Introduction to Human Rights

1. Introduction to Human Rights • Introduction to Human Rights • Human rights concerns are a relatively recent phenomena • State sovereignty and state centric model responsible for lack of concern about HR • Rise of inter-governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations • More awareness of human rights violations

2. Sources of Human Rights • Magna Carta 1215 • English Bill of Rights 1689 • US Declaration of Independence 1776 • US Constitution and Bill of Rights • Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen • Emancipation Proclamation 1863 • Geneva Conventions and Red Cross

3. United Nations Documents • UN Charter • Universal Declaration of Human Rights • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights • Optional Protocol • International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights • Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide • Convention Against Torture

4. Human Rights Actors • International Governmental Organizations (IGO’s) • UN organizations like ECOSOC, UNESCO, UNCHR, ILO • UN General Assembly has broad powers to make recommendations on human rights • ECOSOC coordinates role of specialized agencies of the UN

5. NGO’s • Plethora of non-governmental organizations that deal with human rights • International League for Human Rights • Developed during WW II • Relatively small organization with good connections with Western governments • Worked closely with Carter Administration in its human rights policies • Critics charge it is an instrument of US policy

6. World Peace Movement • Associated with world socialist movement • Attempted to build a mass movement devoted to defeating imperialism and building world peace • Solidarity with national liberation movements in the Third World • Closely associated with former Soviet Union • Well-known participants include Martin Luther King, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Yassir Arafat, Hortensia Allende

7. Amnesty International • Founded in London in 1961 • Best known and most respected HR organization • Credibility of AI dependent on independence from all governments and international organizations • Works to defend freedom of speech, freedom of religion, • Local organizational base with volunteers who write letters on individual cases

8. RegionalOrganizations • Western European Commission on Human Rights and Court of Justice on Human Rights • Individuals can bring suit against governments for HR violations • Defendants must exhaust domestic remedies • British practices in dealing with terrorism in Northern Ireland criticized.

9. National States (US experience) • American activism on human rights violations during Vietnam War • Campaign against discrimination against Soviet Jews in 70’s • Military dictatorships in Latin America led to criticism of US policy • Foreign Assistance Act 1974 required end to US aid to countries with gross violations of human rights

10. Carter Administration elevation of HR to a high level of concern • Concern about policy issues like child labor, rights of refugees, violence against women