Human rights Flashcards
define human rights
the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled
What should human rights do and where did they originate
Protect all individuals, at all times and in all places
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the UN in 1948
Violations on human rights occur in a range of scales and locations
Globalisation and development have affected human rights
What are human rights norms and how are they protected?
the foundation of human rights - 30 statements in the UDHR that are accepted. They are protected by law and the signing of international treaties or conventions.
What is humanitarian intervention?
intervention by a state or group of states in a foreign territory may be used to end human rights violations.
What are some examples of humanitarian intervention?
The UN security council is the only body that can authorise the use of force
There are costs and benefits to this - may cause stability or more injustice
UN involvement may include peacekeeping and coordinations of organisations
Interventions can also take the form of economic sanctions and prosecuting individuals responsible
Define geopolitics
global political power and international relations
What factors affect geopolitical power?
Often closely linked with economic power
IMF - powerfuls ACs, increasingly influential EDCs and peripheral LIDCs
Organisations such as the UN exert geopolitical influence
Multinational corporations (MNCs) hav power and influence
Governments and organisations can differ on how they interpret norms which makes intervention more difficult
What does UDHR Article 3 say?
the right to ‘life, liberty and security’
What is forced labour and where is it most prevalent?
People coerced to work through the use of violence, intimidation or by subtle means such as paper retention
45.8 million worldwide
North Korea loans slaves and keeps wages - $2.3 bn
China 70,000 children in sex slavery
What factors affect forced labour?
Economic - poverty, lack of opportunities, low pay, farming - causes migration
Social - gender inequality, age, bonded labour, organised crime, trafficking
Political - instability, conflict, corruption, loss of law, state sponsorship
Environmental - climate disasters, hazards
What intervention is there for forced labour?
Antislavery petitions
Some legislation e.g. India
Free the Slaves
GLAA expanded
What is MMR and where is it most prevalent?
The death of women while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy
2013 289,000 died
Developing world is most affected e.g. Chad 980/100,000 births
Afghanistan 1 dead every 27 mins, now every hour
What factors influence MMR?
Health and access to healthcare - development needed
Rights (education, abortion)
Malnutrition
Access to care (midwives - central Africa <1.15/1000, WHO minimum 5/2000)
Population distribution and infrastructure
Poverty
Cultural discrimination
What intervention is there to reduce MMR?
Christian Aid 5 year transport project, 31 people in 26 locations in Kenya using motorbikes (people earn a living) to transport women, 100,000 helped, education, fresh water, HIV awareness
CEDAW - article 12 - ‘all measures to eliminate discrimination against women in healthcare’
US Aid (MCSP) provides workers to train locals as midwives and to spread medication. Clinics have treated 137,000 kids since 2017
What did BAO endure?
‘blood cannabis’
UK cannabis farms - people trafficked from Vietnam (96%) kids (81%)
Locked in flat for 2 months, dangerous conditions, prison sentences if caught
Starvation threats, fear, violence
Define gender inequality
the unequal treatment of individuals based on their gender affecting human rights and opportunities
What measures equality and what are the challenges to equality?
Global Gender Gap Index used to compare countries
Challenges include forced marriage, human trafficking, access to education and violence against women
What factors cause gender inequality?
Economic - pay gap is 10,000, fewer women in leadership roles, less women in higher paid roles
Political - only 26% of parliaments are women only 23% in ministerial roles
Social - education, literacy rate, 86% primary women, 91% men, violence, sexually assault is 45% Middle East and North Africa, cultural issues
How does migration affect human rights?
Harassment, access to services, wages, poor housing, border corruption, safety
Exploited psychologically and documents taken
Children left behind
What intervention is there to reduce human rights violations through migration?
SLBFE - gov needs to do more in source countries
EMPHASIS - counselling, banking, HIV
What are the different strategies for global governance of human rights?
Laws and regulations - new laws and strengthening old ones
Treaties and conventions established by global organisations
UN peacekeeping
Humanitarian intervention and relief assistance
Attempts to change/modernise norms
Influence of MNCs in terns of Corporate Social Responsibility
Work of NGOs and private organisations
How can the violation of human rights cause conflict?
Denial of basic human needs
Discrimination
Oppressive governments
Genocide and torture
How can the violation of human rights be a consequence of conflict?
Mortality
Damage to homes and infrastructure
Food and water supplies damaged
People displaced
Women exploited
‘Ethnic cleansing’
How does the flow of people affect geopolitical intervention?
How does the flow of money affect geopolitical intervention?
Money is needed to fund the operations e.g. Haiti 2004-2017 4500 people and $500 million donated by 51 countries
How does the flow of ideas affect geopolitical intervention?
Needs to be efficient flows of ideas and information at planning stages, the UNHRC employs individuals and groups to promote values and ideas, NGOs publish information to increase awareness of issues
How does the flow of technology affect geopolitical intervention?
Technology helps with the flow of ideas, remote sensing and satellite imagery is used for surveillance of dangerous areas (Afghanistan)
What does global governance involve to ensure human rights?
co-operation at scales from global to local levels
How can human rights be promoted/protected at an international level?
Supranational scale - UN
International organisation with 193 member states working under the UN Charter (human rights at the centre)
Office of High Commissioner for the Human rights has the lead responsibility
Council and treaty bodies work with the legal backing of the international bill of rights
Security council deals with serious violations of human rights in conflict areas
How can human rights be promoted/protected at a local/regional level?
NGOs
Work at local scale to monitor situations and provide education and training programmes to support people
How can human rights be promoted/protected on a legal level?
Treaties, laws and norms
Treaty - international agreement between 2 or more states/organisations - binds the institution to it by international law (defines the responsibilities of states)
Treaties and laws are defined from norms - long established practices set out in UN Charter than are reinforced by treaties
How are human rights and development linked?
Human rights are essential to development - MDGs and SDGs have clear links
What are the positive short-term impacts of global governance?
Medical intervention e.g. Medecins Sans Frontieres
Provision of shelter, sanitation, water and food by NGOs
Military protection can prevent further casualties, establish protected areas to live and provide safety for aid workers - UN peacekeepers
What are the negative short-term impacts of global governance?
Military intervention
Damage to property and infrastructure
Population displacement
Further disrespect for human rights
Civilian casualties
Education disruption
Aid and conflict can cause further tensions
Military action and dependence can undermine local economy
What are the long term positive impacts of successful intevention?
Improvement in health and life expectancy (IMR, MMR)
Education equality
Improved transport systems and access to services
International networks developed
Social norms internalised
Freedom of abuse for women and kids
Democratic gov
Strengthened judicial system/new laws
Employment opportunities, poverty reduced
Local agriculture systems including training/education
What are the long-term negatives of intervention?
If intervention is not successful it can cause huge issues, conflict may continue which causes more human rights violations
