DIV4/6: THE STATE AND THE CITIZEN

THE STATE AND THE CITIZEN

The rights and duties of the citizens (fundamental)

Fundamental human rights of mankind are the entitlements that human beings are supposed to enjoying virtue of being       human.

The rights are based on the natural law that comes from God.

      Note:  For every right, there is a corresponding duty.  Below are some of the rights;

• The right to life hence the need to preserve and protect life.
• The right to food, everybody must have something to eat and it is the duty of the state to ensure that its citizens has food and that is why there is ministry for disaster preparedness for the case of Uganda.
• A right to shelter, all citizens are entitled to proper accommodation and in developed countries, it is the state that houses its citizens.

• The right to medical facilities. The state must clear for its citizens medically by offering immunization programs/ stocking health centers and posting of medical personnel.  For example Uganda has immunized against polio.
• The right to education. The government should ensure that its citizens get basic education. That is to say, UPE in case of Uganda.
• The right to be loved especially the children who are entitled to parental care and love.
• The right to employment/ work. The state must make sure that its citizens are employed.
• The right to marry and promote a family provided they are a marriageable age.
• The right to acquire and own property. All citizens have a right to private ownership of property.
• The right to association especially in matters of common interests. That is to say, political parties, social and cultural groups and many others
• The rights to freedom of speech and information. That is to say, all citizens have a right to air out their views and receive relevant information.
• Freedom of worship without any interference.

      Note: But one shouldn’t interfere with other people’s rights in the name of worship

• Freedom of choice, it is upon every individual to choose from the many available opportunities in life. For example what to do, what to eat and others but this should be with the 1948 UN enactment as given in the universal declaration of human rights.
• The right to fair public trial in courts of law without discrimination.
• The right to protection from harmful influence.

      Note: All the above rights should be observed by the state and it is in accordance with the 1948 United Nations enactment as          given in the universal declaration of human rights.

 DUTIES OF THE CITIZENS

Much as the state has the duty to uphold and protect the rights of its citizens in the same light, the citizens have a duty to   observe in a relation to the state

• To recognize and respect the authority of the state.
• To be loyal by offering support to the community.
• To vote and participate in all other civic activities.
• To pay taxes so as to contribute towards the development of the society.
• To defend one’s country at all times.
• To preserve and maintain law and order, thereby helping the police to curb crime.
• The duty to exercise justice to others in our day-to-day operation.
• Parents have the duty to look after, take care of the needs of their children. That is to say, the need to provide parental love and care.
• To preserve and protect the environment by following the requirements of NEMA. For example the former Member of the 9^th Parliament John Ken Lukyamuzi advocated much for environment protection. Like he decompaigned the government’s move to give part of Mabira forest to an investor to grow sugar canes for making sugar.
• In all the citizens ought to be patriotic and nationalistic. That is to say, they need to have great love for their mother country.

OBSERVANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN UGANDA TODAY

To a greater extent, Uganda today has secured some achievements in the area of human rights as follows;

• People have participated in the elections. For example in the presidential election of 2001, Constituency Assembly of 1995.  Hence a step towards democracy.
• Free access to basic education through the Universal primary education. That is to say, the government is working around the clock to make sure that the Universal primary education is successful.
• There is freedom of speech and expression where people are able to freely air out their views. For example through the open air and written press. That is to say, the monitor, the new vision and the free radio stations with programs like spectrum on radio one, capital gung, Andrew Mwenda live on monitor radio.
• Women have been accessibility to jobs thereby creating economic independence and emancipation.
• The government is fighting corruption through bodies like IGG, PAC and some others which help to probe into malpractices.
• Censoring of incompetent ministers suspected of wrong doing . For example Kutesa, Muhwezi and Kazibwe.
• Freedom of worship, the state has no state religion and this is reflected in the many sects in the country. For example Jehovah unit, redeemed church, restoration of the Ten Commandments, charismatic renewals, salvation Pentecostal churches.
• The government had tried to reduce on the problem of poverty through poverty alleviation schemes. For example entandikwa and soft loans.
• Government has allowed NGOs to operate to cater for the interest of the people. That is to say, UWESO, TASO and UNICEF.
• Politically, the government has recognized the minority. That is to say, the women, disabled, workers by giving them special representation in parliament. For example MP Pajobo, Dr. Sam Lyomoka member of parliament for workers.
• The government has allowed the Asians to repossess their property.
• The government is catering for the health of its citizens by improving on the health services through programs like immunization against the six killer diseases. For example polio, “kick polio out of Uganda”.
• The government has sensitized its citizens regarding their political rights through chaka mchaka and demystification of the gun.

