International Human

Rights

UNHR

Arose from the atrocities of WWII

Became central to the concept of
international law as it was
accepted by several nations
This has become part of the
International Bill of Rights

Compare and Contrast

Take a look at the United Nations

Declaration of Human Rights
(1948)

Compare and contrast with our

Charter
Similarities/Differences?

International Bill of Rights

3-part plan to implement enforceable legislation on

human rights
Proved controversial as not everyone shared the
same views on inalienable rights, so the UN divided
the bill into 2 sets that would be ratified by the
majority of nations

1. UDHR
2. Intl Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural
Rights (workers, family, health, standard of living,
culture, and education)

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CESCR.aspx

3. Intl Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (sanctity

of life,, protecting accused persons/criminals,
mobility rights, and civil rights)

http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/ccpr.aspx

Your Turn!

For each covenant, outline the top

5-7 essential articles and record
them in your notes

Why these?

Enforcement?

CESCR: Intl Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural

Rights 1. encourages the state to act
puts onus on state, $$, resources

Not seen as binding

2. States are required to submit reports

every 6 years with reasons as to why they
did not achieve their goal only
repercussion is a call out to the General
Assembly from the committee not
effective

Enforcement?

CCPR:Intl Covenant on Civil and Political Rights more

successful despite abuses still occurring
States must submit reports to UN HR
Committee (HRC) every 5 years
explaining how Civil/Political rights are
protected by the state
Reports can be submitted by HRC to
General Assembly to put pressure on
states to improve abuses become
known to international community

Enforcement - CCPR
Three Optional Protocol methods for enforcement:

1)

2)

Article 41 A state can complain to the HRC, who will

investigate and attempt a resolution (rarely used WHY?)
Individuals and NGOs can make complaints under
Resolution 1503

3)

Individuals can bring complaints against their own countries

Not investigated, but catalogued will put pressure on when

enough complaints have been lodged or gross violations
Puts pressure to avoid bad press
50 states have signed on involves the surrender of some
sovereignty over domestic affairs
While not binding, its a strong message to the country

Limitation - Cannot be made by a group + individuals

must have exhausted all domestic avenues

Critiques?

After all this, what is the method of

enforcing these documents? Other
avenues?
Western ideology vs. world?

Other
Conventions/Commissions on
Human Rights

African Commission on Human and

Peoples Rights

http://www.achpr.org/instruments/

Arab Charter on Human Rights

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?
NewsID=25447#.VmGWztIrLcs

http://www.right-to-education.org/sites/right-toeducation.org/files/resourceattachments/Revised_Arab_Charter_Human_Rights_2014_EN.
pdf

Conflicts?

We have looked at a few Charters

of Human Rights nowcontrasts?
What is the core issue with having
so many?
What factors could affect
variations on human rights? What
are the impacts?

Childrens Rights

What rights should they have?

Why?

Canada is a signatory on the UN

Committee on the Rights of a Child

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/
CRCIndex.aspx

Childrens Rights

Major Influences:

1. Convention on the Rights of a Child (1959)

special protection to maintain freedom and
dignity and be given lawful means to protect
their health (mental/physical), moral, and
spiritual conditions

2. 1979 Year of the Child 1959 Declaration

put into legal effect now International Law

Childrens Rights

1990 Conventions on the Rights of Child

most comprehensive agreement on human
rights
Includes many clarifications including:

Assurance that a child can form his/her own opinion

Children can be heard in judicial proceedings
Best interests of the child shall be given priority
Protection from sexual exploitation, female
circumcision
Protection of the rights of indigenous children

Left vaguethe definition of a child Why?

Organizations for
Childrens Rights (some
anyway)

UNICEF - www.unicef.ca
Human Rights Watch - www.hrw.org
Child Soldiers - www.child-soldiers.org
Free the Children http://www.freethechildren.com/

What do each of these do to help

raise awareness/fight for the rights of
children?