Human Rights Paper 1

Question 1

Describe African Union’s Role in the Darfur Crisis

Answer 1

The Darfur crisis in Sudan began in 2003 when rebel groups took up arms against the Sudanese government, which responded with a brutal crackdown involving government-backed militias.
The African Union (AU) deployed a peacekeeping mission called AMIS in 2004 to monitor the ceasefire and protect civilians, but it was hindered by a lack of resources and political will.
The UN later established the joint UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in 2007 with a stronger mandate, but it also struggled with insufficient resources and obstruction from the Sudanese government.
The AU’s response highlighted its willingness to intervene but also its limitations in effectively stopping the violence due to a lack of capabilities and support from member states.

Question 2

Describe Rohingya Genocide in Myanmar - the ASEAN and UN/EU Role

Answer 2

The Rohingya genocide refers to the mass killing, rape, and forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims by the Myanmar military starting in 2017.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was criticized for its passive response, failing to condemn the atrocities or take meaningful action.
The UN and EU imposed targeted sanctions on Myanmar military leaders, but were unable to stop the violence.
The international response was widely seen as ineffective, with the Rohingya people continuing to face persecution and displacement.

Question 3

Describe China’s Oppression of the Uyghurs

Answer 3

The Chinese government has been accused of committing genocide against the Uyghur ethnic minority in the Xinjiang region, through mass detention, forced labor, cultural erasure, and other human rights abuses.
The UN has called for unfettered access to Xinjiang to investigate the situation, but China has denied access and rejected allegations of genocide.
The international community, including the US and EU, have imposed sanctions on Chinese officials, but China’s economic and political power has limited the effectiveness of these measures.
The crisis highlights the challenges of addressing human rights abuses by a powerful authoritarian state.

Question 4

Describe Migrant Workers in Qatar Prior to the 2020 FIFA World Cup

Answer 4

In the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar faced widespread criticism over the exploitation and poor working conditions of migrant workers constructing infrastructure for the event.
Human rights groups documented abuses such as non-payment of wages, unsafe working environments, and restrictions on worker mobility.
The UN and international community called on Qatar to reform its labor laws and improve protections for migrant workers, leading to some improvements, but concerns remained about the continued vulnerability of this population.

Question 5

Describe UN/NATO Role in No-Fly Zone over Libya

Answer 5

In 2011, the UN Security Council authorized a no-fly zone over Libya and “all necessary measures” to protect civilians, in response to the Gaddafi regime’s violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.
NATO led the military intervention, conducting airstrikes against Gaddafi’s forces, which helped tip the balance in favor of rebel forces and led to Gaddafi’s overthrow.
The aftermath saw continued instability and conflict in Libya, and the intervention was criticized by some for exceeding its mandate and contributing to the country’s descent into civil war.
The intervention highlighted the challenges of military intervention for humanitarian purposes.

Question 6

Darfur Crisis in Sudan:

Answer 6

The Sudanese government’s intransigence and the diplomatic protection it received from China hindered effective international action to stop the human rights violations.
This allowed the Sudanese government to continue its campaign against civilians with impunity, undermining the universality of human rights.

Chinas - lack of involvement due to economic and political. interests and soverignty (cultural relativism also states they are against human intervention)

Question 7

Rohingya Genocide in Myanmar

Answer 7

The Myanmar government’s denial of the Rohingya’s rights and the international community’s reluctance to intervene due to concerns over state sovereignty allowed the atrocities to continue.
This shows how political interests can override human rights norms.

Question 8

Migrant Workers in Qatar Prior to the 2020 FIFA World Cup:

Answer 8

The exploitation of migrant workers’ rights was enabled by Qatar’s unwillingness to enforce labor protections, prioritizing economic and political interests over human rights

Question 9

Mahsa Amini Protests

Question 10

LGTBQ rights in poland

Question 11

mass surveillance in the UK

Question 12

Brexit

Question 13

Deforestation in Brazil

Answer 13

The deforestation of the Amazon in Brazil involves a dispute between environmentalists, indigenous communities, the Brazilian government, and agribusiness interests. Environmentalists and indigenous groups seek to protect the rainforest for its ecological and cultural importance, while the Brazilian government and agribusinesses prioritize economic development and agricultural expansion. This conflict reveals differing priorities: conservation and climate protection versus economic growth and resource exploitation, highlighting the complex balance between environmental sustainability and economic interests in global politics.

