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“Freedom! Freedom!! Freedom!! It sounds excellent. Everyone desires freedom. religious groups, social groups, and ethnic groups. Children, youth, adults. In Maximizing Your Potential: The Keys to Dying Empty (1992), Dr. Myles Munroe stated that everyone wants the freedom to govern their own lives and make their own decisions free from outside influence or direction. The late evangelist continued, “It should not surprise us, then, that many common phrases express this craving for freedom: freedom of the press, freedom of choice, freedom of religion, freedom of speech. All reveal the universal longing to be unencumbered by the dictates and the decisions of others.”
Even though the idea of freedom seems desirable and appealing, is it really possible to have complete freedom “to be unencumbered by the dictates and the decisions of others”? Can we be entirely free? The answer, unfortunately, is no. Even in Freetown, as they say, nothing is free.
Human Rights Day, commemorating the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), was observed globally on December 10. This year’s theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” is a powerful reminder of humanity’s collective commitment to the inalienable rights of human persons and the need to safeguard these rights. This is consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ Article 1: “Every human being is born free and equal in dignity and rights.” They ought to behave in a fraternal manner toward one another since they possess reason and conscience.
Therefore, it is undeniable that freedom is valuable, even though we are not completely free. The Swiss author and political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau already stated two and a half centuries ago that “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains,” indicating that although people are inherently free, social structures like laws and institutions place limitations on this freedom.
Recent incidents involving Dele Farotimi and Speed Darlington serve as noteworthy examples that demonstrate how freedom can be constrained. In his best-selling book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, lawyer and human rights advocate Dele Farotimi made remarks about Afe Babalola and other well-known legal figures that were deemed defamatory, which led to his arrest and detention. Similarly, musician Speed Darlington’s detention over accusations that Burna Boy, one of Nigeria’s top artistes, had a sexual relationship with American music mogul P. Diddy to win his 2021 Grammy award illustrates the consequences of misusing the freedom of speech. Although Afe Babalola and Burna Boy risked harming their hard-earned reputation and career over unsubstantiated allegations, Farotimi’s and Darlington’s claims also verged on defamation and libel, even though they generated public rumors.
Although freedom of speech allows people to voice their thoughts without fear, it does not allow for damaging or unsubstantiated statements that harm people’s reputations. There are obligations associated with freedom of speech, just like any other right. It allows individuals to speak truth to power and demand accountability but this freedom is not without limits. Laws regulating libel, slander, and hate speech are examples of restrictions on freedom of expression.
Other rights function within similar parameters as speech. Take press freedom as an example. The freedom of the media to report and influence public opinion is restricted to avoid sensationalism and false information. Likewise, freedom of religion guarantees the right to worship, yet this freedom is not a ticket to impose one’s faith on others, violate laws or harm others under the guise of religious expression. Even freedom of movement is curtailed when necessary for public safety or national security.
Freedom has two sides, and you are entirely correct if you already believe that. On one hand, it amplifies voices and on the other hand, it amplifies harm. Interestingly, it can be difficult to distinguish between exercising one’s rights and infringing on those of others. What starts as “freedom of expression” can quickly morph into character assassination, which is why to every right or freedom, there is a corresponding duty. As the popular saying goes, “The rights of one person end where the rights of another begin.” This often thrown-about statement implies that freedom is not absolute.
Unquestionably, fundamental human rights are universal, but their regulated nature is also undeniable. Nigeria is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which recognizes the right to freedom of expression but also the possibility of its restriction. Article 19(3) of the ICCPR states that freedom of expression can be limited to respect the rights or reputations of others or to protect national security, public order, public health, or morals.
Beyond speech, other rights operate within similar boundaries. Take press freedom as an example. In order to avoid sensationalism and false information, the media’s freedom to report and influence public opinion is subject to regulations. Likewise, freedom of religion guarantees the right to worship, yet this freedom is not a ticket to impose one’s faith on others, violate laws or harm others under the guise of religious expression. Even freedom of movement is curtailed when necessary for public safety or national security.
Freedom has two sides, and you are entirely correct if you already believe that. On one hand, it amplifies voices and on the other hand, it amplifies harm. It is noteworthy that there is little distinction between exercising one’s rights and infringing upon those of others. What starts as “freedom of expression” can quickly morph into character assassination, which is why to every right or freedom, there is a corresponding duty. As the popular saying goes, “The rights of one person end where the rights of another begin.” This often thrown-about statement implies that freedom is not absolute.
Unquestionably, fundamental human rights are universal, but their regulated nature is also undeniable. Nigeria is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which recognizes the right to freedom of expression but also the possibility of its restriction. Article 19(3) of the ICCPR states that freedom of expression can be limited to respect the rights or reputations of others or to protect national security, public order, public health, or morals.
