2.2.3: Global Governance: Option C – Human
Rights
1.a There is global variation in human rights norms.
➢ What is meant by human rights?
• Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are
entitled.
• Applicable at all times, in all places, protect everyone equally without
discrimination.
• UN office states: “Human rights are inherent to all human beingings, whatever
our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour,
religion. Language. Or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our
human rights without discrimination”.
• Definitions and understanding are derived from the Universal Declaration of
Human rights (UDHR): https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-
of-human-rights
• Violation of human rights have occurred in many parts of the world
• Globalisation has both helped and hindered equal human rights
• Geographic patterns of socio-economic inequality are closely associated with
inequalities in human rights.
, ➢ Understand the terms of norms, intervention, and
geopolitics, and how they arere fundamental in
appreciating that human rights are a complex issue.
❖ Human rights norms
• This means how ways of living have been inculcated (instil, become a
habit), into a country a long time.
• Forms the foundation of human rights – “what is normal in that country?” –
this can be linked to cultures and religions.
• The human rights set out by the UDHR, are generally accepted as
international human rights norms. Human rights are protected by
international law.
• Governments who sign international treaties, therefore have an obligation
to put measures in place to ensure conditions of the treaty are met.
• There are an increasing number of human right norms and treaties etc.
• One example is the UN convention on the rights of the child
o Focusses on ensuring children’s rights.
o Even with conventions like this, which are signed by governments
worldwide, there are still significant variations in deaths in young
children.
o Big range in infant mortality rate.
o UN believes that if a country isn’t doing all it can to minimise infant
deaths, it is not meeting legal and moral obligations.
o IMR becomes a human rights concern.
❖ Intervention
• Intervening in countries to end violation of fundamental human
rights.
Rights
1.a There is global variation in human rights norms.
➢ What is meant by human rights?
• Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are
entitled.
• Applicable at all times, in all places, protect everyone equally without
discrimination.
• UN office states: “Human rights are inherent to all human beingings, whatever
our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour,
religion. Language. Or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our
human rights without discrimination”.
• Definitions and understanding are derived from the Universal Declaration of
Human rights (UDHR): https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-
of-human-rights
• Violation of human rights have occurred in many parts of the world
• Globalisation has both helped and hindered equal human rights
• Geographic patterns of socio-economic inequality are closely associated with
inequalities in human rights.
, ➢ Understand the terms of norms, intervention, and
geopolitics, and how they arere fundamental in
appreciating that human rights are a complex issue.
❖ Human rights norms
• This means how ways of living have been inculcated (instil, become a
habit), into a country a long time.
• Forms the foundation of human rights – “what is normal in that country?” –
this can be linked to cultures and religions.
• The human rights set out by the UDHR, are generally accepted as
international human rights norms. Human rights are protected by
international law.
• Governments who sign international treaties, therefore have an obligation
to put measures in place to ensure conditions of the treaty are met.
• There are an increasing number of human right norms and treaties etc.
• One example is the UN convention on the rights of the child
o Focusses on ensuring children’s rights.
o Even with conventions like this, which are signed by governments
worldwide, there are still significant variations in deaths in young
children.
o Big range in infant mortality rate.
o UN believes that if a country isn’t doing all it can to minimise infant
deaths, it is not meeting legal and moral obligations.
o IMR becomes a human rights concern.
❖ Intervention
• Intervening in countries to end violation of fundamental human
rights.
