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HUMAN RIGHTS IN PRACTICE Global Issues Unit Lesson 2
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Objectives Review major international hr law. Evaluate the role various organizations play in promoting and protecting human rights. Identify opinion of US HR policy.
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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 - International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights ICESCR - International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights Conventions against Torture Refugees Racial Discrimination Women Children
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Think-Pair-Share Is it really reasonable to try to give the same rights to everyone in the world? Why/why not?
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Debating Human Rights Law Sets govt responsibilities Improve quality of life Establishes ideal to strive for All talk – no reality Imposition Western ideals Many accept, few implement Major nations don’t ratify (binding) HRC is hypocritical and ineffective PROSCONS
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Making Rights a Reality How can they protect/promote hr?Limits or shortcomings? National Govts Guidelines for domestic laws; guide econ & social policy within nation Sovereignty issues; can interpret & even limit laws; hard to put into practice; limited resources in poor countries; tool of foreign policy The UN Internatl Cts NGOs
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Making Rights a Reality How can they protect/promote hr?Limits or shortcomings? National Govts The UNHRC sets standards; monitors & investigates conditions (sanction/intervene); special agencies for hr issues & aid Slow to work; fails to achieve goals; can’t enforce resolutions Internatl Cts NGOs
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Making Rights a Reality How can they protect/promote hr?Limits or shortcomings? National Govts The UN Internatl Cts Strengthen enforcement: ICJ/World Ct – tries countries ICC – tries individuals R-I-C-U refuse to join ICC; unbalanced prosecution; disrupt efforts in conflict areas NGOs
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Making Rights a Reality How can they protect/promote hr?Limits or shortcomings? National Govts The UN Internatl Cts NGOsLobby govts; educate ppl; support victims; take legal action Authority; involvement w/local populations; funding
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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
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Globalization & Human Rights Economic Challenges Migrant workers MNC’s vs. Govts Indigenous rights Environmental Challenges Environmental equity Resource scarcity Water “Practices of individuals & governments influence living standards and human rights conditions of other people around the world.” Competing Visions of Human Rights – Choices.edu
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Paradox (Contradiction) of US HR Policy World leader for HR, but places own interests above HR agreements & standards Examples Supported govts that abuse rights for poly/econ/security reasons Protects its 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!)
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Video- Human Rights Video
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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.
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Closure In your own life and experiences, do you or people you know have the rights and protections contained in the UDHR?
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Homework
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