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THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

S.JailapDeen, MSW,M.Phil(SW),PGDCA,(Ph.D)

Lecturer - Dept.of Social Work - Patrician College of Arts & Science

INTRODUCTION

Human rights: the literal words deserve a moment's scrutiny. Human: member of the species, the single race homosapiens. Whatever persons are called, or call themselves, wherever they live, they are human. Therefore human rights: benefits to which people are entitled simply by virtue of being human. “It refers to the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the constitution or embodied in the international covenants and enforceable by courts in India (human rights act 1993). PROTECTION AND REGULATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The human rights protection and regulation is the action of protecting the human from violence, exploitations, discriminations, etc, by enacting the laws. The following organizations are playing vital role for protection on Human Rights, i.	International Initiatives on Human Rights. ii. National Initiatives on Human Rights. i. International Initiatives on Human Rights Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Youth On December 10, 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. After the adoption of this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration principally in schools and other educational institutions irrelevant of the political status of countries or territories. This was because the Declaration contained several articles of special interest to youth. The Declaration of Human Rights which deals with family life (Article 16), work (Article 23), health (Article 24), and education (Article 26) contains certain Articles that have special relevance to youth. ii. National Initiatives on Human Rights The Indian Constitution and Youth The Indian Constitution has certain articles with the primary objective of safeguarding the basic rights of youth. Some of these safeguards are built into the Fundamental Rights and are enforceable in a court of law. Other guarantees are part of the Directive principles of State Policy which cannot be enforced but underlie government policies and programmes. Below are some of the provisions of the Constitution that have special relevance to youth: a.	Article 15 – Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. b.	Article 16 – Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment c.	Article 19 – Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech d.	Article 23 – Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour e.	Article 24 – Prohibition of employment of children in factories f.	Article 45 – Provision for free and compulsory education for children Part 4 of the constitution is explaining about the fundamental duties of citizen to maintain peace and respect the nation. Responsibilities of Youth The following are the responsibilities as enumerated by the National Youth Policy: •	To contribute to sectoral, family and self development and to promote social and inter-generation understanding and gender equality •	To extend respect to teachers and elders, parents and the family, in consonance with our cultural norms and traditions •	To uphold the unity and integrity of the Nation, maintain peace and harmony, observe Fundamental Duties and respect the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution to all sections of the people •	To respect others’ faiths and beliefs in the religious, cultural and social spheres and to different schools of thought and to neither exploit nor be instrumental in the exploitation of fellow citizens and other persons, especially women •	To promote appropriate standards of ethical conduct in individual and social life, to maintain honesty and integrity of character and be committed to fight against all forms of corruption, social evils and practices •	To preserve and protect the Environment; and •	To commit themselves to create a discrimination and exploitation free environment and to devote their time and energy in nation building activities From the above explanations it can be clearly understood that the government has taken good measures to reduce the human rights issues; however the promotion and protections of human rights has not reached the poor. Whatever initiatives undertaken at the International – National level; has not brought out the desired changes in the condition of the work life of the poor. Thereby, the area of “Human Rights and The role of Youth” remains to be a potential area for research and social work intervention.

PROBLMES AND ISSUES ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN INDIA

For the past six months, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been receiving reports from various parts of India that paint a dismal picture about the human rights situation found there. Most of these cases are from the villages in India. Based on (AHRC) report the researcher would like to focus his study by following issues. i.	Children abuse ii. Children murder iii. Child sexual molestation iv. The abuse of women v.	Sexual exploitation of women vi. Human trafficking and prostitution vii. Domestic violence From the above it can be understood that most of the cases related with the children and part of the case related with the women. The Indian Constitution ensures the fundamental rights to all the citizens. However, sometimes people are unexpectedly facing these problems. It is very easy, ensuring the rights through different legal provisions but the significant is how far the rights are useful, in what way the government officials are implementing the rights. It is really very challenging situation, government virtually expect strong support to face these problems, who will be the right personality to face and solve these problem? Of course it is the “YOUTH”; it can be achieved only by young generation of India. Youth is the spring of Life. It is the age of discovery and dreams. When they dream they dream not only for the good future of themselves but also for the good future for nation and entire humanity. If any section of the society in any country is most important for change, again it is the young people. WHO IS YOUTH? The “Accurate and Reliable” online dictionary meaning of youth” -	A young person; especially, a young man -	the time of life between childhood and maturity

Definition: Young people are persons 13 – 30 years old (European Commission, Education and Culture, Youth Programme 2004)

THE PRESENT STUDY

With the above background, a study was conducted by the author to bring out “The role of youth in the promotion and protection of human rights”. The sheer scope and magnitude of Human Rights situation in India is so vast that it was impossible to capture in the study all the State, District and villages where Human Rights are violated. Thus the study covered a sample consisting of young youth studying MSW degree in Mar Gregorios College, Chennai. It is hoped that the study findings will be very useful for those facing human rights problems. Based on the above information’s the researcher has framed the following aims and objectives for the purpose of the present empirical study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES •	To understand how the promotion and protection of human rights can be used as an effective tool to help prevent conflict, minimize the potential for mass violence. •	Build the skills, knowledge and confidence of youth to raise awareness, take action and work collaboratively on activities to promote and defend human rights. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This study based on Primary resources of data collected from the MSW students of Mar Gregorios College, Chennai through Interview Schedule for the requirement of National Colloquium on Strategies for Youth Empowerment at RGNIYD. The researcher has adopted an essential research methodology for the purposes of the present study with the serious consultation of his research guide. The following are the essential methodology which the researcher has adopted for the present study. Methodology is the methods which will help the researcher to attain his goal in systematic way. Research Design is a plan of action to be carried out in connection with research project. Since the purpose of the present study is basically to describe the role of youth in the promotion and protection of human rights, the researcher has adopted Descriptive research design appropriately in this study. Sampling Techniques is the technique which will help the researcher to select the appropriate Sample from the whole population. For better results, the researcher decided to cover all of them under the scope of the study – Census method. The entire respondent covered by this study belongs to less than 40 years of age.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Since the study is based on Census Method, the results of the study are highly reliable. However, the results cannot be generalized to all, the reason that it is based on the single unit (i.e.) Mar Gregorios College in Chennai.

FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

Indicate your awareness level on Indian Human Rights act 1993 and U.N.O Human Rights Declarations? 	(65%) said “YES” – they have very good knowledge on national and international human rights. 	(35%) said, “NO” – they don’t have any knowledge on Indian Human Rights act 1993 and U.N.O Human Rights Declarations.

Who has given you the awareness about the legal provision?

	(63%) said “by their teacher” they have got the awareness about the legal provision. 	(17%) said “by them self” they have learned about this act. 	(20%) said “by their parents” they have got awareness about the legal provision. Are the UN Documents sufficient to define and protect human rights?

	(34%) of the respondents said, the UN Documents sufficient to define and protect human rights. 	(66%) of them said, the UN Documents is not sufficient to define and protect human rights.

Do the various human rights statements adequately protect the rights of individual? 	(15%) said “YES” 	(85%) said, “NO” How can human rights violators are persuaded to stop

	(60%) a majority of the respondents said that the violators are persuaded to stop only by a government with the moral support of the youth. 	(25%) of the respondents said, it is possible only by a youth. 	(15%) of the respondents said that the human rights violators are persuaded to stop only by a government.

NOTE: With the above background the researcher has identified the following significant role of youth for the promotion and protection of human rights violations.

1. “Youth as an Educator” “As an educator” the youth has to make the group or the people to learn or get to understand about the human rights, how to utilize them, what the terms and conditions applied for violations of those principles. All the very basic information’s (or) the inputs to be molded and fed into the minds of the groups. 	(28%) of the respondents confessed that “Youth as an Educator” it is a significant role which highly help to promote and protect the human rights violations, especially children and women. 2. Youth as a Diagnoser

As a diagnoser the youth has to look into the problems of the people individually, the youth have to watch or have a very keen observation on the problem faced by the individual. The youth has to check whether the group faces the similar problem or distinct problems. If the problem is similar or even distinct the diagnoser has to prepare a statistical report for further reference. Once the problem is diagnosed the individual has to be sent for counseling.

	(16%) of the respondents interested with this role. 3. Youth as a Monitor

In this role the youth has to monitor the group who are treated for their problems by them. The youth should have a direct or an indirect monitoring over the group. The youth has to make follow up and make sure that the individuals do not back-slide and get into the problems again. The youth can also assist the local associations for regular monitoring of the people.

	(22%) of the respondents has shown their interest on this role. They are really wanted to follow this role for the betterment of the society.

4. Youth as an Eliminator

There is no problem which can be eradicated, but there is always a way to eliminate the problems. There are some problems in which can be for a particular duration, at that point of time youth acts as a pain killer. He gives remedy for the present situation.

	(34%) of the respondents has shown their interest on this role. They really wanted to follow this role for the betterment of the society.

SUGGESTIONS

	Government should encourage the student interest, and they should instigate the school management to empower student interest as they wish. 	Government should instigate the institutions to organize workshop, special class and other relevant activities which are purely related with human rights. 	The human rights awareness has to be included with the education of values. 	Raising awareness campaign for conflict resolutions for children, youth and women rights for their capabilities. 	Publishing magazine, brochures and publications regarding human rights and against violations. 	Cooperation’s with N.G.O and state institutions for their support for the further proceedings.

CONCLUSION

As a result, if youth gets involved strongly supporting for violations of human rights mainly with children and women, it could be a big success; the nation can improve and make a better environment. As the strength of youth is much powerful than the politicians and other officials, these targets can be achieved with the help of the youths of the nation.

REFERENCES

1.	T. Landman, Protecting Human Rights: A Comparative Study (Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2005) 2.	Essex Human Rights Review Vol. 4 No. 1, February 2007 3.	See International Council on Human Rights Policy, Taking Duties Seriously: Individual Duties in International Human Rights Law (1999), available at www.ichrp.org. 4.	Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (20 December 1993), A/RES/48/104, http:// www.ohchr.org/english/law/eliminationvaw.htm. 5.	Universal Declaration of Human Rights (10 December 1948), /RES/217A(III), http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/lang/eng.htm. 6.	Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (9 December 1998), A/RES/53/144, http://www.ohchr.org/english/law/freedom.htm. 7.	“Human Rights Violations in the Context of Weaker Sections”. Inauguration Speech delivered by Jusitce Anant Mane, A/C - MSHRC, Mumbai on Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Ismail Yusuf College on 01 / 09 / 2004 at Jogeshwari, Mumbai. 8.	NHRC, Annual Report 1994-95 at 39. 9.	India at a Glance – Rural Urban Distribution: The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, 2005 report. 10.	Please see UP – 136 – 2005 issued by the AHRC on 30 June 2006 available at            http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1816/. 11.	Policing – A Human Rights Perspective: Ministry of Home Affair, The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and Delhi Police; proceedings of the seminar held at New Delhi, 12 February 2004. 12.	United Nations Commission on Human Rights Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery 28th Session Geneva 16 - 20 June 2003. 13.	The latest census data of India – 2001. 14.	According to the National Sample Survey an estimated 22% of Indians are below the poverty line. 15.	Please see the 2004-2005 report of the National Human Rights Commission of India, p. 34.