Global History & Geography I CULTURE UNIT Human Rights & The United Nations

Objectives 1.15What are Human Rights? 1.16What are the goals of the United Nations? 1.17Describe some key elements of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights? 1.18How has the United Nations been successful or unsuccessful in achieving its goals throughout history?

Human Rights – Inside Out Worksheet B 1.Respect 2.Exists 3.Adopted 4.Granted 5.Slavery 6.Abuses 7.Same 8.Signed 9.Promote 10.Western

Document in Brief The Universal Declaration of Human Rights The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets forth the basic liberties and freedoms to which all people are entitled. The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted this declaration on. They hoped that it would become a standard by which liberty and freedom could be judged throughout the world. Article 1All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Article 2Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status… Article 3Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Article 4No one shall be held in slavery or servitude… Article 5No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Article 9No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. Article 13Everyone has the right to freedom of movement… Article 18Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion… Article 19Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression… Article 20Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association… Article 23Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Article 25Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood… Article 26Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. ANALYZING THE DOCUMENT Use the excerpts above to answer the following questions. 1.Which of the following articles grant a person the right to leave and return to their country? A Article 4 B Article 5 C Article 13 D Article 18 1.Which of the following articles grants a person the right to live free from hunger? A.Article 1 B.Article 9 C.Article 23 D.Article 25 2.Critical Thinking: Drawing Conclusions In what ways might the existence of this declaration benefit people living under an oppressive government?

Human Rights First universally recognized by the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights Adopted in 1948 and seen as beginning of international human rights law. Helsinki Accords/Agreement 1975, 35 nations signed agreement that freedom of speech, religion, and press are basic human rights… Amnesty International International organization created in 1961 to try to carry out the goals of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The United Nations

History of the United Nations In 1945, San Francisco hosted the United Nations Conference on International Organizations.. There were 50 countries represented at the United Nations Conference including: United States, France, United Kingdom, Soviet Union (now Russia), and China. These five countries are known as the “Permanent Five” members.

The United Nations was created at the end of the Second World War, replacing the League of Nations A major reason the United Nations has been more successful than the League of Nations is that the United Nations has had greater participation on the part of the major powers. US President Franklin D Roosevelt was a driving force behind the creation of the United Nations The name “United Nations” was used by Roosevelt to describe the alliance fighting the Axis powers in World War 2

Three of the “Permanent Five” at Yalta in 1945

The Preamble to the Charter WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

What does the United Nations Do? 1.The UN was created to maintain international peace and security. Collective security The United Nations was created primarily to provide a means of solving international problems and conflict peacefully 2.It also works to maintain friendly relationships between countries. The United Nations has often acted as a “bridge” to help unite opposing forces and differing ideologies and world powers 3.Lastly, it works to promote economic development of member nations.

Who and Where? Almost all countries in the world are members of the UN. There are currently 191 countries in the UN. The headquarters is in New York City. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is located in The Hague in the Netherlands.

UN World Headquarters New York

Parts of the United Nations 1. The General Assembly – the ‘town meeting’ of the world. 2. UN Security Council – maintains world peace (most powerful branch) 3. Economic and Social Council - works with the UN’s economic, cultural, health and educational activities. 4. Trusteeship Council - territories 5. ICJ – International Court of Justice 6. The Secretariat – administrative duties and can bring any topic before the SC. Ban Ki-Moon

International Court of Justice The Hague, Netherlands

The General Assembly Every member nation has a seat at the General Assembly. Brings up international issues that they want the Security Council to deal with Holds elections for Security Council members and other leaders

The General Assembly Inside UN Headquarters

President Reagan Addressing the General Assembly

UN Security Council Made up of 15 countries: The “Permanent Five” countries (G.B., USA, France, Russia, and China) 10 non-permanent countries (elected every two years) The strong-arm of the UN Maintains international peace & collective security How does it do this: Recommends peaceful negotiations (peace talks) Can use Economic Sanctions Can use Military Sanctions

The UN Security Council Inside World Headquarters

Security Council Speaking on a Solution for Haiti’s Violence

Sanctions Sanctions are used to punish a country for violating international law. They can be used to force a country to follow a law. In order for sanctions to be used by the UN Security Council, ALL FIVE permanent members must have a unanimous vote.

Types of Sanctions Diplomatic Sanctions – removal of all political ties (like embassies) Economic Sanctions – ban on all trade with a country (except food) Military Sanctions – using a military to force compliance.

Military Sanctions UN Peacekeepers – a group of armed soldiers sent to a hostile area to promote peace. They ARE NOT COMBAT TROOPS. These soldiers maintain peace. At present, there are 40,000 UN peacekeepers serving all over the world. They don’t go on combat missions. They are not an ‘army’ 13 UN peacekeeping missions all over the world The first ever UN peacekeeping mission established in the Middle East in 1948 is still continuing UN Military Force – an army made up of soldiers from more than one UN country that can serve as combat troops. They are not very effective and are not used very often.

The cost of operating the United Nations rises dramatically when Peacekeeping missions increase Since 1985, the United Nations has changed by increasing its involvement in conflicts with member nations YearMembersAnnual Operating BudgetPeacekeeping Missions $147 million &177 million $158 million $1.3 billion16 SOURCE: The New York Times, 10/22/95

UN Peacekeepers They always wear blue berets or blue helmets to identify themselves.

Serbs Attack U.N. Peacekeeping Forces

Major UN Missions East Timor (Asia) – the UN supervised the independence of this country Iraq (Middle East) – UN tried to cut all trade with Iraq after it failed to comply with international law, but some nations continued to trade with them. Somalia (Africa) – UN humanitarian mission to get food and supplies to people in need Haiti (Caribbean) – UN helped strengthen government, army, and hold elections

Strengths of the UN Provides a forum for almost all of the world’s nations to discuss international issues Humanitarian efforts AIDS Landmine removal Food and supply organization Peacekeeping forces Will get involved with messes that no one else will

Weaknesses of the UN Sanctions are only effective if ALL countries follow them Military force is rarely used and is usually ineffective Genocides & Human Rights violations in Rwanda & Serbia /Bosnia in Slavery & Human Trafficking remains a problem in the modern era even though the Universal Dec. of Human Rights declares it prohibited ALL permanent members of the security council have to vote unanimously (one country can stop a sanction) Often major powers do not cooperate

Weaknesses of the UN Inadequate funding by member nations 14 Countries Pay 85% of the subscriptions (membership fee) Big gap between developing and industrialized nations The United Nations has often been unsuccessful in solving international disputes because national sovereignty stands in the way of international cooperation

UN Analysis Questions Some of the weaknesses of the UN are caused by flaws in the structure of the organization. Would it be better to start from scratch, or spend time and money solving the problems from within. What do you think the world would be like without the United Nations?

UN Analysis Questions (cont) Which part of the Untied Nations would you put the most money towards? Why? What are some alternatives to economic and military sanctions if they don’t work?