However, there are some cases of abuse of human rights;

• The many detentions without trial by the CMI and prisoners tortured and remanded for a long time . For example 27 Tabuliki Moslems without proper hearing.
• There is suffocation and denial of freedom of association as expressed by the ban on political parties.
• There is still massive corruption in the public offices, courts of law at the expenses of tax payer.
• There is still rampant crime rate. That is to say, robbery, rape and defilement and many others
• Over taxation. That is to say, VAT, graduated tax all of which cannot be explained.
• That is to say, many graduates are roaming on streets in search of jobs, which are not there.
• Low implementation of the government policies leading to acts like mob justice especially in the districts of Mukono, Kampala where many have been put to death.
• Laxity in the education system. For example UPE lacks motivation and adequate facilities.
• There are some isolated cases of conscription. That is to say, forced recruitment. For example panda gari.
• Some areas have been neglected and subjected to insecurity hence no protection. For example Gulu, Kasese, Soroti and many others

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLATION OF HUMANS RIGHTS TODAY

• Permissiveness of the society where people have lost traditional ties.
• Greed for power leading to political instabilities. For example Kony abducted Aboke girls, ADF burnt people at Kichwanma.
• Economic and social imbalances leading to hatred.
• Low religious conviction.
• Poverty
• Moral decline
• Lust for wealth
• Break down in the traditional norms.
• Weak enforcement of the law.
• Modern technology. For example bombs, chemical weapons and many others
• High rate of inflation

WAYS IN WHICH THE CHURCH IS TRYING TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE

• The church has established orphanages where the unfortunate children have been given the basic necessities of life. For example late Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga opened up an orphanage center at Nalukolongo.
• The church has set up projects to help better and cater for the lives of the needy. For example refugees and this is possible through projects like Caritas Uganda of the Catholic Church.
• The church actively takes part in maintaining peace and order in the world through the council of churches. For example prior to the elections of 2001, the church leaders 0religious leaders) of Uganda prayed for peace and order to prevail during the election.
• The church has also influenced the political decisions of the political leaders. For example the Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa out rightly spoke against the evils of apartheid and the racism of the whites.
• The church has openly criticized the political authorities who intend to violet the human rights of citizens. For example the church in Zimbabwe condemned President Mugabe’s act of moving land from the whites. The church in Uganda has opposed the abolishing of 2 terms or “the 3^rd term”.
• The church through its teachings and preaching has encouraged unity, fraternity and peace thereby making occasions of war rare.
• The church leaders have tried to become peacemakers between warring parties. For example they have tried to call for peace negotiation in Congo.
• The church has used its leaders to criticize dictatorship and bad government. For example late Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga and Janan Luwum opposed Idi Amini’s dictatorship.
• It has helped to provide assistance to the prisoners, sick in terms of material and spiritual benefits.
• The church has often prayed for good leadership since all authority comes from God.

 THE CHURCH AND THE STATE

• The church and the state closely need each other hence Christians have all the right to participate in the politics of their country basing on the following reasons;
• Church leaders can be of use in the development of the society since they are guided by the spirit of God . For example prophet Amos condemned the political injustices of the time and Bishop Desmond Tutu influenced the political trend of south Africa.
• Since Christians are said to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, they must therefore shine in the darkness of politics. For example Christ said who among you lights a lamp and puts it under a basket? But instead it should be put in the lamp stand for everyone to see.
• Jesus himself didn’t reject the use of politics but the misuse of power while in politics.
• A Christian leader is in position to save his country from spiritual destruction and moral decay by preaching the virtues of love, equality and tolerance. For example Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa preached reconciliation amidst the horns of apartheid and racism.
• It’s commonly said that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom therefore church leaders who may be having this wisdom can be in a better position to put it into a better use. For example king Solomon who because of the fear of God had the wisdom and used it rightly in politics.
• Because of the dual citizenship of mankind. That is to say, of world and heaven, it’s proper for a Christian to participate in the politics of the world as a preparation for heavenly kingdom.
• Jesus himself came into the sinful world to clean up the sinners; similarly it’s proper for Christians to participate in politics much as it is dirty.
• Christians have the capacity to overcome temptations which while in politics can be possible because politics has so many temptations. For example corruption, vote rigging and many others
• It’s the duty and responsibility of church leaders to fight social injustices just as Jesus and prophet Amos did and this is only possible when Christians wholly participate in politics. For example Amos.
• All authority comes from god hence even political authority is God given. So the need to participate.
• God raises leaders and as such Christians should participate in politics by acknowledging and respecting this authority.
• Christians have a duty to contribute towards the economic, social, political, cultural and religious well being of the state and this can only be possible when Christians participate in politics.
• Even Jesus said give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God, thereby showing his involvement.
• The church can’t be separated from the state because even Jesus submitted to the political authority. (Mk 12:13-17)
• Paul says disobeying of civil authority is equivalent to rebelling against God. (Rom 13:1-7)
• Christians need to participate in politics so as to be in position to pray for the political leaders.
• Both religion and politics are set to uphold the fundamental rights of mankind and as such the two need to operate jointly.

