LEARN · PRACTISE · DISCOVER
Rights and Responsibilities
Citizens have rights: freedoms and protections that the government should respect. Citizens also have responsibilities: duties that help their community and country function. Rights and responsibilities go together. In this lesson you will learn about the rights that many countries protect and the responsibilities that come with citizenship.
Human rights
Human rights are rights that belong to every person simply because they are human. In 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document listing basic rights for all people everywhere. It includes rights such as:
- the right to life, liberty and security
- freedom from slavery and torture
- equality before the law
- freedom of thought, religion and expression
- the right to education
The declaration is not a law in itself, but it has inspired many national constitutions and international agreements. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) sets out rights specifically for children, such as the right to education, to play and to be protected from harm.
Civil rights and freedoms
Many constitutions protect rights such as:
| Right | What it means |
|---|---|
| Freedom of speech and expression | sharing ideas and opinions, within limits set by law |
| Freedom of religion | practising any religion, or none |
| Freedom of the press | reporting the news without government control |
| Freedom of assembly | gathering peacefully, including to protest |
| Right to a fair trial | being treated fairly by the courts if accused of a crime |
| Right to equal treatment | not being discriminated against |
Rights have limits
Rights are not unlimited. In most countries, freedom of speech does not protect threats, fraud or deliberately false statements that damage someone’s reputation. Rights can also conflict. One person’s right to protest may affect another person’s right to move freely along a street. Courts and laws help balance these rights.
Example
A student group wants to hold a peaceful protest outside the town hall about a plan to close a library. Freedom of assembly protects their right to gather. The town may set reasonable rules about where and when, so that roads stay safe. Both the right to protest and public safety are respected.
Responsibilities of citizens
Responsibilities can be legal duties or good citizenship. They vary by country.
- Obey the law.
- Pay taxes, which fund public services.
- Serve on a jury when called, in countries that use juries.
- Respect the rights of others, including people you disagree with.
- Stay informed about issues and vote when eligible. In a few countries, such as Australia, voting is compulsory for adult citizens.
- Help the community through volunteering or simply looking out for neighbours.
Rights and responsibilities are linked
If you want freedom of speech, you have a responsibility to respect others’ freedom of speech too. If you want good schools and roads, paying taxes helps provide them. A healthy society needs both rights and responsibilities.
Rights for everyone
Remember that rights belong to everyone, including people we disagree with. Protecting other people’s rights helps protect our own.
Key takeaways
- Human rights belong to everyone; the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948.
- Constitutions often protect freedoms of speech, religion, press and assembly.
- Rights have limits and sometimes need to be balanced.
- Citizens have responsibilities such as obeying laws, paying taxes and respecting others.
Practice
1. Name three rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 2. Give an example of a limit on freedom of speech. 3. Name two responsibilities that young people can practise now.
Answers: 1 any three, such as the right to life, education, equality before the law or freedom of religion. 2 for example, it does not protect threats or fraud. 3 for example: obeying laws, respecting others’ rights, staying informed or volunteering.