Freedom of speech
Bryan Rebello
Recently we have witnessed that a citizen is charged with an FIR for violating one of the fundamental right. Has he really violated it or not I let you people decide and for that allow me to explain to you what this Right of freedom of speech and expressions is all about.
In India we have altogether 6 fundamental rights and they are (1) Right to equality. (2) Right to freedom of speech and expressions. (3) Right against exploitation. (4) Right to freedom of religion. (5) Cultural and Educational rights. and (6) Right to constitutional remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
Talking about freedom of speech, it is the political right to communicate one’s opinions and ideas using one’s body and property to anyone who is willing to receive them. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.
The right to freedom of expression is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 19 of the ICCPR states that “everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference” and “everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice”.
Article 19 goes on to say that the exercise of these rights carries “special duties and responsibilities” and may “therefore be subject to certain restrictions” when necessary “for respect of the rights or reputation of others” or “for the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health or morals.”
Before judging him let us go through this Right and decide whether he has violated this one of the important Right, Right of Freedom of Speech and expression? You be the judge.
