2.2 - Uzbekistan Cotton Flashcards
Uzbekistan
Main cash crop (17% of exports)
6th largest exporter of cotton in the world
State-controlled since USSR - collective farms with quotas
Now diversifying to avoid Dutch disease
Boycotted by M&S, Ikea, Tesco, Adidas
Human Rights?
Depends on the countries prioritises and it’s development levels as only a few put human rights first
How To Measure Human Rights
Freedom House - is there open political competition and climate of respect or are they violated
The measures are transparent, the number of countries described as totally free is going down.
How Do You Tackle It
Global Communication
Crowdsourcing
Pressure on the UN
Impose sanctions
R2P - Responsibility To Protect e.g. Ivory Coast
Why Not? (Human Rights)
Showing independence from colonial rulers
Political resistance
Historical loss of civil liberties e.g. UK prison
Uzbekistan - Human Rights
World’s largest cotton producer
2mths/yr - children 17+ adult labour to harvest cotton which is dangerous due to lack of water and unknown chemicals
Consequences - Penalties, Loss of arm lease, Criminal charges, Fines, Expulsion From School, Hob Loss, Social Security
Forces students to work whilst the government takes the profits
Rights Vs Development
Developing countries prioritise growth and security over human rights. Former colonies don’t like being told what to do as they don’t want to be dictated by superpowers.
Players In Human Rights
TNC’s
Media
Consumers
Human Right Activitists
NGO’s
Politicians
Possible Solutions For Uzbekistan
Put tariffs on cotton plants
Low co-oroperate tax rates which could incenitivise investment and therefore workers would get paid
TNC’s boycott cotton
Social media awareness
Laws
UN military intervention
Which Rights Are Infringed In Uzbekistan
Right To EDucation
Right to seek justice
right to be free from slavery
right to rest and play
Which Rights Are Infringed In Uzbekistan
Right To EDucation
Right to seek justice
right to be free from slavery
right to rest and play
