On Human Rights and the Rights of Each Individual

Today’s discussion deals with Human Rights and the rights of each individual. We started with a case analysis on Royal Dutch Shell’s persisting issue in Nigeria on environmental devastation which includes gas flaring and oil spills. Related to our case analysis is the topic on human rights. We have discussed the different rights of individuals starting when we were young, in the workplace and until the time we grow old.

Despite the different laws being enacted to protect human rights and the different movement of groups throughout the country, can we truly say that each of us enjoy our rights? Looking at the situation in the impoverished areas of the countries, it is hard to say that we all enjoy our rights of being human. This brings me to my next question which is “who dictates the rights of every individual?”. Thinking about it, each country has their own way to measure and define human rights. Take the Muslim countries for example where males and females are not treated equally and where slavery is legal.

As I reflect through our discussion, I realized that each one of us has the responsibility to protect and to promote human rights. We need not join protests or to be in the power to enact laws against human rights but we have the power to respect the rights of other individuals and help promote their rights in the way we can.

To end my blog for today, I would like to take the example of Royal Dutch Shell in Nigeria which we can consider a violation of the human rights. Having said that, Shell as a large and ethical company should take a proactive approach in its oil production in Nigeria by setting up a fund for the rehabilitation of the environment where it extracts oil along with taking proactive measures in addressing risk related to the business such as oil spills and gas flaring. Also, Shell should partner with the government and local regulatory bodies to help local communities especially where their oil business is concentrated.

           We, as Lasallian Business Leaders, should promote and respect the right of every individual and also protect to keep this right freely available to everyone. I urge each and every one of us to strive to become better business leaders in the future and lead companies where individual rights are regarded as the most important thing of all.