Human Rights

April 17, 20132013 – 1st semesterYoung Leaders &

International Organizations

Organized by Saori Kakihara

Overview

Human rights are the universal rights and freedoms that all human beings are equally and absolutely entitled to.

What are some of the basic human rights?

The right to life, to food and clean water, the right to a fair trial etc.

In 1948, the UN created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Human rights

As seen in the UN Declaration, there are many different kinds of human rights.

Human rights can also be defined based on membership in a group, such as gender, race, age or social class.

Example: Women’s Rights

An important issue within this topic is the violation of human rights. There are countless situations across the world, both past and present where human rights are being violated.

Examples: Darfur, Burma, Human Trafficking

List of Human Rights

Right to privacy

Right to live, exist

Right to have a family

To own property

Free Speech

Safety from violence

Equality of both males and females – Women’s rights

Fair trial

To be considered innocent until proven guilty

To be a citizen of a country

To be recognized as a person

The right to express his or her sexual orientation

To vote

To seek asylum if a country treats you badly

To think freely

To believe and practice the religion a person wants

Education

Health care (medical care)

To communicate through a language

Not be forced into marriage

Human Trafficking

The right to love

The right to work

The right to express oneself

Women’s Rights

Title IX - No person in the United States shall on the basis of sex, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance

This includes athletics, drama, band and any other extracurricular activities

It applies to any educational institution that receives federal funds, whether the school is public or private.

It does not necessarily require the same amount of money to be given to each, just the same benefits and equal quality, based on participation.

Women’s Rights

1995 – 189 countries sign the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – an agenda for women’s empowerment

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Signed by the US, but not ratified, the only developed country to not do so.

Unsigned: Iran, Nauru, Palau, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, and Tonga

Why Not? Some conservative, right-wing groups oppose ratification because it supports ”equal access to health care, including those related to family planning.”

Do you think the US should ratify or not?

Human Rights Violations

Darfur

Burma (Myanmar)

Human Trafficking

Darfur – Overview(Human Rights Violations)

Conflict in Darfur: The Sudanese military & the Janjaweed (Arab speaking, Black Africans) in conflict with rebel groups from Darfur (like The Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army-SLA and the Justice Equality Movement-JEM)

February 2003 – rebellion began against the Sudanese government because the Darfuri felt neglected and oppressed

The government responded by supporting and sending the Janjaweed to break the rebellion which has resulted in the killing, raping, looting and burning

Darfur(Human Rights Violations)

Economic conflict-based on competition for resources like land and water, caused by drought, desertification and overpopulation

Political conflict-some groups feel marginalized

Ethnic conflict-certain ethnic groups, like non-Arab Africans are specifically being targeted

Darfur (Human Rights Violations)

Multiple attempts at peace talks, cease-fires and peace agreements

Estimated 400,000 killed

2.5 million displaced

Possible 1 million deaths possible from starvation and disease

Discussion:

What should be done to help? The United Nations? The United States? As individuals?

How does this situation compare to comparable situations from history like in Rwanda or during the Holocaust? How is it different?

Burma (Myanmar)Human Rights Violations

Gained independence from Britain in 1948

1962 – General Ne win gained control and established Burmese socialism, impoverishing the country for 26 years

1987 – Ne win overthrown by Burmese Socialist Program Party

Pro-democracy demonstrations held but were oppressed, thousands of demonstrators killed.

The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) was put in place until elections could be held

National League for Democracy (NLD) won over the SLORC, but the results were overturned and the SLORC remained in power

NLD members were imprisoned

Burma (Myanmar)Human Rights Violations

The SLORC, now renamed the State Peace and Development Council SPDC continues to rule

Known as one of the most repressive and abusive regimes, violating countless human rights including

Forced labor Extra-judicial Killing, Summary or Arbitrary Execution Arbitrary Detention Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading

Treatment or Punishment Deprivation of Livelihood

Burma (Myanmar)

Discussion:

Based on the human rights violations mentioned before, what is your opinion about the situation in Burma (Myanmar)?

Human TraffickingHuman Rights Violations

The recruitment, transportation, harbouring, or receipt of people for the purposes of slavery, forced labor and servitude

“Recruited” through force, deception and outright abduction

The fastest growing criminal industry in the world

Often the focus is on sex trafficking

In the US, about 10,000 forced laborers, often in the domestic sector

Human RightsDiscussion Questions:

Is it really reasonable to try to give the same rights to everyone in the world?

Why or why not?

Which of the human rights do you personally think is the most important?

Thank you!