Module 2: Key Concepts & Principles

Question 1

What are human rights?

Answer 1

• The rights you have simply because you are human –Based on the principle of respect
• “Minimum standards of dignity”

Question 2

When ànd how did modern human rights arise?

Answer 2

In the aftermath of WWII&raquo_space; Establishment of the United Nations&raquo_space; Human Rights Commission formed and led by Eleanor Roosevelt (18 member countries)

Question 3

What are the human rights principles of universality and inalienability?

Answer 3

All people everywhere are entitled to human rights - rights realization promotes equality and nondiscrimination

Question 4

What is the human rights principle of indivisibility?

Answer 4

All human rights have equal status and cannot be positioned in hierarchical order

Question 5

What are the human rights principles of interdependence and interrelatedness?

Answer 5

Each right contributes to the realization of a person’s human dignity, and the fulfillment of one right often depends on the fulfillment of others

Question 6

What are the human rights principles of participation and inclusion?

Answer 6

All people have the right to participate in and access information relating to decision-making processes that affect their well-being

Question 7

What are the human rights principles of accountability and the law?

Answer 7

States and other duty-bearers are answerable for the observance of human rights

Question 8

What document defined human rights in the modern era? Who was involved? When was it signed?

Answer 8

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)* - spearheaded by Human Rights Commission, drafted by representatives from all regions in the world, signed in 1948

Question 9

What are the two broad groups/classifications of human rights in the UDHR?

Answer 9

Civil and political rights (e.g. right to assemble) vs. Social, economic, and cultural rights (e.g. right to education)

Question 10

What is the difference between collective and individual rights?

Answer 10

Collective rights are the recognition and protection of an individual rights as members of a group (e.g. an ethnic minority). We can ensure individual rights by pursuing collective rights.

Question 11

What is the difference between immediate and progressive rights?

Answer 11

Immediate rights are essential to life and thus should take effect immediately; these are civil and political rights (e.g. the right to free speech and assembly). Progressive rights (social, economic, cultural) tend to involve more resources (e.g. the right to education and healthcare).

Question 12

How many articles are included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)?

Answer 12

30

Question 13

Which nations have endorsed the UDHR? Which nations are legally bound by the UDHR?

Answer 13

All nations have endorsed the UDHR. Because the UDHR is a DOCUMENT and not a TREATY, nations are not legally bound by their endorsement.

Question 14

During the Cold War, how did the Western and Eastern Blocs differ in terms of their view on human rights?

Answer 14

The Western Bloc prioritized civil and political rights, while the Eastern block prioritized economic/social/cultural rights

Question 15

What does the International Convenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) focus on?

Answer 15

The “negative” rights - i.e. what government authorities are not supposed to take away - e.g. right to speech, vote, freedom of religion and expression

Question 16

What does the International Covenant of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) focus on?

Answer 16

Food, education, health, shelter - how gov’t should ensure to help us reach full potential

Question 17

How many treaties has the U.N. adopted? Name one example.

Answer 17

More than 20, e.g. the Covenants of the International Bill of Human Rights

Question 18

As opposed to “declarations”, covenants, charters, conventions and treaties are all ____ ______

Answer 18

Legally binding

Question 19

What is the term for the formal process by which a country agrees to be bound by terms of a treaty?

Answer 19

Ratification

Question 20

What is the term for the exception that countries make to a treaty (i.e. provisions of the treaty that the government does not accept)?

Answer 20

Reservation

Question 21

Name the 3 components of the U.N.’s International Human Rights System.

Answer 21

Office of the High Commissioner for Human rights (lead coordinator), Human Rights Council (reviews status of human rights worldwide), Treaty-monitoring bodies (committees that enforce treaties)

Question 22

How many core treaties and monitoring bodies are there in the U.N.? What do they cover?

Answer 22

There are 9 nine core treaties - each focuses on a vulnerable population (e.g. Children) or human rights issue (e.g. Convention on Torture)

Question 23

The core treaties also come with ____ protocols

Answer 23

optional

Question 24

At the country level, governments have the obligation to ____, ______, and ____ human rights.

Answer 24

Respect, protect, and fulfill

Question 25

Name one example of how a gov’t can RESPECT human rights

Answer 25

• Create constitutional guarantees of human rights
• Provide ways for people who have suffered human rights violations to seek legal remedies
• Be parties to international human rights treaties

Question 26

Name one example of how a gov’t can PROTECT human rights

Answer 26

*Prosecute perpetrators of human rights violations

Question 27

Name of example of how a gov’t can FULFILL human rights.

Answer 27

• Provide public education and public-defender

* Ensure access to food for all

Question 28

____ ____ are the people responsible for ensuring are rights are fulfilled

Answer 28

Duty bearers

Question 29

What is the term for the belief that there is no moral truth that applies to all peoples at all times since there are no absolute moral standards or judgment?

Answer 29

Cultural relativism

Question 30

The opposite of cultural relativism is _____

Answer 30

Universalism

Question 31

How do rights become law in the U.S.?

Answer 31

Treaty drafted, signed by POTUS, passed by Senate majority, sent to U.N., then implemented in U.S. law

Question 32

___ and ___ rights are emphasized in the U.S. Constitution

Answer 32

Civil and political

Question 33

Which historical event prompted the U.S.’s lopsided approach to human rights and withdrawal from the international human rights system?

Answer 33

The Cold War

Question 34

Which of the 9 treaties has the U.S. ratified?

Answer 34

The U.S. has signed 7 treaties (thus expressing intent to ratify them in the future), but has only ratified 3: Civil/Political Rights, Racial Discrimination, Torture

Question 35

What are the U.S. Reservations to the ratified treaties?

Answer 35

U.S. does not agree to introduce any new laws or commit to any actions to ensure the treaties are upheld

Question 36

What comprises the International Bill of Rights?

Answer 36

The UDHR, the ICCPR, and the ICESCR

Question 37

What are the two bodies of law in the U.S. that house human rights?

Answer 37

The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights

Question 38

What is American Exceptionalism regarding human rights?

Answer 38

The fact that the U.S. has ratified only 3 out of 9 core international human rights treaties.