Explain how the scope of rights has been expanded in recent times.

The scope of rights has been expanded in the following ways :
(i) The court judgments have helped in expanding the scope of rights. (a) Certain rights like right to freedom of press, right to information and right to education are derived from the Fundamental Rights. (b)The government is responsible for providing free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14 years. (c) The Supreme Court has expanded the meaning of right to 1ife to include the right to food also.
(ii) The Parliament has enacted a law giving the right to information to the citizens. This Act was made under the freedom of thought and expression.
(iii) Constitution provides certain rights which are not fundamental e.g., right to property.
(iv) Right, to vote is a constitutional right.
(v) Human rights that are universal moral claims also help in the expansion of rights.
(vi) International covenants also contribute to the expansion of rights.
(vii) Sometimes the rights are result of struggle of the people. New rights are guaranteed under the new constitutions. For example, the Constitution of South Africa guarantees the following rights:
(a) Right to privacy.
(b) Right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.
(c) Right to have access to adequate housing.
(d) Right to have access to health care services, sufficient food and water and medical treatment in an emergency.