Human Rights and Peace in the Society
Senior 1 · Religion and Ethics
Human Rights and Peace in the Society
Lesson 5 of 5
18 min
Can there be peace where people's rights are trampled on? Can rights be protected in a time of war? Rwanda's history shows that peace and human rights stand or fall together. In this lesson you will see how they are linked, why they matter to every person and to society, and what Christianity and Islam teach about peace.
The Norwegian scholar Johan Galtung described two kinds of peace:
A country can have no fighting but still lack positive peace if people are poor, excluded or treated unfairly. Human rights are what turn negative peace into positive peace.
"Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalm 34:14). The prophet Micah looked forward to a time when "They will beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more." (Micah 4:3). A ploughshare is the blade of a plough: weapons become farming tools. "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:18)
One of the names of Allah is "Peace" (Qur'an 59:23). The Qur'an says that by his guidance "Allah guideth him who seeketh His good pleasure unto paths of peace" (Qur'an 5:16). When enemies want to stop fighting, Muslims must accept: "And if they incline to peace, incline thou also to it, and trust in Allah." (Qur'an 8:61). The greeting as-salamu 'alaykum, "peace be upon you", reminds Muslims to spread peace wherever they go.
| To the individual | To society |
|---|---|
| safety and freedom from fear | unity and cooperation between groups |
| the chance to study, work and plan for the future | development: investment, trade and tourism grow in peaceful countries |
| dignity and self-respect | fair laws and trust in leaders |
| freedom to worship | peaceful relations with neighbouring countries |
Question: Explain the relationship between peace and human rights. (4 marks)
Model answer: Respect for human rights creates peace, because people who are treated fairly have fewer reasons for conflict (1 mark). Violations of rights, such as discrimination and hate speech, lead to conflict and even genocide, as in 1994 (1 mark). Peace in turn protects rights, since in war people lose their lives, homes and schooling (1 mark). Both depend on justice: "The work of righteousness will be peace" (Isaiah 32:17) (1 mark).
Tip
Memory hook. Picture a bridge with two pillars: peace and human rights. Knock one down and the bridge falls. The foundation under both pillars is justice. Negative peace means no fighting; positive peace means justice is present.
Distinguish between negative peace and positive peace.
Answer: negative peace is the absence of war and open violence; positive peace is the presence of justice, respect and cooperation.
Give two ways in which violating human rights destroys peace.
Answer (any two): it creates anger and a desire for revenge; it divides groups; hate speech turns neighbours into enemies; injustice leads to rebellion and conflict.
Quote Qur'an 8:61.
Answer: "And if they incline to peace, incline thou also to it, and trust in Allah."
What picture does Micah 4:3 use for peace?
Answer: people beating their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks: weapons turned into farming tools.
Give two reasons why peace is important for Rwanda's development.
Answer (any two): people can work and study without fear; investors and tourists come; government money goes to schools and hospitals instead of war; trade with neighbours grows.
Remember
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