section 1 - 1A - human rights norms Flashcards
what are human rights
- basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled put in place to protect everyone equally without discrimination
when did the UN general assembly document human rights
1948
examples of humans rights
- no torture
- access to water and food
- right to life
- freedom of speech
- right to leisure
- right to legal representation
- right to be innocent until proven guilty, right to a fair trial
how many human rights are there
30
globalisation effects on human rights
- enhanced the ability of civil society to work across borders and to promote human rights
- enabled organisations to gain power and perpetrate violations
what does the term human rights norms mean?
- human rights norms represent ways of living that have been inculcated into the culture of a country or area over long periods of time
- foundations of human rights, universally accepted behaviour
- set out in the universal declaration of human rights (UDHR)
- Non binding resolution, human rights are protected by international law
international treaties
- international human right laws sets out the obligations of state governments
- by signing international treaties = duty to respect, protect and fulfil human rights
- the UN convention on the Rights of the child UNCRC signed worldwide - explains how children should be viewed and treated
despite UNCRC still varying IMR globally
2013:
- Mali: 107/1000
- chad 92/1000
- UK: 5/1000
intervention
includes the use of military force by a state or group of states in foreign territory to end violations of human rights
- specifically humanitarian intervention
intervention by the UN
- peacekeeping, political and peace building missions
- UN security council establishes a mandate and drawn from a wide range of member states
- military presence helps protect citizens from human rights abuse
- no force expect in self-defence
- co-ordinates input of organisations and agencies
which organisations does the UN co-ordinate
- regional organisations: NATO, OSCE and ASEAN
- non-governmental organisations: Red Cross ICRC and Oxfam
- public-private partnerships: Gavi Alliance
military intervention as controversial
- effective in stopping violations = short term relief and benefit
- unintended impacts: injury and death of civilians, loss of homes, and population displacement, increase of HR abuse
global governance as intervention
involve direct physical intervention and application of growing number of human rights norms, laws and treaties
what makes intervention effective
interaction and co-ordination on all scales
geopolitics
the global balance of political power and international relations
how are political and economic power interlinked
relative wealth and international trade strength of nations and groups of nations
geopolitical transitions
- geopolitical power shifting
- differences between an AC, EDC and LIDC
- supranational political and economic organisations extorting influence than individual member state: UN, EU, ASEAN & OPEC
geopolitical intervention of human rights is reliant on understanding what?
- political composition of the groups of countries and organisations involved in intervention
- nature of intervention
- reasons behind intervention
- characteristic of country and who’s effected
- consequences of intervention/ global governance
- complexity of human rights
role of ideas in geopolitics
Exchange of ideas and information at planning stages and during operation
Important for effective intervention
Talking to experts where HR are abused promotes ideas and values
Ex - amnesty, NGO
international organisations at conferences share ideas, info etc
role of technology in geopolitics
Social media increasingly help the flow of ideas and information in intervention process
ICT use - internet, mobile phones = communication
Remote sensing - satellite imagery and unmanned aircraft = surveillance in areas too inaccessible to dangerous areas
role of intervention in geopolitics
Flows of people and money affected areas require aid workers
NGO staff and uniformed personnel for peacekeeping, NATO
Funds supporting these operations, $Ms provided by member states - USA
Current UN has over 4500 uniformed personnel and access to increase $500M donated from 51 countries
