Understanding Human Rights

Learning Objective: To understand what is meant by human rights.

What are Human Rights? The Human Rights Act was established at the UN General assembly on 10th Dec 1948. The Human rights Council is an inter-governing body with the UN which is made up of 47 states who promote and protect Human Rights around the globe.

The membership The Council’s Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution. Seats are distributed as follows: African States: 13 seats Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats Western European and other States: 7 seats Eastern European States: 6 seats Watch this clip

UDHR

Definition of Human Right How would you describe Human Rights? Definition of Human Right Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. They are applicable at all times, in all places and they protect everyone equally without discrimination and regardless of nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language or any other status.

Copy the mind map and add rights where they belong by just writing the number next to it. Shade each one to identify whether it is considered a right of freedom, of justice, or of equality.

Consider the world news from today Consider the world news from today. Can you identify situations where individual human rights are being violated in different parts of the world? How far do you believe it is possible to enforce this declaration? Why doesn’t everyone enjoy the same human rights?

Since 1948, it has become evident that many of the principles set out have not been adhered to uniformly. These violations of human rights have occurred in many different parts of the world, on every continent, in ACs, EDCs and LIDCs, and on different scales form individuals to large scale groups. Can you think of any past and recent examples? Child labour? People trafficking? Modern slavery? Genocide?

https://freedomhouse. org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2015# https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2015#.WDxHPUuzKM8

Describing patterns of distribution – Remember the regional terms for global distributions Describe the general distribution of human rights issues globally. Suggest reasons for these patterns.

Maplecroft’s view of the Human Rights Risk in 197 countries and across 31 different violations Key findings: A 70% rise in ‘extreme risk’ countries since 2008 – from 20 to 34. The highest risk countries 2014 - Syria (1st), - Sudan (2nd), - DR Congo (3rd), - Pakistan (4th), - Somalia (5th), - Afghanistan (6th), - Iraq (7th), - Myanmar (8th), - Yemen (9th), - Nigeria (10th)

Causes of the change since 2008 The worst deterioration of human rights in 2008 include: Syria (ranked 1st and most at risk), Egypt (16th), Libya (19th). Emerging economies to drop into the ‘extreme risk’ category include: Nigeria (10th), India (18th), the Philippines (27th) and Indonesia (30th) Factors in the 70% increase include: repression of freedom of speech; ethnic and sectarian conflicts; a lack of worker protection; and competition for land and water between local populations. Scandinavia is the best performing region, while UK is ranked 165th and low risk.

Do any shock or surprise you?

Investigate some examples of human rights violations around the world. Since 1948, it has become evident that many of the principles set out have not been adhered to uniformly. These violations of human rights have occurred in many different parts of the world, on every continent, in ACs, EDCs and LIDCs, and on different scales form individuals to large scale groups. Can you think of any past and recent examples? Child labour? People trafficking? Modern slavery? Genocide? Investigate some examples of human rights violations around the world.