The Right to Life in Costa Rica

Wednesday October 19 th 2012

The right to life is the right to which any human being is entitled and acquired by the simple fact of existing and being alive; it is considered a fundamental right that all people have. Nowadays, it has become fashionable and many people who believe that the law should also protect the animals´ right to life, known as animal rights advocates, have joined together to fight for their respect and care for their physical integrity, since they can not defend themselves.

Life is par excellence, the most important human right, which can be defined from different perspectives. First of all, we have the human life, which comprises its bodily and mental forms; second, the social life through which people join to work together; and third, the nature life, which links humans to other living species, among others.

Therefore, the Human Rights conventions and other entities that have always sought to protect this important right take into account the above definitions, since they not only pursue the survival of humankind but foster in turn the respect for this right in order to ensure people’s vital functions, a fulfilling life, and physical and emotional integrity.

Among the rights of man, the most important one is with no doubt the right to life, for it is the reason of being of all other rights. It would be meaningless trying to ensure the property, religion, or culture, if the person to whom these rights are granted, is dead.

The right to life is considered a civil right, comprised within the so-called first generation rights; it is highly recognized in several international treaties, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Pact of San José de Costa Rica, the Convention on the Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

As far as the protection of the right to life, it not only tries to prevent the death of a person, but all forms of abuse that make their life unworthy or a constant martyrdom, killing them slowly, as well as any violation of their physical, emotional, and psychological integrity.

That is why those who attempt against the life of others have different ways to do so. such as genocide, which consists of destructive acts against a group because of their nationality, religion, race, or ethnicity; the forced disappearance of persons through the usual practice of some governments that exercise state terrorism (to kidnap, torture and often kill their political enemies); or slavery, torture, nuclear weapons production, and abuse, among others.

The right to life is enshrined in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that "Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and personal security". Likewise, Article 2 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union provides that everyone has the right to life and no one may be sentenced to death or executed; nevertheless, this prohibition will apply depending on whether or not a country has recognized and subscribed said treaties and conventions.

The right to life must be respected and NEVER, under any circumstances, be violated.