Human Rights

Defined Human rights are international norms that help to protect all people everywhere from severe political, legal, and social abuses. The philosophy of human rights addresses questions about the existence, content, nature, universality, justification, and legal status of human rights

Where did this philosophy come from? The Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you Plato and Aristotle – All men are created equal Thomas Hobbes and Jean Jacques Rousseau – Social Contract John Locke – right to life liberty and property - right to revolution John Rawls – human rights define where legitimate toleration of other countries end

Points of Contention Are human rights universal? Do they exist regardless of legislation? Do they justify moral norms? Can they be changed? Are human rights inalienable? Which rights are human rights?

The International System There are 6 main actors in the modern global system Nation States International Organizations Non-Governmental Organizations Multi-National Corporations Trans-National Groups Individuals

Nation States Independent and sovereign states co-existing under an anarchical system Dictate the rules of the international system – economic system, form international organizations (UN), host multinational corporations, exchange diplomats, sign treaties, go to war….. They dictate peace and harmony (or not)

Nation States Continued Over the last 20 years (or so) the dominance of the nation state in the international system has been minimized by several key factors Modern weaponry (terrorism) Interdependence of the global economy (EU) Environmentalism (Kyoto) Internationalization of mass media (internet)

International Organizations Formed on the consent of states, groups of NGOs, and the private association of individuals with transnational goals UN is only IGO with global membership – the rest are regional Usually formed between countries sharing a common purpose for cooperation (eg OPEC is a group of 12 member countries regulating the production, distribution, and pricing of oil) IGOs has given new meaning to the term “global village”.

The United Nations Declaration Of Human Rights (1948) http://www.un.org/rights/50/decla.htm

What is the United Nations? Organization established after WWII in 1945, to maintain peace and stability in the world through cooperation among its member countries The UN maintains peacekeeping and humanitarian missions around the world Acts as a mediator in international disputes and coordinates global initiatives on many issues

Purpose? As set forth in the Charter: To maintain international peace and security To develop friendly relations To cooperate in solving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems To promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these ends

United Nations Structure Consists of 6 councils/assemblies General Assembly Security Council Secretariat Economic and Social Council International Court of Justice Trusteeship Council