HUMAN RIGHTS Flashcards
What are human rights?
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. They are applicable at all times, in all places and they protect everyone equally without discrimination and regardless of nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, religion, language or any other status.
What is the UNHRC?
It is the united nations human rights council and they are responsible for protecting and promoting human rights
What are the key features of the UNHRC?
-47 member states (13 seats-African states, 13 seats-Asia pacific states, 8 seats-Latin American and Caribbean states, 7 seats- Western European, 6 seats-Eastern European)
-Established in 1945
-Universal declaration of human rights was established in the UN general assembly on the 10th dec 1948
-Headquarters is in Geneva Switzerland
What are some of the human rights? (10)
1-Right to equality
2-Freedom from slavery
3-Freedom and expression
4-Right to work
5-Right to education
6-Freedom from torture and cruelty
7-Presumption of innocent until proven guilty
8-Right to move in and out of a country
9-Right to marriage and family
10-Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
What are some of the human rights-Child? (5)
1-Right to a name and nationality
2-Protection from exploitation
3-Right to play
4-Protection from violence and abuse
5-Right to health
What are human rights norms?
These are practises that have been established by countries and are now integrated into their culture and been accepted as the ‘NORM’ (or what is normal). They are essentially moral principles of acceptable human behaviour. Common ‘Norms’ helped establish the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and many are protected by international laws
What is a declaration?
These are agreements which are often accepted but are not legally binding
What is a convention?
An agreement between different states where the outcome is legally binding and part of international law
What is signing a treaty?
Signing shows an intent by a state to comply with the agreement
What is ratifying a treaty?
When a state consents to be legally bound to that treaty and creates legislation to enforce these laws
What is the UNCRC?
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. If a country is allowing human rights violations against children then they are not morally or legally following their obligations
What is UNICEF?
-UNICEF is a charity that works closely with the UN Improve the lives of children and their families
United nations international childrens emergency fund
What happens if a convention is ratified?
If a convention is ratified, the country is legally bound to do all they can to uphold it by establishing nationwide legislation and committees to monitor their progress but if these are not met, other countries could intervene (intervention)
What are the 3 types of humanitarian intervention?
1-Military force
2-UN peace keeping
3-Non military
What is military force?
These are only used in extreme cases and must be authorised by the UN security council which compromise of China, France, UK, USA and Russia (permanent members) Angola, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia, NZ, Senegal, Spain, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela (non-permanent members) 60 other non members can take part in discussions but will not have a vote. It can be very effective but is very Controversial
Why should military force be used?
1- War?
2- Failure to meet Women’s rights?
3-Torure?
4-Applying to the death penalty?
5-Incarceration?
6-Using child soldiers?
7-Geoncide?
8-Slavery?
9-Dictatorship?
Advantages of military intervention?
-Halts the human rights violations and injustices.
-Allows for political stability.
-Allows communities to re-establish themselves.
-Enables the country to develop (something impossible during conflicts).
-Reduces the exodus of refugees (those in other countries can return reducing burden there).
Disadvantages of military intervention?
-Is it possible without civilians getting caught up in the fighting.
-Will it create more refugees?
-Is the outcome sustainable?
-Damage done to buildings, infrastructure, schools.
-Does it leads to further divide.
-Will it trigger more abuses?
-Are there ulterior motives?
What is a UN peace keeping?
If a mandate (signed permission to enter) is created the UN will collect its forces (troops, if needed, and key workers). These come from all member states. Troops are passive and will not ignite a situation. Self defence is permitted. Key workers aim to bring peace and empower those at risk as well as advising Governments, especially when they are weak
What is non-military intervention?
Often used when human rights violations are more complex as agreement to act more difficult. Often in the form of economic sanctions which can be against countries, groups or individuals and are designed to coerce them them into changing their stance on human rights violations and/or regime changes.
What is geopolitics?
Geopolitics refers to the global balance of political power and international relations
What does the geopolitics of intervention in human rights issues require an understanding of?
-Political composition of the groups of countries and organisations that are involved in intervention
-Nature of the intervention itself
-Reasons why intervention has been deemed necessary
-Characteristics of the country, government and peoples affected
-Possible political, socio-economic, and environmental consequences of intervention/global governance
-Complexity of human rights issues and their spatial patterns
What is ASEAN?
Association of South East Asian Nations
What is OPEC?
Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
What is forced labour?
Situations in which persons are coerced to work through the use of violence or intimidation or by more subtle means such as accumulation of debt, retention of identify papers or threats of denunciation (the informing of) to immigration authorities
What are examples of forced labour?
-Domestic workers (often females)
-Sex slaves (often females)
-Bonded labour e.g. Construction jobs (recruitment agencies from overseas)
-Illegal labour (illegal immigrants)
-Sweat shops (Factories with bad conditions and pay low/long hours)
-Child labour, Child soldiers.
-National service in military
What are some facts about forced labour?
-About 25 million people are victims of forced labour
-The majority are women and girls for example 71.1 % Modern slavery overall affects females, 28.9% males
-There are more adults than children in slavery
-Migrant workers and indigenous people are particularly vulnerable to forced labour
What is the spatial pattern of forced labour?
-Uneven but no region is unaffected
-South East Asia has the highest numbers of people
-Africa has a large range
-Less victims in the Americas, Oceania and Europe
What are the factors that influence the variation of forced labour?
Economic, social, environmental and political
What are the economic factors that influence the variation of forced labour?
-Poverty
-lack of economic opportunities and unemployment
-Low wages
-Subsistence farming
-Migration and seeking work
