Cadet Masculino CJJ

Sec F C Co

Right to Live

Charley Reese once said, “If you believe in the right to life, then you must
believe in the right to have the means to defend that life”. All human beings are born
free and equal. Everyone has the right to live, to be free, and to feel safe (Articles 1
and 3, UDHR). But sometimes, these rights are being challenged by circumstances.

A perfect example of challenge to human rights was seen in the movie entitled
“Courage under fire”. The first thing that was very evident as violation was the
deprivation of life. It was perfectly displayed in the movie through the fratricide between
the ground forces of United States. The tank commanded by Lt. Col. Nathaniel Serling
accidentally fired at a friendly tank handled by Boylar. In this part, Lt. Col Serling and
his team was very adamant to find a target and fire it up that they failed to distinguished
that it was already their friendly tank that they have fired upon. They have the time and
capacity to positively identify whether the one they will be shooting is an enemy but
they chose to guard themselves and fire. This act eventually causes the lives of a
friendly team and thus, depriving those people of their lives. Yet along the way, Boylar
was able to defend his life when Lt Col Serling eventually release the truth about his
mistake during that time of war.

Next scene that clearly expresses a violation to human rights was when Capt
Karen Walden was left by her own team, fighting on her own. This is a clear
manifestation of deprivation of life because Capt Walden was still alive, covering the
team that is currently being rescued. The rescue chopper was supposedly for the
whole team but then Monfriez suddenly told the pilot that Capt Walden is already dead.
This was an intentional act to deprive Capt Walden of life because the two had an
argument about who is in command, and who is to follow. This resulted to Capt Walden
being burnt in explosion, done by the friendly forces itself. Despite the challenge to
Capt Walden’s right to live, she was able to fight for her right when she was given the
medal of honor.

Lastly, the commission of suicide by Monfriez definitely deprives his own right
to live. Because of conscience, he commits the act of killing himself which violated his
own right to life. But this may also be his way of fighting for his right to live in a way
that he is already free from his conscience. It may be not the right thing to do, but it is,
in his own point of view.

At any point in time, everyone’s right to live will be provoked and challenged. It
may be violated or given less importance. But one must always think that every person
has the obligation to fight for it. Yet one can only fight for something if he or she
believes and gives importance to it. At all cases then, the right to live must never be
denied. Again, everyone must always remember that “If you believe in the right to life,
then you must believe in the right to have the means to defend that life” ~Charley
Reese.