8.2.4 Global Human Rights
Completion requirements
8.2.4 Human Rights around the World
How should I respond to globalization?
Young girls transfer cotton yarn to bobbins used in hand looms
Kenneth Macleish/National Geographic Stock
Kenneth Macleish/National Geographic Stock
What about human rights in the remainder of the world? According to Amnesty International, very few nations are without human rights abuses.
In some countries, the average person has very few guaranteed rights. Brutal dictatorships are the cause of repression. In these nations, people have little legal recourse when their rights are denied.
In other more democratic developing countries, desperation for economic success leads to the denial of human rights. Children may be forced to labour to provide income for families. Women are forced into prostitution to survive. Others may turn to crime, sell prohibited goods, or even sell their own body parts just to live. In other countries, centuries of tradition have led to discrimination against women and minority groups.
Student Case Studies: The case study below, produced by a Social Studies 10 student, gives an overview human rights abuses in Ethiopia.
In some countries, the average person has very few guaranteed rights. Brutal dictatorships are the cause of repression. In these nations, people have little legal recourse when their rights are denied.
In other more democratic developing countries, desperation for economic success leads to the denial of human rights. Children may be forced to labour to provide income for families. Women are forced into prostitution to survive. Others may turn to crime, sell prohibited goods, or even sell their own body parts just to live. In other countries, centuries of tradition have led to discrimination against women and minority groups.
Student Case Studies: The case study below, produced by a Social Studies 10 student, gives an overview human rights abuses in Ethiopia.
Detainees in Guantanamo Bay
Courtesy of Shane T. McCoy, U.S. Navy
Courtesy of Shane T. McCoy, U.S. Navy
Reflect
How should Canadians respond when another nation suspends the rights of its people? Do Canadians have any role when children are beaten or women are mistreated in another nation? Whose job is it to support the mistreated? These questions have no easy answers, but in our globalizing world, we can hope that every society can learn to accept the inherent dignity of every individual.
International bodies have been formed to protect human rights. However, no international law can enforce such rights. Two international bodies that deal with widespread human rights issues for issues such as war crimes are
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International Criminal Court
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International Court of Justice
These bodies are not recognized by all governments around the world. Several non-democratic nations and the democratic United States do not recognize that these bodies have any authority over them.
Digging Deeper
Several international organizations monitor human rights abuses. They check and report independently on violations of human rights through their branches located around the world. Their reports are made public and are intended to encourage individuals and governments to take action.