Question 14

UN peacekeeping mission in haiti

Question 15

costa rica v nicaragua

Answer 15

The Costa Rica v. Nicaragua land dispute, resolved by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2018, reaffirmed Costa Rica’s sovereignty over the disputed territory. Non-state actors, such as international legal experts and environmental organizations, played a role in advocating for a peaceful resolution and adherence to international law. The outcome reinforced the legitimacy of both countries’ claims while promoting peaceful dispute resolution through legal means. This case highlighted the importance of international institutions in upholding sovereignty and maintaining peace, demonstrating how non-state actors can facilitate diplomacy and legal arbitration in territorial conflicts.

The Costa Rica-Nicaragua border dispute over the San Juan River and Harbor Head Lagoon underscores the significance of sovereignty in global politics, with both nations vigorously defending their territorial claims. The conflict illustrates realist principles, as Nicaragua deployed troops and used Google Maps to assert control, while Costa Rica stood firm, leading to a legal battle. The international community played a crucial role, with the International Court of Justice ultimately ruling in favor of Costa Rica, exemplifying liberal principles through legal arbitration and peaceful resolution. This case highlights how countries prioritize sovereignty, the impact of international mediation, and the balance between realist and liberal approaches in resolving territorial disputes.

Question 16

icc indictment of putin

Question 17

human rights watch in syria

Answer 17

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has been instrumental in documenting and exposing human rights violations in Syria, providing detailed reports on atrocities committed by various parties involved in the conflict. Their goal has been to promote accountability, influence international policy, and advocate for justice for victims. While HRW has succeeded in raising global awareness and pressuring international bodies to act, their effectiveness in stopping the ongoing violence has been limited. This situation underscores the significant but constrained role non-state actors like HRW play in global politics. Their efforts challenge state sovereignty and legitimacy by holding governments and factions accountable on the international stage, yet the persistent conflict in Syria highlights the difficulties non-state actors face in enforcing human rights and achieving tangible changes amid complex geopolitical dynamics.

Question 18

US v China trading alliances

Answer 18

The formation of RCEP underscores a significant shift in global trade dynamics, reinforcing China’s economic dominance in the Asia-Pacific region and diminishing U.S. influence. This exclusion of the U.S. from RCEP allows China to build stronger economic ties and increase its soft power among smaller Asian nations, leading to greater economic interdependence. As China consolidates its position, the U.S. may face challenges in maintaining its economic leadership and influence.

These developments could lead to ripple effects on global economic stability by altering established trade routes and supply chains, which many countries rely on for their economies. The shift in trade agreements might push other nations to reassess their trade policies, possibly leading to new alliances or economic blocs that exclude the U.S. Geopolitically, this could result in a realignment of global power structures, with countries increasingly aligning with either China or the U.S. based on economic benefits, thus intensifying global competition and potentially increasing tensions in international relations.

Question 19

farc in colombia

Answer 19

The revolutionary armed forces of colombia(FARC) was a far right communist party who had the goal of overthrowing the colombian government and replacing it with one that favored a more marxist ideology
FARC was a very violent group and often used ransoms from kidnapping to fund the organization and often bombed parts of colombia as a part of their social demonstrations
In 2016 FARC signed a peace deal with the colombian government
The case study of FARC illustrates how legitimacy of a social organization can be undermined as a result of utilizing violence, FARC is often called a terrorist organization and its efforts to extend government outreach to more rural columbia were often shadowed by their use of violence

Question 20

taliban in afghanistan

Answer 20

The conflict involving the Taliban in Afghanistan features multiple actors, including the Taliban, the Afghan government, local militias, and international forces like the U.S. and NATO allies. From a realist perspective, the Taliban’s resurgence challenges Afghanistan’s sovereignty and the legitimacy of its government. The Taliban’s use of hard power through military tactics and their strategic soft power efforts to gain local support and international recognition underscore their extensive reach and influence. The international community’s role has been significant yet fraught with challenges; despite two decades of military and developmental assistance, the withdrawal of foreign troops in 2021 marked a turning point, leading to the rapid collapse of the Afghan government. This situation underscores the complexities of international intervention, the limits of soft power, and the enduring struggle for legitimacy and sovereignty in conflict zones.