Chapter 2 - Rights and Responsibilities

Question 1

What are Human Rights?

Answer 1

• Human rights are freedoms that enable individuals to have their needs met and to develop fully as human beings.
• Every person is entitled to human rights and to the protection of these rights.
• Unfortunately many people throughout the world are denied these rights.

Question 2

Name the first Key Document for human rights.

Answer 2

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

• The UDHR sets out the rights that every person is entitled to
• The UDHR consists of 30 articles
• The UDHR was issued by the United Nations in 1948
• A declaration is a formal statement but it is not legally binding

Question 3

Name the second Key Document for human rights.

Answer 3

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

This document sets out the rights that every child is entitled to.
These rights can be broadly grouped into four categories:

• Survival Rights
• Development Rights
• Participation Rights
• Protection Rights

A child is any person under the age of 18.
A convention is a document that is legally binding.
Ireland ratified this convention in 1992.

Question 4

What are responsibilities?

Answer 4

• Responsibility goes hand in hand with rights.
• We have responsibilities towards other people, our community, our country and the environment.
• Failure to take responsibility may result in the rights of others being denied.

Question 5

What are the rights and responsibilities in the community?

Answer 5

• A Community is a group of people who have something in common with each other.

You belong to many communities. Examples include:
• Family Community
• School Community
• Sports Team
• Local Community

Question 6

Name some rights and some responsibilities in school.

Answer 6

Rights:
• The right to an education
• The right to be treated fairly and equally
• The right to be represented by a Student Council

Responsibilities:
• A responsibility to observe school rules
• A responsibility to do your best in school
• A responsibility to respect other members of the school community

Question 7

What rights do you have as an Irish citizen?

Answer 7

You have the right to:

• A passport
• The right to own property
• The right to vote in elections
• The right to marry

Question 8

What responsibilities do you have as an Irish citizen?

Answer 8

You have a responsibility to:

• Pay taxes
• Obey the law
• Respect the rights of others
• Keep the environment litter free

Question 9

What is the purpose of Citizen Information Centres?

Answer 9

Citizen Information Centres provide Irish Citizens with information on their rights and entitlements.

Question 10

What issues do Citizen Information Centres provide information on?

Answer 10

Information is provided on the following issues:
• Social Welfare
• Housing
• Family Law
• Taxation
• Consumer Law
• Government Departments
• Information for refugees and asylum seekers

Question 11

What is Amnesty International?

Answer 11

Amnesty International is a worldwide organisation that campaigns against human rights abuses throughout the world.

Question 12

When was Amnesty International set up? Who founded the organisation?

Answer 12

Amnesty International was set up in 1961 by Peter Beneson.

Question 13

What are the main aims of Amnesty International?

Answer 13

The main aims of Amnesty International are:

1. To promote an awareness of human rights issues

2. To campaign against human rights abuses such as:
– The Death Penalty
– Prisoners of Conscience
– Child Labour
– Child Soldiers
– Worker exploitation
– Racism and Discrimination

Question 14

What is a Human Rights activist?

Answer 14

A Human Rights activist is someone who speaks out against human rights abuses.

Question 15

Name some well-known human rights activists.

Answer 15

• Mary Robinson
• Bono
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu
• Nelson Mandela
• Bob Geldof
• Aung San Suu Kyi
• John Hume
• Fr.Peter McVerry
• Adi Roche

Question 16

What practices deny animals their rights?

Answer 16

• The fur trade
• Medical experiments
• Cosmetic testing
• Cruel agricultural practices
• Blood sports
• Hunting

Question 17

What is animal welfare?

Answer 17

Animal Welfare involves looking after domestic pets and caring for them so that they can live healthy lives.

Question 18

Animal owners have a responsibility to look after the animals in their care. Name some of these responsibilities.

Answer 18

• Providing food and drink for their animals
• Ensuring their pets get adequate exercise
• Injecting animals against diseases

Question 19

Name some organisations that promote animal welfare and campaign for animal rights.

Answer 19

• ISPCA
• Compassion in World Farming
• PETA
• Irish Seal Sanctuary

Question 20

What is the difference between needs and wants?

Answer 20

In order to survive there are certain needs humans require.

Our most basic needs are:
•Food
•Water
•Air
•Safety

Wants are things that we desire but are not necessary to our survival.