Posted by Chester Morton / Friday, 15 April 2016 / No comments
The methods used to safeguard the rights and liberties of citizens
Constitutional
Safeguards
One
way to
safeguard the rights and liberties of the citizen is to entrench the
relevant clauses in the constitution. An entrenched clause is difficult
to change so the right of the citizen is constantly protected.
Free Press
A free and independent press can also help to safeguard the rights of citizens in a state. This happens because the newspapers serve as a mouth piece to voice out any abuses of the rights of citizens. With their existence also, officials fear being exposed if they took certain actions. Thus the rights of the citizen are protected.
A free and independent press can also help to safeguard the rights of citizens in a state. This happens because the newspapers serve as a mouth piece to voice out any abuses of the rights of citizens. With their existence also, officials fear being exposed if they took certain actions. Thus the rights of the citizen are protected.
An Ombudsman
The
duty of this
outfit is to investigate abuses of human rights and liberties of
citizens by appointees of the government and to
find a means of resolving them. The office of the Ombudsman is sometimes
designated the Parliamentary Commissioner or Commissioner on Human
Rights and
Administrative Justice. Their main duty is to investigate abuses of
human rights and liberties to be able it to offer redress.
An Independent
Judiciary
There must
exist, an independent judiciary to adjudicate disputes that may arise among
citizens and between citizens and their governments or government officials. The disputes must be
settled by an impartial court. Such impartiality of the judiciary serves to
protect the liberties of the citizens.
An efficient law
Enforcement agency
Another
way of protecting the rights of citizens is to ensure the existence of
and efficient police organization which can protect the rights of the
citizens and make sure those rights are enjoyed to the full by the
citizens. An
efficient Police Force ensures the maintenance of law and order and once
there
is law and order, it is easy to for every citizen to enjoy his or her
rights.
Doctrine of Checks
and Balances
Under this
doctrine the three arms of government, the legislature, executive and the
judiciary check each other in the performance of their duties. These checks and
balances inure to the benefit of citizens because it serves as a means by which the
rights of the individual are protected.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. Who is a
citizen of a country?
b. Highlight five ways in which a citizen’s
rights can be protected in a democracy.
2. Highlight six
safeguards for ensuring the liberty of an individual in a modern state.
<<Back to Home Page
Go to other topics in government>>
Go to the list of subjects>>
<<Back to Home Page
Go to other topics in government>>
Go to the list of subjects>>
