1. Human Rights in Practice Global Issues Unit Lesson 2

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.

3. 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 - Intl Cov on Civil & Political Rights ICESCR – Intl Cov on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights Conventions  Against Torture  For Refugees  Against Racial Discrimination  For Women  For Children

4. Think-Pair-Share Is it really reasonable to try to give the same rights to everyone in the world? Why/why not?

5. Debating Human Rights Law PROS Sets govt responsibilities Improve quality of life Establishes ideal to strive for CONS All talk – no reality Imposition Western ideals Many accept, few implement Major nations don’t ratify (binding) HRC is hypocritical and ineffective

6. Making Rights a Reality Major Stakeholders? National Governments The UN International Cts NGOs Role ? How can each protect/promote? What are their limitations?

7. How has globalization affected HR? Economic Challenges  Migrant workers  MNC’s vs. Govts  Indigenous rights Environmental Challenges  Environmental equity  Resource scarcity  Water Geopolitical Challenges  Spread Western Values  Clashing Interests  Conflict Other?

8. 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

9. Paradox (Contradiction) of US HR Policy World leader for HR, but place own interests above HR agreements & standards  Examples:  Support govts that abuse rights for poly/econ/security reasons  Protect 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!)

10. Video- Human Rights Video

11. 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.