Introduction to Human Rights Human rights concerns are a relatively recent phenomena State sovereignty and state centric model responsible for lack of concern about HR Rise of inter-governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations More awareness of human rights violations

Sources of Human Rights Magna Carta 1215 English Bill of Rights 1689 US Declaration of Independence 1776 US Constitution and Bill of Rights Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen Emancipation Proclamation 1863 Geneva Conventions and Red Cross

United Nations Documents UN Charter Universal Declaration of Human Rights International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Optional Protocol International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide Convention Against Torture

Human Rights Actors International Governmental Organizations (IGO’s) UN organizations like ECOSOC, UNESCO, UNCHR, ILO UN General Assembly has broad powers to make recommendations on human rights ECOSOC coordinates role of specialized agencies of the UN

NGO’s Plethora of non-governmental organizations that deal with human rights International League for Human Rights Developed during WW II Relatively small organization with good connections with Western governments Worked closely with Carter Administration in its human rights policies Critics charge it is an instrument of US policy

World Peace Movement Associated with world socialist movement Attempted to build a mass movement devoted to defeating imperialism and building world peace Solidarity with national liberation movements in the Third World Closely associated with former Soviet Union Well-known participants include Martin Luther King, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Yassir Arafat, Hortensia Allende

Amnesty International Founded in London in 1961 Best known and most respected HR organization Credibility of AI dependent on independence from all governments and international organizations Works to defend freedom of speech, freedom of religion, Local organizational base with volunteers who write letters on individual cases

Regional Organizations Western European Commission on Human Rights and Court of Justice on Human Rights Individuals can bring suit against governments for HR violations Defendants must exhaust domestic remedies British practices in dealing with terrorism in Northern Ireland criticized.

National States (US experience) American activism on human rights violations during Vietnam War Campaign against discrimination against Soviet Jews in 70’s Military dictatorships in Latin America led to criticism of US policy Foreign Assistance Act 1974 required end to US aid to countries with gross violations of human rights

Carter Administration elevation of HR to a high level of concern Concern about policy issues like child labor, rights of refugees, violence against women