GLOBAL DIGNITY FORUM

Global Dignity Forum believes that the idea of “human dignity” is the foundation of human rights. Dignity expresses the idea that every human being has worth or value and should be treated with respect without distinction or discrimination.   The importance of human dignity has been recognised by national, regional and international human rights laws and standards. For example, Article 15 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana states, “The dignity of all persons shall be inviolable.” People live in dignity if their fundamental human rights and freedoms are respected, protected and fulfilled. Therefore, States and governments that respect human rights are said to be working to achieve human dignity. Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights provides that “ Every individual shall have the right to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being  and to the recognition of his legal status. All forms of exploitation and degradation of man, particularly sla...

In law,  an issue is a question that must be answered to come to the resolution of a matter – a legal matter.    A human rights issue is a problem (action, inaction, a situation, etc) that affects the rights of a human being that needs to be taken care of and solved or addressed. For example, any problem that affects the right to life and the right to liberty and freedom of the individual is a human rights issue.   Human rights violations refer to the denial of the enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms. In other words, a human right violation  is to deny individuals their fundamental moral entitlements.    Also, in a sense, a human rights violation is to treat a human being as if he/she is less than human and undeserving of respect and dignity.    A human rights violation can be committed by people who work for the State and their behaviour is then considered to be the behaviour of the State. These agents of the state could be...