1. Why we need human rights…

2. The horrors of the second World War, concentration and death camps etc, led to an international organisation being set up to protect the rights of humans. The United Nations adopted the ‘Universal Declaration on Human Rights’ which - although not legally binding - sought to establish basic rights including:

3. UN Declaration (includes)… The right to life The right to life Freedom from torture or degrading treatment or punishment Freedom from torture or degrading treatment or punishment Freedom from slavery, servitude and forced labour Freedom from slavery, servitude and forced labour Right to free movement Right to free movement Right to food and shelter Right to food and shelter

4. Europe - ECHR  Europe wanted a greater recognition of human  Europe wanted a greater recognition of human rights - so in 1950 established the ‘European rights - so in 1950 established the ‘European Convention on Human Rights’ - a treaty and a Convention on Human Rights’ - a treaty and a Court of ECHR. Court of ECHR.  However, its impact was limited in the UK  However, its impact was limited in the UK because international treaties signed by Govt because international treaties signed by Govt Ministers do not automatically become part of Ministers do not automatically become part of our domestic law (unlike say France). our domestic law (unlike say France).

5. Europe ECHR … From 1966 the Government allowed citizens to complain to the European Court of Human Rights - it was not until the Human Rights Act of 1998 (put into force in October 2000) that a British citizen could rely on the treaty in Court. From 1966 the Government allowed citizens to complain to the European Court of Human Rights - it was not until the Human Rights Act of 1998 (put into force in October 2000) that a British citizen could rely on the treaty in Court. However, this Human Rights protection is only against the state - it is not related to private organisations (but Courts must interpret laws in accord with Human Rights). However, this Human Rights protection is only against the state - it is not related to private organisations (but Courts must interpret laws in accord with Human Rights).

6. Criticisms … Some Asian Leaders - Subarro and Lee Some Asian Leaders - Subarro and Lee Kuan Yew - have criticised the idea of universal human rights as being Eurocentric, I.e. ignoring the cultural and historical differences of other societies. Do you agree? Kuan Yew - have criticised the idea of universal human rights as being Eurocentric, I.e. ignoring the cultural and historical differences of other societies. Do you agree?

7. Freedom of religion Saudi Arabia objected to the 1948 UN declaration stating that it should be free to Saudi Arabia objected to the 1948 UN declaration stating that it should be free to punish apostasy (the abandoning of religious faith). Should countries - on religious grounds – be able to force women to cover up their bodies? Men to grow beards? Should countries - on religious grounds – be able to force women to cover up their bodies? Men to grow beards?

8. Using business to affect human rights Possibly the best example of how citizens have used business pressures to force governments to respect human rights was that of South Africa (do not buy South African goods because of its Apartheid policy). Possibly the best example of how citizens have used business pressures to force governments to respect human rights was that of South Africa (do not buy South African goods because of its Apartheid policy).

9. UN Charter and torture … Can you give examples of torture? Can you give examples of torture? Does the UN Charter prevent it? Does the UN Charter prevent it? Does it help to prevent to discourage it? Does it help to prevent to discourage it? How? How? What does Amnesty International do? What does Amnesty International do? How does Amnesty International relate to How does Amnesty International relate to Global Citizenship? Global Citizenship?