Article 9: Right to Life and Liberty
Everyone has the right to live safely and freely, according to law.
Every person has the right to live safely and with dignity. Courts have also connected this right with health, safety, clean environment, and protection from serious harm. This is one of the broadest and most powerful fundamental rights, it is not only about “being alive”; it also includes the basic conditions needed to live safely and with dignity.
This right can apply to issues like unsafe water, pollution, police abuse, violence, unsafe workplaces, and threats to life.
Issues that can be addressed:
- Police brutality
- Enforced disappearances
- Illegal detention
- Torture or custodial abuse
- Unsafe drinking water
- Pollution affecting health
- Unsafe public infrastructure
- Gender-based violence
- Threats to life and personal safety
- Dangerous working conditions
- Failure of hospitals or public health systems
- State Accountability and Transparency
- State inaction during public safety crises
- Lack of safety regulation
- Environmental damage affecting communities
- State failure to protect people from preventable harm
- Government departments ignoring repeated complaints
- Infrastructure issues like broken roads, exposed electric wires, poorly maintained drainage etc.
- Abuse of power by law enforcement and corruption
- Loss of shelter, livelihood, and access to basic services
- Food Insecurity and Malnutrition
- Failure of Protection from Crimes