8A.5A Flashcards
What is the spec point for 8A.5A
Some states frequently invoke human rights in international forums and debates whilst other prioritise economic development over human rights and defend this approach
State one country that prioritises economic development over human rights and defend this approach
uzbekistan
Describe uzbekistan’s productivity
- World’s largest cotton producer
- 2mths/yr – children 17+ adult labour to harvest cotton
where do cotton pickers get chosen from in uzbekistan
In 2015: 14% of 2m Uzbekts were press-ganged into picking cotton. By 2020: declined to 4%, and undetectable in 2022.
What are the risks involved in cotton-picking in uzbekistan
- Dangerous: unknown chemicals, unsanitary housing, lack of water
- Consequences: penalties, loss of arm lease, criminal charges, fines, expulsion from school, hobs loss, social security
What is being done for human rights for cotton-pickers in uzbekistan
16 political prisoners and journalists released
16,000 people removed from security ‘blacklists’
Call to prayer is allowed
Promise to remove exit visas
Protections against arbitrary detention
Media freedom – and BBC invited to open a bureau
What else did the new president do?
Less forced labour – but still tight export controls – allowing greater mechanization, along with freer trade and currency floatation
Border crossing reopened
Who was the new president
shavkat kirziyoyez (2017)
Which countries are all for human rights and are part of UN human rights agreement
All the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands, France, the UK, and Canada, among others
How do you measure human rights
Freedom House – is there open political competition and climate of respect?
Which countries are ranked free using the freedom house
Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands, France, the UK, and Canada, among others
- typically first countries to call out any kind of human rights abuse
Which other countries prioritise economic development over human rights
China, Malaysia, Mexico, much of the Middle East and large parts of Africa.
Why do some countries prioritise economic development over human rights
once economic development is achieved, human rights can then follow. They would argue that in the UK gender equality, universal suffrage, universal healthcare and education all emerged after the industrial revolution
why should we prioritise human rights though?
- people may be more productive and innovative when they have the protected freedoms that human rights bring
- many of the world’s wealthiest countries have are also those with the best human rights records
