Slide Special Characteristics of Human Rights Common – not divided on differences such as gender, human colour, types, race, religion, caste, language and political opinion Universal – inherited by human beings of the entire globe. Not infinite – There are limits to enjoying the rights. Others’ right should be honoured. Limited to individual and common good only – Rights cannot be used for individual or social harm or evil (i.e. committing suicide) Can be enjoyed by a free individual only- Some rights can be enjoyed by a free social being only (limited in the case of a prisoner) No right is limitless- subjected to law and ethics Always connected to duties Human rights may differ depending on necessity, place and time One right may not be disregarded or abandoned for another right. Activity 3 Classification of Human Rights • Give a brief lecture using the facts given below in a Slide. Slide Human Rights Can be classified as ethical and legal rights. Socially accepted traditions, customs and demands are considered as ethical rights (looking after parents, treating the poor, caring for patients etc.). Although they have no legal background, some ethical rights have been accorded a legal background at subsequent periods. Legal rights have been ensured to the public by the supreme power of a state and when they are violated, justice is meted out by the state. Human rights are also classified as positive and negative rights. Positive rights are economic and cultural rights that should be enjoyed with state assistance. When civil and political rights, which are negative rights, are enjoyed there should not be an influence from the state. All political, civil, social and economic rights come under the category of human rights. Only those ensured by enshrining in the constitution are regarded as fundamental rights. Rights that are most important for life fall into this category. Although all fundamental rights are human rights, all human rights are not fundamental rights. If the fundamental rights are violated in Sri Lanka by the executive or an administrative or political institute, people have been given the right by the 1978 Constitution to have justice done through the Ombudsman, the Human Rights Commission of the Supreme Court. 103