(a) Outline any three fundamental human rights of a citizen. (b) What are the limitations to these rights?

Answer Details

(a) Three fundamental human rights of a citizen

Fundamental human rights are the basic entitlements guaranteed to every citizen by the constitution, which the state is bound to protect. Three of them are:

1. Right to life: Every citizen is entitled to live, and no one may be deprived of life except in the execution of a lawful sentence passed by a competent court.
2. Right to personal liberty: No citizen may be arrested or detained arbitrarily; a person may only be deprived of liberty in accordance with due process of law.
3. Right to fair hearing: Every citizen is entitled to a fair and public trial within a reasonable time by an impartial court, and is presumed innocent until proved guilty.
4. Right to freedom of expression: Every citizen has the right to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.
5. Right to freedom of movement: Every citizen is entitled to move freely throughout the country and to reside in any part of it.

(Any three of the above are acceptable.)

(b) Limitations to these rights

Fundamental rights are not absolute; they are subject to limitations designed to protect the wider society. They may be restricted:

1. In the interest of public order, safety and security: Rights such as movement and assembly may be curtailed to prevent riots, crime or breach of the peace.
2. In the interest of public health and morality: Freedoms may be limited to control epidemics or to protect public decency and morals.
3. During a state of emergency or war: Government may lawfully suspend or restrict certain rights when the security of the state is threatened.
4. To protect the rights and freedoms of other persons: One citizen's exercise of a right must not injure the rights, reputation or property of others (for example, freedom of expression is limited by the law of libel and slander).
5. By the ordinary operation of the law: A person lawfully convicted by a court may be deprived of liberty or, in some jurisdictions, of life; and lawful detention and taxation restrict individual freedom.