Global Citizenship | Human rights

Welcome to your study notes for Global Citizenship! This chapter is incredibly important because it deals with the absolute core principles of how we live together on Earth: Human Rights.

As you study Politics and Governance, understanding human rights helps you analyze how effective governments are and how international law protects people, even when their own state fails them. Don't worry if this seems like a massive topic; we will break it down into clear, manageable steps!

1. Defining Human Rights and the UDHR

What are Human Rights?

Human rights are the basic standards and protections that belong to every single person simply because they are human. They are the fundamental rules for treating people decently.

• Universal: They apply to everyone, everywhere, regardless of nationality, gender, race, religion, or any other status.
• Inherent: They are part of you; they cannot be granted or taken away (though they can be violated).
• Interdependent: All rights are equally important and rely on each other. If you don't have the right to food, your right to life is threatened.

Analogy: Think of human rights as the standard instruction manual for treating any human being. No matter where the human came from, the instructions remain the same.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is the foundational document for modern human rights law.

• Origin: Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, right after World War II.
• Purpose: It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
• Content: It contains 30 articles covering a vast range of rights, from the right to life to the right to rest and leisure.

Did You Know? Although the UDHR is not a legally binding treaty (it’s a declaration), its principles have been incorporated into the laws and constitutions of most countries in the world, giving it immense moral and political authority.

2. The Nature and Types of Human Rights

For ease of understanding and historical context, human rights are often grouped into categories. The syllabus requires you to know two main types, often referred to as 'Generations' of rights:

A. Civil and Political Rights (CPR)

These rights protect individual freedom from oppressive governments and ensure the right to participate in governance. They often require the government not to interfere.

Focus: Liberty and Participation.

• Civil Rights: Protect the person's physical and mental integrity, freedom of movement, and protection from harm.
  • Examples: The right to life, freedom from torture, freedom from slavery, the right to a fair trial.
• Political Rights: Ensure the ability of citizens to participate in political life.
  • Examples: Freedom of assembly (meeting peacefully), freedom of speech/expression, the right to vote and run for office.

B. Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ESCR)

These rights relate to the standards of living, quality of life, and the protection of identity. They often require the government to take action (provide services or resources).

Focus: Equality and Basic Needs.

• Economic Rights: Rights related to money and work.
  • Examples: The right to work, the right to fair wages, the right to form trade unions.
• Social Rights: Rights related to security and living standards.
  • Examples: The right to adequate housing, the right to healthcare, the right to social security (support if unemployed or sick).
• Cultural Rights: Rights related to identity and community life.
  • Examples: The right to education, the right to participate in cultural life, and protection of minority languages.

Memory Trick: Civil and Political rights often start with "Freedom from..." or "Freedom to..." (e.g., freedom of speech). E S C rights often start with "Right to..." (e.g., right to education, right to health).

3. Human Rights in Practice: Challenges and Interventions

The global application of human rights is challenging, especially when politics, culture, and conflict are involved.

A. Differing Cultural Interpretations

While the idea that all humans have dignity is universal, there can be disagreements (often called cultural relativism) about how specific rights should be applied in different societies.

• The Challenge: Some argue that human rights norms developed primarily in the West clash with traditional or religious values in other parts of the world.
  • Example: Debates exist over the interpretation of women's rights or freedom of religion, where traditional cultural norms may restrict the freedoms defined in the UDHR.
• The Citizenship View: As global citizens, we must recognize different perspectives, but the core principle is that cultural practices should never be used to violate the fundamental, minimum rights guaranteed by the UDHR (e.g., freedom from torture or slavery).

B. Human Rights During Conflict

Conflict situations (like civil wars or international wars) are where human rights are most severely tested and violated. The laws governing conflict are known as International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which demands that even during war, certain rules must be followed (e.g., targeting only combatants, treating prisoners humanely).

C. Humanitarian Intervention and Peacekeeping

When a state is systematically violating the rights of its own people (mass atrocities, genocide), the international community may consider action.

1. Humanitarian Intervention

This occurs when one or more states use military force within another country to stop large-scale human rights violations. This is a very controversial step because it challenges the sovereignty (the right of a country to govern itself without outside interference) of the targeted state.

• The Dilemma: Does the global responsibility to protect human life outweigh a state’s sovereignty?

2. Peacekeeping

These are actions, usually undertaken by the UN, deployed to maintain peace and security. Peacekeepers (often military personnel from various member states) are usually deployed after a conflict or to monitor a fragile ceasefire.

• Role: They aim to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian aid, and support political processes (like elections or disarmament).

Key Takeaway: International law tries to protect rights during conflict, but deciding whether to intervene politically or militarily is one of the most difficult challenges for global governance.

4. Duties of Citizens

Understanding politics and governance isn't just about what the state owes you (your rights); it’s also about what you owe to society. Rights and responsibilities go hand-in-hand.

The Two Core Duties of a Citizen

Your freedom is protected, but your rights are not absolute. They must be exercised in a way that respects the rights and freedoms of others.

1. Duty to Respect the Rights and Freedoms of Others

This is the social responsibility that makes society functional. For example:

• You have the right to freedom of expression, but you have the duty not to use that expression to incite violence against another person's religion or race.
• You have the right to peaceful assembly, but you have the duty not to block vital services or trespass on private property, thereby violating the rights of others to movement or property.

2. Duty to Respect the Law

The law often exists specifically to protect human rights. A citizen has a duty to respect the laws established by the state, provided those laws themselves are legitimate and do not violate fundamental human rights.

• Example: Obeying traffic laws (which protect the right to life and safety) or paying taxes (which fund essential social rights like healthcare and education).

Common Mistake to Avoid: Students sometimes think rights are automatic and without limits. Remember: your rights are always limited by the need to ensure others can enjoy their rights too.