Overview
1- The edifice of modern international human rights is built upon the ashes of World War II, in the aftermath of which the world pledged “never again.” Never again would the plight of human beings be ignored; never again would the violation of human rights be allowed and a world wherein power would pay tribute to human dignity would become the norm. However, a year has passed since Russian forces waged an allegedly illegal war in Ukraine which has resulted in the deaths of thousands and the displacement of millions; the Chinese government continues to commit genocide in the semiautonomous region of Xinjiang; a genocide has been committed against the Rohingya people in Myanmar and people in various parts of the world are subject to horrendous human rights violations. Keeping the above examples in mind, are the principles of human rights as enshrined in the International Bill of Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights + the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights + the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) mere ideals which can never be attained? Or has the concept of human rights made a difference in the world we reside in? Please supplement your answer with examples.
2- For cultural relativists, human rights are a Eurocentric construct to suppress Indigenous cultures and traditions. For Universalists, culture is at times used to violate the human rights of individuals. In your opinion, with reference to specific cases, are modern day human rights a new form of colonialism or are local practices and cultures occasionally used as an excuse to suppress human rights? Is there a balance to be found, especially in a “multicultural” country such as Canada?
3- The Tehran Declaration (1966) states: “Since human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible, the full realization of civil and political rights without the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights is impossible.” In other words, it is argued that all human rights are equal and the achievement 3 of one set of rights (hint: generations of rights), depends on the achievement of another set of rights. Relying upon pertinent examples, do you agree with the assertion that all human rights are equal in theory and in practice? Or are rights hierarchical, i.e., some being more equal than others?