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HUMAN RIGHTS IN PRACTICE
Global Issues Unit Lesson 2
Objectives
Review major international hr law. Evaluate the role various organizations
play in promoting and protecting human rights.
Identify opinion of US HR policy.
Warm Up
What are the 3 HR laws that make up the International “Bill of Rights”?
What other groups are protected under international law?
UDHR - Universal Declaration of Human Rights
ICCPR - International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights
ICESCR - International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
Conventions against Torture Refugees Racial Discrimination Women Children
Think-Pair-Share
Is it really reasonable to try to give the same rights to everyone in the world? Why/why not?
Debating Human Rights Law
Sets govt responsibilities
Improve quality of life
Establishes ideal to strive for
All talk – no reality Imposition Western
ideals Many accept, few
implement Major nations don’t
ratify (binding) HRC is hypocritical
and ineffective
PROS CONS
Making Rights a Reality
How can they protect/promote hr?
Limits or shortcomings?
National Govts
Guidelines for domestic laws; guide econ & social policy within nation
Sovereignty issues; can interpret & even limit laws; hard to put into practice; limited resources in poor countries; tool of foreign policy
The UN
InternatlCts
NGOs
Making Rights a Reality
How can they protect/promote hr?
Limits or shortcomings?
National Govts
The UN HRC sets standards; monitors & investigates conditions (sanction/intervene); special agencies for hr issues & aid
Slow to work; fails to achieve goals; can’t enforce resolutions
InternatlCts
NGOs
Making Rights a Reality
How can they protect/promote hr?
Limits or shortcomings?
National Govts
The UN
InternatlCts
Strengthen enforcement: ICJ/World Ct – tries countriesICC – tries individuals
R-I-C-U refuse to join ICC; unbalanced prosecution; disrupt efforts in conflict areas
NGOs
Making Rights a Reality
How can they protect/promote hr?
Limits or shortcomings?
National Govts
The UN
InternatlCts
NGOs Lobby govts; educate ppl; support victims; take legal action
Authority; involvement w/local populations; funding
HR Groups
Identify a human rights related NGO. Private, non-profit
orgs with specific public policy interest.
Human Rights Watch Amnesty Internatl Oxfam Internatl American Red Cross
International Red Crescent
Dr’s Without Borders Polaris Project
Globalization & Human Rights
Economic Challenges Migrant workers MNC’s vs. Govts Indigenous rights
Environmental Challenges Environmental equity Resource scarcity Water
“Practices of individuals & governments influence living standards and human rights conditions of other people around the world.” Competing Visions of
Human Rights – Choices.edu
Paradox (Contradiction) of US HR Policy
World leader for HR, but places own interests above HR agreements & standards
Examples Supported govts that abuse rights for poly/econ/security
reasons Protects its own sovereignty while intruding on others Slow to ratify Child/Women…no support ICC
US Abuses – Discrimination in ct system, use of capital punishment, enhanced interrogation & treatment terror POWs (lack health care was internatl concern until recently- now US concern!)
Video-
Human Rights Video
Activity –
1 = Strongly Support
2 = Support
3 = Neutral/ No Opinion
4 = Oppose
5 = Strongly Oppose
Human rights are not universal. The US should respect other cultures’ interpretations of human rights.
Human rights can only be addressed through international cooperation.
The US should improve its own track record on human rights.
Promoting human rights should be the US’ most important foreign policy.
The US should promote economic, social, and cultural rights as actively as it supports civil & political rights.
The US has a moral obligation to try to stop injustices around the globe.
Human rights violations abroad will eventually affect US interests and security.
Closure
In your own life and experiences, do you or people you know have the rights and protections contained in the UDHR?
Homework
