Right to life under legal and jurisprudential standards: Implications for Nigeria

Abstract

Life is of the essence in every human existence, and protection of this right is of global concern. The right to life enshrined in many legal instruments is as old as civilization. Although it is not an absolute right yet no one has the right to take his or another’s life unlawfully. Neither law nor morality welcomes such rascality. In a civilised and well informed society, the life of every individual is importantly appreciated and adequately protected. Today, despite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948, and other domestic and international legal provisions for the protection of the right to life, the right to life has in practice remained under constant threat even by world leaders. This paper discusses jurisprudence of life bringing to fore the historical background and evolutionary concept of life. Secondly, it examines life in the indigenous culture having the original Igbo tradition in focus. It further discusses some legal instruments for the protection of the right to life and the effectiveness of the Universal Declaration of Human Right in safeguarding the right to life in Nigeria and the globe. Recommendations are made.

Keywords: Jurisprudence, Human Life, Universal Declaration, Human Right, Nigeria