Why is the UN Human Rights agenda so limited?

Essay , 2015 , 10 Pages , Grade: 1,5

Politics - Topic: International Organisations

Although all civilisations and religions have had certain rights and duties, benefits and obligations for their people, the notion of human rights as it is currently understood is a Western model and arguably a rather young idea. The study of human rights is an extremely complicated matter and has been discussed and researched for decades and yet still no general agreement has been reached. This piece is set out to examine human rights and the importance of the UN agenda in the worldwide promotion of human rights.

A brief historical overview will be given over the enforcement of human rights in international organisations, although it would go beyond the boundaries of this piece to describe the history of human rights activism in detail. The author will then discuss whether human rights are universal and go on to show the benefits of general and international rights of men. Finally, this piece shall debate why the UN human rights agenda is so limited given human rights are universal and promote international peace and security and it shall be argued that limited UN activism towards human rights is actually benefitting instead of interfering with the global promotion of human rights.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Why is the UN Human Rights agenda so limited?
• The notion of human rights
• Human rights: universality and benefits
• The limitations of the UN human rights agenda
• Non-Western perspectives on human rights
• Human rights and individual dignity

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This piece examines the limitations of the UN human rights agenda, exploring its historical development, the concept of universality, and the benefits of human rights for individuals and international peace. It delves into the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of the UN's human rights efforts and analyzes the influence of Western and non-Western perspectives on the concept of human rights.

• The historical development of the UN human rights agenda
• The universality of human rights
• The benefits of human rights for individuals and international peace
• The limitations of the UN's human rights activism
• The influence of Western and non-Western perspectives on human rights

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The essay begins by exploring the historical development of the concept of human rights, tracing its roots to Western thought and the influence of figures like Thomas Paine and Immanuel Kant. It highlights the establishment of the UN Commission on Human Rights and the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, while acknowledging the challenges and critiques faced by the UN in its efforts to promote and protect human rights.
• The essay then delves into the debate surrounding the universality of human rights, examining the argument that human rights are inherent to all individuals regardless of their cultural background or social status. It explores the concept of human rights as a "historical product and of universal validity," highlighting the role of the UN in promoting and protecting human dignity and ensuring development, justice, participation, and stability.
• The essay examines the limitations of the UN human rights agenda, focusing on the challenges posed by political considerations and the complexities of enforcing human rights norms in diverse cultural contexts. It discusses the evolution of the UN's human rights structures, from the UN Commission on Human Rights to the Human Rights Council, exploring the strengths and weaknesses of each institution and the ongoing debates regarding their effectiveness.
• The essay explores the perspectives of non-Western societies on human rights, acknowledging the influence of both Western and non-Western ideas in shaping the concept of human rights. It analyzes the arguments for and against the universality of human rights, highlighting the potential for cultural conflicts and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives on the individual and the community.
• The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of human rights for individual dignity and the broader goals of international peace and security. It highlights the role of human rights in promoting development, justice, participation, and stability, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue and revision of human rights norms to ensure their relevance and effectiveness in a changing world.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key topics and concepts explored in this essay include the UN human rights agenda, universality of human rights, individual dignity, non-Western perspectives, international peace, development, justice, participation, stability, and the role of the state in protecting human rights.

• College: University of East London
• Course: BA (Hons) International Politics with Psychology
• Grade: 1,5
• Author: Katherine Kretshmer (Author)
• Publication Year: 2015
• Pages: 10
• Catalog Number: V378108
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668554252
• ISBN (Book): 9783668554269
• Language: English
• Tags: human, rights