HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION

Module 1

Nature and Definition

Human Rights – rights which are inherent in nature and without

which, we cannot live as human beings. It includes civil and political
rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

Human Rights allow us to develop and use our human qualities,

intelligence, talents and conscience and to satisfy our spiritual and
other needs. It is inherent and inalienable rights to life, liberty and
property.

Example: Every person has the right breath and eat. This is inherent
and you can exercise this right from the moment you were born.

Characteristic of Human Rights

1. Inherent – from the moment you are born, you have human rights.
It is not given or granted by anyone.
2. Fundamental – it is needed, without this rights, we cannot live as
human being.
3. Inalienable – you cannot sell your right. No person can take it,
transfer it and sold to another. It is a personal right.
4. Indivisible – not capable of being divided. It is a whole or
complete right and no one can deprive you of such right.
5. Universal – it applies to all people regardless of age, sex and
nationality.
6. Interdependent – the exercise of human rights cannot be had
without the realization of another.

Basis of Human Rights under the Philippines

- 1987 Philippine Constitution

o The most basic law in the Philippines. It is considered as the
mother of all laws. It is made so that person can live
peacefully and with dignity, safe from the abuse of any
individuals or institutions, including the state.

The concept and practice of human rights within the Philippines is

defined by Article III of the Philippine Constitution as well as the United
Nations' International Bill of Human Rights, to which the Philippines is a
signatory.
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 Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution or the so called Bill of
Rights, is a part of the constitution which enumerates the most important
human rights.

Sec. 1 Article III states that “No person shall be deprived of life,
liberty and property without due process of law nor shall be denied equal
protection of the law is the most sacred of all as other rights may be
considered useless without it.

Also, Section 11 Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states

that it values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect
for human rights.

Discussion:

So when we speak of human rights, it refers to our right as a person.

Your right to live, to eat and to be happy. From the time you are born, we
have human rights. No need to apply for human rights.

And in order to protect us in the exercise of our human rights as it is

not considered as unlimited right, and then we have government who made
laws in order to protect every person’s human rights.

That is why in the Philippines, we have the 1987 Constitution which

protects human rights. It serves as the guidelines how we exercise our rights
and what are the remedies in cases there are violations of our human right.

Basic Human Rights

When we say basic human rights, these are rights generally

available to all regardless of origin. These are Civil and Political Rights. The
two rights are a class of rights that protects the individual freedom from
infringement by governments, social organizations and private individuals,
and which ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of
the society and state without discrimination or repression.

Civil Rights - include the ensuring of peoples' physical and

mental integrity, life, and safety; protection from discrimination
on grounds such as sex, race, sexual orientation, national origin,
color, age, political affiliation, ethnicity, social class, religion,
and disability and individual rights such as privacy and the
freedom of thought, speech, religion, press, assembly, and
movement.

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 Political Rights - include natural justice (procedural fairness) in
law, such as the rights of the accused, including the right to a
fair trial; due process; the right to seek redress or a legal
remedy; and rights of participation in civil society and politics
such as freedom of association, the right to assemble, the right
to petition, the right of self-defense, and the right to vote.

Classification of rights

1. Natural Rights – God given rights and in inherent from the

moment we are born. Example: Right to breath
2. Constitutional Rights – Rights which is given by the constitution.
Example: Right to due process.
3. Statutory Rights – Rights given as a result of law enacted by the
lawmakers of the government. Example: RA 9275 or the
Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. This law protects the rights of
every person to clean water and to protect the environment.

Quiz:

1. Explain the concept of due process as provided in the 1987 Constitution

and why it is considered as a human right?
2. Explain what rights as enumerated under Article III of the 1987
Constitution which you considered the most important human rights.

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