Global: Human Rights Governance Flashcards
what is the UNHRC?
UN human rights council - comprised of 47 member states - addresses global violations of human rights, and makes recommendations on how to address them.
strengths of UNHRC membership?
Since the Council was established in 2006, its membership has reflected the UN’s diversity – with states large and small, democratic and authoritarian, and everything in between. This gives the Council unique legitimacy.
weaknesses of UNHRC membership?
Whilst China, Cuba and Venezuela manage to get elected repeatedly, other notorious violators e.g Iran, Sudan, Syria, Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus, have been dissuaded from running or defeated in their campaigns. Current members include China and Uzbekistan – countries with questionable human rights records. question of how appropriate it is to have these countries on a human rights council.
strengths of UNHRC decision making?
In 2022, Russia was expelled from the Human Rights Council after evidence of possible War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity were discovered in Bucha and other Ukrainian settlements. Happened shortly after the invasion so evidence of quick action being taken
weaknesses of UNHRC decision making?
strengths of UNHRC effectiveness?
On Syria, where the Security Council has failed to act, the Council has held special sessions to hear from a commission of inquiry that is identifying suspects to courts in Europe, paving the way for holding war criminals to account in the future.
weaknesses of UNHRC effectiveness?
successes of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda?
made 61 convictions - may bring some form of closure to the families of victims
failures of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda?
several perpetrators of the genocide remain on the run - huge amount of money spent on the tribunal - arguably insufficient justice served compared to money spent. HR governance bodies did not intervene effectively until the genocide had already taken place; could be argued any success of the tribunals are negated by this
successes of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia?
among those convicted was slobodan milosovic - the first time a head of state had been found guilty of such a crime.
failures of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia?
huge amount spent for relatively few convictions. HR governance bodies did not intervene effectively until the genocide had already taken place; could be argued any success of the tribunals are negated by this
successes of the khmer rouge tribunal?
majority of Cambodians (in surveys) believe the tribunal was valuable for bring justice to the country.
failures of the khmer rouge tribunal?
Very low conviction rate. Cost $300 million for 3 convictions. POL POT (Khmer Rouge)never faced trial before dying. HR governance bodies did not intervene effectively until the genocide had already taken place; could be argued any success of the tribunals are negated by this
