By Tolulope Oyewumi
Communication is essential for promoting and protecting human rights. It informs society about human rights, violations, and remedies, and is crucial for raising awareness and preventing abuses. The concept of human rights has evolved over time, with various classifications and expansions. While there is no consensus on the exact number of human rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lists 30 rights, including lesser-known ones like the right to social security and freedom of movement. Effective communication is necessary for human rights to be realized and respected, and is itself a human right, encompassing freedom of thought, conscience, and opinion. By promoting human rights through communication”Communication plays a crucial role in promoting and protecting human rights. It raises awareness about what constitutes human rights, violations, and remedies. The concept of human rights has evolved over time, with various classifications and expansions.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights lists 30 rights, including lesser-known ones like the right to rest and leisure. Some countries, like Finland, have even recognized internet access as a human right since 2010. However, human rights require effective communication to be meaningful. Communication is not only a vehicle for promoting human rights but also a human right itself, encompassing freedom of thought, conscience, and opinion. While rights have limits to protect others’ rights and public interests, communication is essential for human rights to be realized and respected.”