HUMAN RIGHTS

PART I. INTROSPECTION
1. Do you think there is progress in reducing human rights violations?
- Over the past few years, there has been progress in reducing human rights
violations—even if it is just a mere drop in the ocean. One example of progress is for the
women to be able to cast their votes and raise their voices against political issues
concerns. Women, in the past, were not able to express their opinions not because they
don’t want to but because of what society has labeled women to be. They were only seen
as slaves to men and nothing else. Then came those who were brave enough to put an end
to women’s oppression. Because of them, the women today know they're worthy of being
heard—they are now able to cast their votes in an election and even run as the candidate
themselves. Not only that, but the abolition of slavery and death penalty are also proof
that there is progress in reducing human right violations. Though there may still be a long
way to go, progress is still progress.
2. What is the importance of being educated about human rights to you as a scholar?
- Every civilization throughout history has created mechanisms to guarantee social
cohesion by upholding the duties and rights of its individuals. Young people who are
taught about human rights benefit not just society but also themselves. Young people in
modern cultures are increasingly exposed to social exclusion processes, religious, racial,
and ethnic diversity, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of globalization. These topics
are covered in human rights education, which can also assist individuals in making sense
of the various attitudes, values, and beliefs that exist in the contemporary multicultural
society in which they live. Human rights education is crucial for scholars because it
enables us to hone our knowledge and skills so that we can become young agents of
change in our communities.
3. Does the development of a country depend on the protection of human rights?
- Development is a human right that belongs to everyone, individually and collectively.
The development of one nation does depend on the protection of human rights. The
nation comprise the people and without the protection of their rights, society would not
function. Everyone has a right to take part in, contribute to, and benefit from the
economic, social, cultural, and political development that allows for the full realization of
all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The nation's solutions to a number of current
crises and difficulties can be guided by the right to development, which embodies the
human rights principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation, transparency, and
accountability as well as international collaboration and solidarity. Without the protection
of human rights, society would crumble—there can be no sustained peace, no stability,
and no protection from harm.
PART II. REALIZATION
1. I realized that human rights are crucial for a society to function. Human rights are necessary to
defend and uphold each person's inherent value as an individual being and to enable them to lead
dignified, honorable lives. Human rights are flexible in a way that it continues to evolve
according to the needs of the people, the government, and the community.
 2. I have realized that the right to due process is crucial for the protection of human rights and is
core to every democratic society. No individual shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property
without due process of law, as stated in the Philippine Constitution of 1987. Due process is
defined in this context as the right to be handled fairly, quickly, and successfully by the
administration of justice. Due process rights set restrictions on laws and court cases in order to
ensure fundamental justice and fairness.
3. I have come to the realization that being in authority and being able to wield such power can be
so influential. There is a line from a song that says “Never be so polite, you forget your power.
Never wield such power, you forget to be polite,” and I think that this can be correlated with those
who have no power compared to those who have, yet, abuses it. Abuse of power refers to the
willful use of authority for certain ends that are not morally justifiable because they frequently
serve only to maintain the power structure, a political regime, or an unjust social and economic
system. The unfortunate part is that no one will ever hold these powerful public figures
accountable for amassing unjustifiably large fortunes or treating those on the margins unfairly
since they are shielded by their position.
4. I have also realized that majority of the Filipino people are not completely aware of their rights.
Some may know some of their rights, but they haven’t known past their knowledge. Living in a
world full of chaos, people must always know their rights to protect themselves from harm. To
know that there are Filipinos out there who have no opportunities to acquire knowledge regarding
their rights is truly disheartening. I believe that every single one of us must be aware of our rights
so that we will be able to fight for what we want, and also able to realize people who want to take
advantages of us.
PART III. APPLICATION
1. With the knowledge I possess of my rights, I would utilize it to share my opinions more clearly,
yet, still being mindful of the consequences of my own actions, be it positive or negative.
However, I would be careful not to violate other people's rights with my words or actions. I could
use my knowledge to improve myself significantly in the near future. No matter how
insignificant, every action has the ability to have an impact.
2. Now that I am aware of my rights, I would work to make others aware of theirs as well as
emphasize the value of understanding and exercising one's rights. Knowing our rights offers
protection to all of us, especially to those who experience abuse, neglect, or isolation. Most
significantly, these rights provide us strength and empower us to speak up when a public authority
treats us unfairly and to resist such behavior.
3. Most importantly, I would serve as an example for the community. The most effective way to set
an example is to let them observe a law-abiding individual who is aware of and makes use of their
rights. I hope to influence the way in which people think and act in abiding the laws and inspire
those who watch to hopefully be more aware of their rights and spread the word to those around
them.