Human rights in traditional African society : examining the right of the physically challenged in Nigerian perspective

Abstract

Human Rights are absolutely necessary for the adequate development of the human personality and for human happiness. A human right is a moral right held unconditionally and unalterably by all and only human beings. In claiming these human rights, everyone also accepts the responsibility not to infringe on the rights of others and to support those whose rights are being abused or denied. Traditional Africa had and practiced human rights but still left much to be desired in relation to persons with disabilities who are often excluded from mainstream of the society and denied their human rights. This paper examines the plight of the deformed, disabled or physically challenged as they are now referred to, and the socially disabled under traditional African society vis-a-vis their rights against discrimination using the Nigerian society as our case study.