Prioritizing rights before duties, between Canada and other countries: Who respects citizenship and justice by respecting citizens' rights?

By: Malak Abu Touk

In an era where social media has become a platform for free expression and openness, some countries still practice restrictions on the basic rights of their citizens, despite these rights being clearly stated in their constitutions. Ironically, some regimes see empowering individuals as a threat that requires repression as a deterrent, forgetting that justice begins by giving a person the rights they deserve. On the other hand, major countries, led by Canada, stand out as a model that elevates the human being, establishing a culture of rights as a priority before asking the citizen to fulfill their duties.

Canada as a Model for Achieving Social Balance

While some countries focus on obliging citizens to duties without guaranteeing their rights, Canada places rights at the core of its vision of citizenship. Rights are not a favor, but the foundation for building a productive and balanced society where the individual feels safe and belonging. For this reason, Canada places great importance on achieving a balance between what the citizen receives and what is required of them, realizing that giving is only achieved when a person feels justice and dignity.

How is balance achieved in societies that respect their citizens?

Canada is among the countries that enshrine freedom of expression as a fundamental right for everyone living on its territory, making it a safe haven for refugees fleeing repression and persecution. These newcomers from authoritarian countries feel a vast difference between previous marginalization and the respect they find in Canada, generating a genuine sense of belonging that enhances their integration and readiness to participate in building society.

(Council of Ministers of Education) A study issued in 2022 by the Council of Ministers of Education in Canada has shown

:that the country adopts an advanced educational approach to instill the concepts of rights and duties in new generations, which is manifested through

. Integrating the topic of rights and duties into the high school curricula as an essential part of students' civic education.
. Training teachers to manage effective discussion dialogues on the concepts of “freedom and responsibility,” which consolidates critical thinking and supports the concept of active citizenship.

It is worth noting that this approach is not limited to Canada only but is also adopted by other advanced countries such as Norway, Finland, New Zealand, and Germany, within the framework of promoting the values of citizenship and social justice.

Consequences of Rights Suppression in Repressive Countries

On the other hand, reports issued by organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Freedom House show that there are countries that persist in violating rights while imposing duties, such as China and Iran, resulting in troubled social environments where trust is absent and citizenship values erode.

:Among the most prominent negative effects resulting from the suppression of rights
Migration of talents and minds.
Spread of corruption and favoritism.
Weak trust between the citizen and the state.
Lack of national belonging.

Conclusion: Good Citizenship Begins with Respecting the Human Being

The Canadian experience confirms that rights and duties are two sides of the same coin, and justice is not built by imposing obligations only, but begins by empowering the citizen and granting them space for expression and participation. Within this balance, the features of a good citizen capable of serving their country with free will and sincere belonging are formed. True citizenship is not imposed but built on mutual respect between the state and the individual.