On the other hand, church leaders to a small extent should not take part in politics because of the following reasons;

• Politics is at times associated with principles which are un Christian. For example telling of lies, blackmailing, and rigging.
• Within politics, it’s quite difficult to avoid certain attitudes. That is to say, stiff competition embezzlement and bribery aspects that is short of Christian virtues.
• Politics usually goes alongside with struggle for power, use of charms, witchcraft and jealousy at times and murder of innocent people.
• Church leaders should/ may not out rightly begin to support oppressive regimes yet they are supposed to be pillars of unity and not divisionism. For example Awori chose Bamwoze to campaign for him in the 2001 elections; this divided some of the Christians.
• It is very difficult to serve two masters at ago hence while in politics, a Christian may forget his cardinal purpose and responsibility of being an ambassador of the kingdom of God.
• Politics normally involves a lot of temptations that definitely contradicts with the Christian virtues. That is to say, politicians normally accept the evils of prostitution, abortion in a bid to solicit and win the elections. For example Vice President defended prostitution after prostitutes had been arrested all in a bid to canvas for votes in 2001 elections.
• While in politics, the lust for wealth and money may easily blindfold the church leaders and in the long run cause them to back slide of become stumbling blocks to other people’s faith.
• Politics may force religious leaders to discriminate, hate, and sideline their opponents thereby not living to Jesus’ teaching of love of one’s neighbor and oneself.
• Christian’s participation in politics may lead a Christian into a conflicting loyalty. For example whether to support capital punishment or not.
• Christians may find it difficult to condemn and openly criticize some social evils in the society. For example competition, tribalism and many others
• Politics has been generally referred to as a dirty game characterized by all sorts of evil.
• While in politics, Christians may fail to offer sincere prayers to God and to pray for their political opponents.
• Politics doesn’t condemn the attitude of revenge, an aspect that Jesus out-rightly castigated.

 SHOULD CHRISTIANS OBEY SECULAR GOVERNMENT?

In such a case a student is expected to take a stand which is “Yes” and this is so because of the following reasons;

• All authority comes from God hence disobedience to it is disobedience to God.
• Its God ho raises and guides the leaders. For example David, Solomon hence the need to obey them.
• The bible commands us to honour and obey our leaders as given in Decalogue.
• In the first letter of St. Peter 2::17, St. Peter calls upon all the newly converted believers to respect those in political authority.
• Secular government serves to ensure the well being of all their citizens in terms of social, religious, cultural and political well being hence the need to obey it.
• Christians are supposed to be good examples to others and this is only possible through the act of obedience.
• Its through their obedience that they will qualify to be good citizens of heaven.
• Christians have a duty to contribute to the economic, social, political, moral and religious well being of a state. These above mentioned aspects are only practical through obedience to the government.
• Even Jesus says give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God thus obey state authority.
• Even Jesus himself submitted to earthly authority. For example he recognized and acknowledged the powers of Pilate but was quick to tell that God gives it.
• The two institutions. That is to say, the church and the state are inseparable hence interrelated and need for the act of obedience to coordinate the two.

WHY CHRISTIANS MAY NOT OBEY SECULAR GOVERNMENT

• When the state promotes immoral acts like abortion, murder aspects which are un Christian, then Christians have a right to disobey it.
• When the state is involved in abusing of power through acts of murder, corruption and vote rigging then the Christian can oppose such a government.
• When there is iron rule. That is to say, oppression, dictatorship and when people’s freedom of expression and association is down looked upon, then the Christians have a right to disobey that secular government.
• In case the government in place doesn’t allow freedom of worship then Christians can oppose it . For example in the Sudan where Southern part is opposing the Northern imposition if Islam.
• Incase the actions of the government is leading people into paganism, irreligion, then Christians have a right to disobey such a state.
• If the government in place is condoning the acts of discrimination, segregation, tribalism, which are short of Christian rituals, the Christians have the obligation to disobey such a state . For example Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa ganged up to fight against the apartheid of the white man.
• In situations where the decisions of the government conflict/ contradict with the Christian principles. That is to say, in case of a conflicting loyalty then Christians should give their obedience first to God and the state.