Role of the Library as an Information Resource in Promoting Human Rights
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the relationship between library and human right
- To ascertain the role of library in promoting human right
- To ascertain the challenges of human right in getting information from library
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The Concept of Human Right
Human rights are inherent in human nature and without which we cannot live as human beings. The origin of human rights can be traceable to the creation of man and the right to life accorded him by God while the inherent nature of these rights is one of the many qualities that God has given to man. Fundamental human rights have been defined as moral rights which every human being everywhere, at all times, ought to have simply because he is rational and moral. (Idowu, 2008). Human right is what enables us to develop fully our human qualities, intelligence and our conscience. They are based on humankinds increasing demand for a life which the inherent dignity of each person is accorded respect and protection. Their denial is not only an individual and personal tragedy, but creates conditions of social, economic and political unrest which undermines democracy. The need to uphold the concept of human rights can be traced to the dehumanizing events, gross violation of human rights and wanton destructions of lives and properties during the Second World War, which compelled most nations of the world to adopt the United Nations charter in 1945 at San Francisco with the following preamble which reads as follows: “We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war… and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal right of men and women of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for obligations arising from treats, and other sources of international law can be maintained and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.. to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another…” In line with the above, Kofi Annan stated on the fiftieth anniversary of the declaration of human rights that “Human rights is foreign to no country and native to all nations… and that without human rights, no peace or prosperity will ever last”. (Ibrahim, 2006) argues that there is a universal consensus that human rights must be continuously promoted and defended around the world. Therefore, since the adoption of international human rights, states have made commitments to promote and defend the freedom, rights and dignity of all human beings. Many reasons have now emerged as regards the origin of the human rights provisions in Nigeria 1960 Independence Constitution. The most popular is the recommendation by the Willink Commission on Minorities. Others are the demand by early nationalities. These fundamental human rights which are guaranteed in the constitution are not privileges in the sense that they could be withdrawn at the whims and caprices of the government of the day. They are rights which the executive, the legislature and the judiciary are all enjoined to protect. Any violation by the government is liable to be called to order. Where the violation has occasioned injury which could be compensated in financial terms courts are duty bound to make orders of reparation in monetary terms. In fact the hallmark of democracy in recent times is the extent to which these guaranteed rights and freedoms are protected. To mark the importance which the Nigeria state attached to these provisions, constitutions from independence to the present have all included very stringent procedures for its alterations. (Aduba, 1999)This is particularly true in Nigeria where struggles for human rights were seriously repressed by corrupt and authoritarian regimes that has no commitment to protect human rights and the rule of law thereby endangering the principles of democracy; this lead to the struggle and fight for human right by various human right groups and activists. The enjoyment of human rights by everyone regardless of sex, gender, race ethnic origin, nationality, religion, economic status has been and will continue to be one of the greatest aspirations of all people. Therefore, fundamental rights must be guaranteed and protected before citizens can be in a position to render their human resources for effective democratization and overall development of their nation. In other words, promotion of human rights is primarily fundamental to the emancipation of an enduring democracy and national growth. (Idowu, 2008).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to role of the library as an information resource in promoting human rights..
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information for role of the library as an information resource in promoting human rights. 200 staff of selected libraries in Uyo was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to Role of the library as an information resource in promoting human rights.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of library as an information resource in promoting human rights.
Summary
This study was on role of the library as an information resource in promoting human rights. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the relationship between library and human right, to ascertain the role of library in promoting human right and to ascertain the challenges of human right in getting information from library. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected libraries in Uyo. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up librarians, ICT technician, administrative staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies interaction with their lecturers and experts in their research areas.
Conclusion
Human rights are values we all share because they are about recognising the value and dignity of all people. In learning about human rights, we learn about ideals of respect, fairness, justice and equality. We also learn about standing up for our own rights and about our responsibility to respect the rights of others. Understanding human rights shapes our thinking and our actions because human rights are about real-life issues. Strong libraries and information centers can play an important role in ensuring citizens know their rights, demand, and defend them.
Recommendation
Public libraries should provide space and a forum were people can come to interact and exchange ideas on issues bordering on democracy and human rights. Facilitators can be invited to talk and sensitize the people on issues such as their right to vote and elect their representatives, human right issues and the importance of democracy etc Public libraries should also facilitate the teaching of human rights at all levels of education and professional training, through provision of research materials on human rights and democracy
References
- Atuti, Richard Masaranga, 2011. The Role of Libraries in Nurturing Democracy. In Claire M. Walker. Libraries as Gateways to Information and Democracy Improving Networking, Advocacy and Lobbying Strategies: papers and presentations delivered at six workshops, April – November 2008. p262-265.
- Nairobi: Goethe Institute Beyond Access n.d. Libraries Powering Development: how Public Libraries contribute towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals. Available at:: http://www.beyondaccess.net
- Conte, Alex; Davidson Scott and Burchill Richard. 2004. Defining Civil and Political Rights: the jurisprudence of the United Nations Human Right Committee. Hants:
- Ashgate Deibert, Nolen. 2013. International Women’s Day: what are public libraries doing? Available at http://beyondaccess.net/2013/03/08/international-womens-day-what-are-public-libraries-doing/ English Kathryn and Stapleton, Adam. 1997. The Human Rights Handbook: a practical guide to monitoring human rights. Cape Town: Juta.
- Gierycz, Dorota, 1997. Education on the Human Rights of Women as a vehicle for change. In George Andreopoulos and Richard Claude, Human Rights Education for the Twenty-First Century. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press.p96-118
- Hansen, Stephen. 2000. Economic Social & Cultural Rights: terminology and potential violations. Washington DC: American Association for the Advancement of Science Hubbard, Dianne. 2001. Law for All Volume 1: introduction to Namibian law.
- Windhoek:Namibia Institute for Democracy and Out of Africa Publishers.
- Nakuta, John. 2013. Baseline Study Report on Human Rights in Namibia. Windhoek: Ombudsman Namibia.
