ABSTRACT
This chapter starts with the United Nations definition of human rights. It then focuses on to some examples of human rights of Third World countries in general and Bangladesh in particular, showing that weak accountability of government produces many consequences which are seen by human rights activists as infringements of the fundamental rights of the people. The chapter discusses the following rights and their relationships to accountability in government: freedom of speech, freedom of association, the right to life, liberty, and justice, these being regarded as the most fundamental. Individuals have the right to criticise governmental interference in their rights. They have the right to criticise government policies and leaders. Socio-economic rights which are essentially the rights of the poor and weak require government action for their implementation. Irresponsibility or weak accountability of government might lead to the infringement of human rights. Interference, infringement or abrogation is not acceptable.
