10.3.1

Human Rights

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Human Rights

Human rights have become important aspects of both international law and international agreements.

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What are human rights?

  • Human rights are moral principles that give standards for human behaviour.
  • They are inherent in all human beings regardless of their nation, location, language, religion or ethnic origin.
  • They are universal in the sense of being applicable everywhere.
  • They are egalitarian in the sense of being the same for everyone.
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Disregard for human rights

  • A disregard for human rights has led to ‘barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind’ (UDHR).
    • E.g. The Holocaust during WW2.
    • E.g. Beheadings by IS jihadists in Syria.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international agreement on human rights.

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The UDHR background

  • The UDHR was agreed in 1948 by 48 countries of the UN.
  • Some countries abstained at the time, including the Soviet Union, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
  • The UDHR sets out 30 universal rights ranging from freedom of speech and movement to education and justice.
  • Torture is also banned.
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Legality

  • The UDHR is not legally binding.
    • It is a declaration, not a treaty.
  • Violations of the UDHR have been used to justify a number of military interventions.
  • The promise of economic aid has also been used as a lever to persuade countries to improve their human rights record.

Other Human Rights Agreements

Apart from the UDHR, there are other international agreements on human rights.

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ECHR

  • The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is similar to the UDHR, drafted by the Council of Europe.
  • Its aims were to prevent conflict such as that experienced twice in the 20th century within Europe (the world wars).
  • The principles of the ECHR were integrated into the UK by the Human Rights Act (HRA) in 1998.
  • The ECHR and HRA are both seen by some as an erosion of national sovereignty, especially during the recent Brexit debate in the UK.
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The Geneva Convention

  • The Geneva Convention forms a basis in international law for prosecuting individuals and organisations who commit war crimes.
  • It is endorsed by 196 countries.
  • But, few cases have ever come to trial.
  • Over 150 countries continue to engage in some form of torture.

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

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