duties and civic responsibilities is blamed more on the elite class than any other segment of the society.