Right to Life – Article 3 of the UDHR provides that ‘Everyone
has the right to life, liberty and security of person’. This right is the most essential right in order to
enable any individual to enjoy all other rights. A person who is deprived of
the right to life is deprived of all other rights.
The Right to Life is an inherent right of all. This means
that every person, by virtue of being a human being has the inalienable right
to live.
This right is protected by law and anyone who violates
this right will be punished by law.
Although the right to life is accepted by all as the
most basic human right, there are certain issues involved – capital punishment,
voluntary euthanasia and abortion.
Capital punishment / death penalty – UDHR and ICCPR do
not abolish death penalty. However, there are several restrictions on the
states in order to minimize the use of death penalty.
While the right to life is absolute and cannot be
denied even to a hardened criminal, it is the duty of the state to protect the life
of all persons even if it means it has to take the life of a convicted criminal.
Euthanasia – is the right to die peacefully and with
dignity. According to those in favor of Euthanasia, the right to life does not
require an individual to go on living. Thus, they fell that euthanasia should
be allowed, either by administration of drugs or the withdrawal of life support
systems and to put an end to life of those willing patients who are terminally
ill. However, the question of willingness of the patient arises as well as the
decision of taking away a life cannot reside in the individual’s hands.
Abortion – the question of ‘does a fetus (foetus) have
the right to life’ has been a topic of discussion. Abortion or medical
termination of pregnancy is the human right of the woman whose life is in
danger or whose health is in a critical condition due to the pregnancy. Abortion
is allowed in the early stage of pregnancy.
Capital punishment, euthanasia and abortion are highly
controversial and debatable topics. Neither the states nor international bodies
have been able to come to any specific conclusions on the same.
Essential conditions constructed into the Right to
Life under the Indian Constitution
Right to live with human dignity along with the bare necessities
of life food, clothing and shelter.
Right to facilities for reading, writing and
expressing ourselves.
Right to move about freely, mix and communicate with fellow
human beings.
Right to livelihood.
Right to live in a healthy environment.
Right to enjoyment of pollution free water and air
Right to education
Right to health
Right not to be driven out of state
Right to protection against hazardous industries
Right to timely medical treatment in government hospitals.
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