Human rights - ethical debates Flashcards
What is the background of an issue relating to economic challenges to the universality of human rights?
Labour rights in Brazil are being violated, as child labour is being used to harvest acai berries. In 2022, 1.9 million children were engaged in child labour and unsafe working conditions without proper equipment, safety measures and training.
What is the realist response towards economic challenges to human rights in Brazil?
Brazil is a major global exporter of acai berries, relying on such industries for economic growth and employment. The Brazilian government prioritises economic growth and job creation over international labour rights due to the priority of reducing poverty and unemployment. Thus, child labour is justified, as children work to raise money for their families and lift them out of poverty. Brazil is acting to protect the interests of its citizens, even though human and labour rights are in violation to do so.
What is a cosmopolitan response to the ethical debate of economic challenges to human rights in Brazil?
In response to the use of child labour to harvest acai berries in Brazil, organisations such as the International Labour organisation in 2017 partnered with the Brazilian Ministry of Labour to implement programs to target child labour in agriculture, and in relation to acai berries. Furthermore, operation Acai in 2014 was aimed to identify and address child labour. By partnering with the ILO, a cosmopolitan approach was adopted, as the organisation assists Brazil in adhering to its obligations under international law to ensure that Children’s rights are upheld.
Cultural challenges background
Military crackdown on Rohingya people in Myanmar 2016 lead to human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings, rape and arson. Ethnic cleansing
Cultural challenges realist response
Due to 1982 citizenship law, Rohingya are not citizens of Myanmar, and thus they are perceived threats to national security. 2017 attacks from the Arkan Rohingya salvation Army was a threat to Myanmar’s national security after they attacked police and other stations in 2017, and thus actions against the Rohingya are in counter-terrorism.
Cultural challenges cosmopolitan response
UNHCR and the UN have taken humanitarian aid measures to protect the Rohingya people. The ICJ ordered for Myanmar to take provisional measures to protect the Rohingyas from further harm (2020), and the ICC opened an investigation to crimes against humanity.
