Introduction to Human Rights: Right to Life

Introduction to the Right to Life, Liberty, and Security

• The right to life, liberty, and security of person is a fundamental human right recognized in international human rights law.
• This right is enshrined in various international instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
• It is considered a cornerstone of a just and democratic society.

The Right to Life

• The right to life is generally understood as the inherent right to exist.
• This right is often understood as implying a prohibition against state-sanctioned killing except in limited circumstances, such as lawful use of lethal force by law enforcement officers in self-defence or in defence of others.
• It commonly includes the prevention of arbitrary deprivation of life.
• The right to life is not absolute, and there are legitimate exceptions.
• The right to life often encompasses the right to live without fear of violence, and inhumane or degrading treatment, and has a positive obligation on the state to ensure the conditions for human survival.
• The definition can vary depending on regional interpretations but generally includes a broad range of state responsibilities.

The Right to Liberty

• The right to liberty involves freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention.
• It encompasses the right to freedom of movement within a state.
• It also includes an element of negative liberty, freedom from undue interference from the state.
• The right to liberty is subject to limitations imposed by law, in accordance with a democratic society.
• It is not absolute and can be restricted in specific situations, such as in cases of public safety.
• Limitations must be proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued.

The Right to Security of Person

• The right to security of person is a comprehensive concept.
• It encompasses protection from threats to an individual's physical well-being and psychological integrity.
• This includes protection from violence both from state actors or private persons.
• There are positive and negative aspects to this right. A positive aspect is the responsibility of the state to provide security. The negative aspect is freedom from violence.
• It includes protection from arbitrary interference with one's privacy and other significant aspects of the person.
• Such security involves a range of state obligations to protect individuals from threats.
• This right incorporates the obligation of the state to take an active part in protecting individuals from arbitrary or unlawful violence and attacks.
• This involves preventing violence both directed by or from private persons.

Interrelation and Limitations

• These rights are interconnected and interdependent. Limitations on one right may need to weigh against limitations on another.
• The limitations on these rights must be provided by law, aimed at achieving a legitimate aim, necessary in a democratic society, and proportionate to the aim.
• Specific conditions or exceptions are permissible but must comply with established legal standards to balance individual rights and public interests.
• States have a responsibility to provide the necessary measures and take steps to implement these rights, including prevention of threats to the right to life, liberty, and security of the person.

Conclusion

• The right to life, liberty, and security of person is a cornerstone of international human rights law.
• It is a complex concept with interconnected strands, all requiring nuanced interpretations and applications within the context of global human rights standards.