Chapter 28.3 Democracy and Human Rights

Standards for Human Rights Human rights are basic rights that all people should enjoy, including the right to safety, food and shelter. These rights lie at the heart of the U.S. political system. Yet many gov’ts still imprison and abuse people for speaking their minds. Other have been charged with sponsoring terrorist acts outside their borders. Human rights are basic rights that all people should enjoy, including the right to safety, food and shelter. These rights lie at the heart of the U.S. political system. Yet many gov’ts still imprison and abuse people for speaking their minds. Other have been charged with sponsoring terrorist acts outside their borders.

continued In 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It proclaims that “all human beings are born equal in dignity and rights.” Articles 3 to 21 list many rights protected in the U.S. Constitution plus others, such as freedom of movement, right to seek asylum, right to nationality, right to marry and right to own property. In 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It proclaims that “all human beings are born equal in dignity and rights.” Articles 3 to 21 list many rights protected in the U.S. Constitution plus others, such as freedom of movement, right to seek asylum, right to nationality, right to marry and right to own property.

continued Articles 22 to 27 spell out economic, social and civil rights, including the right to social security, right to work, right to an adequate standard of living and right to education. Articles 28 to 30 state that all people should be free to enjoy these rights. Articles 22 to 27 spell out economic, social and civil rights, including the right to social security, right to work, right to an adequate standard of living and right to education. Articles 28 to 30 state that all people should be free to enjoy these rights.

continued The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights oversees UN’s human rights programs. The commission reports rights violations, hoping that drawing attention to these abuses will bring pressure to halt them. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights oversees UN’s human rights programs. The commission reports rights violations, hoping that drawing attention to these abuses will bring pressure to halt them.

continued The UN has established international tribunals to hear cases about violations of international human rights law. Several military leaders and gov’t officials have been found guilty and punished. The UN has established international tribunals to hear cases about violations of international human rights law. Several military leaders and gov’t officials have been found guilty and punished.

continued In 1994, the Hutu-led Rwandan gov’t battled Tutsi-led guerrillas. In a genocide, or deliberate killing of a racial or cultural group, Hutu forces killed more than 500,000 people. The International Criminal Tribunal Court for Rwanda began to bring to justice people accused of participating in the genocide. In 1994, the Hutu-led Rwandan gov’t battled Tutsi-led guerrillas. In a genocide, or deliberate killing of a racial or cultural group, Hutu forces killed more than 500,000 people. The International Criminal Tribunal Court for Rwanda began to bring to justice people accused of participating in the genocide.

Spread of Democracy and Liberty Early in the 20 th century, about 12% of the world’s people lived in a democracy. By 2001 democracy had spread to nearly 60% of the world’s people in 120 countries. Early in the 20 th century, about 12% of the world’s people lived in a democracy. By 2001 democracy had spread to nearly 60% of the world’s people in 120 countries. To qualify as a democracy, a political system must at least allow the people to choose their leaders freely from among competing groups and individuals not chosen by the gov’t. To qualify as a democracy, a political system must at least allow the people to choose their leaders freely from among competing groups and individuals not chosen by the gov’t.

continued The 86 countries considered “fully free” democracies go beyond this standard. They offer a broad range of human rights, such as those stated in the Universal Declaration. The 86 countries considered “fully free” democracies go beyond this standard. They offer a broad range of human rights, such as those stated in the Universal Declaration. Of the 58 “partly free” countries, 34 met the minimal standard by holding free and fair elections. The other 24 did not meet this minimal standard. Of the 58 “partly free” countries, 34 met the minimal standard by holding free and fair elections. The other 24 did not meet this minimal standard. In the 48 countries considered not free, the gov’ts often practiced or permitted terrible violations of human rights. In the 48 countries considered not free, the gov’ts often practiced or permitted terrible violations of human rights.

continued White leaders of South Africa legalized a policy of racial separation between blacks and whites called apartheid. Blacks could not vote or own property. They could be jailed indefinitely without cause. White leaders of South Africa legalized a policy of racial separation between blacks and whites called apartheid. Blacks could not vote or own property. They could be jailed indefinitely without cause.

continued The U.S. and European countries ordered economic sanctions, or coercive measures, against South Africa. U.S. businesses began to withdraw investments. Pressures from foreign countries and the anti- apartheid movement brought a gradual end to apartheid. The U.S. and European countries ordered economic sanctions, or coercive measures, against South Africa. U.S. businesses began to withdraw investments. Pressures from foreign countries and the anti- apartheid movement brought a gradual end to apartheid.

continued Nelson Mandela, imprisoned in 1962 on charges of treason, had become a symbol of the struggle for freedom in South Africa. In 1994, South Africa held its first election open to all races, electing Mandela as the first black president. Nelson Mandela, imprisoned in 1962 on charges of treason, had become a symbol of the struggle for freedom in South Africa. In 1994, South Africa held its first election open to all races, electing Mandela as the first black president.

continued The Taliban, a strict Islamic group that ruled Afghanistan, abused the human rights of women and others. In 2001 the U.S. accused the Taliban of supporting terrorists and bombed Taliban forces. Since the collapse of the Taliban gov’t, the UN has been working with the new leaders to create a climate that protects human rights. The Taliban, a strict Islamic group that ruled Afghanistan, abused the human rights of women and others. In 2001 the U.S. accused the Taliban of supporting terrorists and bombed Taliban forces. Since the collapse of the Taliban gov’t, the UN has been working with the new leaders to create a climate that protects human rights.

continued During most of the 20 th century, spreading democracy was a main goal of the U.S. gov’t. During most of the 20 th century, spreading democracy was a main goal of the U.S. gov’t. After WWII, the Soviet Union forced the countries of Eastern Europe to become Soviet satellites – countries dominated or controlled by another more powerful country. The Soviets appeared bent on expanding their power and influence. After WWII, the Soviet Union forced the countries of Eastern Europe to become Soviet satellites – countries dominated or controlled by another more powerful country. The Soviets appeared bent on expanding their power and influence.

continued Soon the world divided into two hostile camps – free nations of the West and Communist nations. The struggle between the two sides became known as the Cold War because it involved the clash of ideas more than a clash of arms. Soon the world divided into two hostile camps – free nations of the West and Communist nations. The struggle between the two sides became known as the Cold War because it involved the clash of ideas more than a clash of arms.

continued After the collapse of Soviet totalitarianism, the U.S. promoted democracy in the former Soviet Union and former satellite countries. After the collapse of Soviet totalitarianism, the U.S. promoted democracy in the former Soviet Union and former satellite countries. In response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President Bush repeated America’s commitment to democracy around the world. In response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President Bush repeated America’s commitment to democracy around the world. Peace, prosperity and national security have a better chance of taking hold in a free and democratic world. Peace, prosperity and national security have a better chance of taking hold in a free and democratic world.