Human rights are basic fundamental entitlements that are universal across borders and cultures, for the simple reason that every person is a human being.

I believe more often than not, all we are interested in is that our own rights as an individual are not breached.

Little do we care whether other people’s rights are respected or not, unless it is someone particularly close to us, and that it all boils down to people’s selfish nature.

Of course, one cannot generalise, but we tend to focus primarily on our own needs, and only once we are satisfied with our own well-being, do we allow ourselves to care for the well-being of others.

Certain things can be done to try to ensure that human rights are respected, such as teaching equality from a very young age; respecting and enforcing existing laws and updating them where needed to keep up with the times; and putting into practice the notion that no one is above the law, regardless of position or social class.

I think politicians and leaders who disregard human rights are people who, instead of safeguarding the interests of their country and their people, work solely for their personal gain; they live in luxury while their people are dying of thirst, hunger, curable diseases and general neglect.

Throughout the Arab Spring the international community should offer refuge and focus on the people who are being mistreated daily; they should increase humanitarian aid and try to re-establish order through democratic and diplomatic means.

Fighting fire with fire will only create more violence but, on the other hand, being arm-chair critics will never solve anything. Martha Privitelli,  B. Communications (Hons) and Psychology, 3rd year.

Human rights are the basic needs we humans have and that every person is equally entitled to.

I think more laws should be introduced to protect human rights and there should be har­sher punishments when human rights are broken.

There should also be more education and awareness re­gard­ing human rights. Education is the initial, most important step to be able to have a voice not in just in one’s country but in the whole world.

In Maltese society, I think the paradox of Christians acting with disdain towards immigrants is evident in everyday life. I think Christians should practise what they preach, the Church should take it into its own hands to make Christians aware of their mistaken attitude. Therefore one should put pressure on the Church to do this. Saoirse Casha, BA French and Maltese, 2nd year.

Human rights are a number of universal rights that societies believe should be available to all.

It would be naive to say that everyone respects others’ rights; des­pite these rights being inherent to all beings, they are nevertheless un­dermined or ig­nored by others.

For there to be more respect for human rights it would certainly help if NGOs organised events to promote awareness of these rights, especially if they are targeted to attract youngsters.

I believe children, the elderly and those without a stable democratic government are most at risk; all people are liable to having their rights disrespected, be it on a minor or major scale. No one is exempt from having their rights disregarded or even ignored entirely. Christine Thake, BA (Hons) English, 3rd year.

Compiled by Karla Chanelle Attard and Noelene Scerri.