HHRI Flashcards

Question

Conflict of human rights vs economic development

Answer 1

Dependent on government prioritisation. eg. Singapore: Focuses on religious and political harmony - employs the death penalty, limited freedom of expression and there's no right to peaceful assembly. However, as a result it receives extreme FDI as it is seen as a very stable place to invest so has one of the World's highest GDP per capita. eg. China - no elections and censorship are employed so the communist party remains the Authoritarian power. With increasing education and economic growth and with slightly improved access to Social Media there are calls for more democracy. eg. India - largest democracy in the world. Consitution does include freedom of speech and religion. Does still deal with issues surrounding treatment of minority groups and violence against women.

Answer 2

Corruption Perception Index Lebanon - Delaying of general elections, paying of bribes to private companies. Lack of public services like waste removal which lead to riots which were quelled with excessive force.

Answer 3

**Enforcement of the Australian Human Rights Commission** (AHRC) 1. Prevents racial discrimination in employment, education, accommodation access and access to public services. 2. Have the right to preserve their distinct status and culture. Before 1967 they were not considered Australian citizens so could not vote and were often forced to live on reserves. They also had their children stolen from them who were brought up in 'white institutions' - up to 1970. **Although this practice has stopped:** - Rate of imprisonment is 15x higher than non indigenous - 30% lack basic literacy skills. - Remaining lack of political representation

Answer 4

Between 2005 and 2012 the gap between non-indigenous and ATSI life expectancy closed 0.8 years for men but only 0.1 years for women. 1998-2012 - Deaths due to circulatory diseases fell by 45% 1998 - 2012 - Infant mortality rate for ATSI fell by 64%

Answer 5

**20% school aged children are not enrolled** Marginalisation from the government eg. stolen generation has lead to suspicion of official institutions like schools. So despite legal improvements eg. AHRC, inequalities remain

Answer 6

**Discrimination against the Uyghur people in the Xinjiang Province** The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seek to gain greater control over the Xinjiang province as it is a key location in the expansion of the BRI - it is home to China's largest reserves of Coal and Natural Gas. The CCP worry that the region could become separated from the rest of China as it predominantly **Sunni Muslim**, not one of the 5 government recognised religions. Government policies have included forced detention of Uyghurs in **The Xinjiang Internment Camps** which have been accused of multiple human rights abuses: eg. forced sterilisation - **Uyghur birth rates fell by more than 60% between 2015 and 2018**

Answer 7

**Gender Inequalities** - 87% of women are illiterate - 1/11 women die in child birth -70-80% of women are in forced marriages. Since taliban took over again in 2021: - Women banned from secondary school and uni - Women must follow strict dress codes - Women restricted from most jobs - Has severe economic implications for Afghanistan.

Answer 8

Development Aid Trade embargoes Military Aid Indirect and Direct military Action

Answer 9

Action taken by one or more sovereign states to influence the political or social conditions in another state.

Answer 10

Bilateral Multilateral

Answer 11

When a government or IGO restricts trade with a country to encourage it to change its actions or policies by hindering it economically or restricting its access to goods eg. military supplies. UN in 1980 authorised a trade embargo against South Africa to restrict its access to oil and military supplies in order to end the Apartheid. **Limited political change** - Long standing embargo against Cuba since 1960 aimed to weakened the Fidel Castro Communist government however the regime remained in power for decades. **Negative civilian impact** more than the elite as economic impact can increase poverty and unemployment. This can be used to **strengthen authoritarian** regimes who may blame foreign powers. **Most effective when there is large international participation so countries cannot bypass the embargo by trading with other countries.**

Answer 12

Financially expensive Risk of escalation Lack of support from population at home/ political strategy Lack of agreement within the UN security council

Answer 13

Protection of people 'trapped' in a foreign country. Putin used this as a reason for the military action in Crimea

Answer 14

Moral intervention is when a country intervenes to protect human rights or prevent a humanitarian crisis. eg. NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999. Pragmatic intervention is when a country intervenes to advance its own national interests. eg. US intervention in Syria 2014 against the rise of ISIS in order to stabilise the region (economically beneficial for US - oil) NO: Governments often justify intervention as moral to gain public support. Strategic/ economic interests are often always involved. Due to the past selective nature of intervention it is argued that humanitarian alone is not enough for a country to intervene eg. delayed intervention in Rwanda in 1994

Answer 15

The idea that each nation has a right to govern itself without foreign interference.

Answer 16

**FOR:** 1. To prevent humanitarian disaster - Responsibility to Protect (R2P) 2. To maintain international security - eg. War on Terror post 9/11 - US intervention in Afghanistan to remove the Taliban government. **AGAINST:** 1. Risk of hidden motives (pursuing strategic interests, Gulf War 2) 2. Can lead to power vacuums making the issues worse.

Answer 17

Colonel Gaddafi ruled as a dictator, unchallenged for 42 years. Consistently, violated human rights eg. In 1976 a group of uni students protested for a return to fair elections and a civillian governments. They were executed and broadcasted on TV. In 2011 many Libyans demonstrated against Gadaffi, inspired by the 'Arab Spring' movement. These demonstrates were brutally murdered. UN authorised bombing of the capital city by British and French air forces - By October Gadafi was dead. **EFFECTIVNESS** Short term improvements as citizens were able to criticise political leader more openly without prosecution. However, civil wars and Militia rule still abuse HR: - Torture and Rape, especially of migrants - Forced disappearances

Answer 18

Governments favour: - Provides more control over where and how the money is spent - Allows quicker and more flexible action - Encourages long term relationships - Use of SAPs

Answer 19

Considered to be more 'legitimate' as NGOs are often less tied to political and economic interests. Can be more cost effective when funding larger projects as resources are pooled.

Answer 20

800 000 died in 100 days

Answer 21

Tutsi (ethnic minority) killed by Hutu people (ethnic majority). Propaganda spread that the Tutsi were a threat to the Hutu and they were 'invaders'. 800 000 Rwandans killed in 100 days.

Answer 22

**'Shadow of Somalia'** 18 US soldiers were killed by Somali rebels in 1992. So President Clinton was reluctant to get involved again. 90% of peacekeeping force was withdrawn - the few that remained had insufficient arms to be effective. The US argued it did not benefit US interest. (Argument for why humanitarian reason often not enough) **French National Interest** Intervening in Rwanda would have put at risk French economic opportunity which was an ally of the Hutu government.

Answer 23

**Structural Adjustment Policies** - often make it hard for countries to access the aid as they are required to restructure their economy in order to privitise industries. This largely benefits TNCs and leads to reduced spending on public services. **Environmental Degradation** IGOs often prioritise economic development at the cost of environmental damage

Answer 24

**MDG - eradication of Malaria** Donor nations funded free insecticide treated nets (ITNs) for over half the population in SSA by 2014. Compared to 2% in 2000. Better and more readily available diagnosis. **UN estimates that 6.2M malaria deaths have been prevented since 2000

Answer 25

- Governments do not promote the development of industries sufficiently as they rely on money from aid. - Aid goods (eg. food) flood the local market and this can drive down the cost of locally sourced goods leading to lack of production. - Difficulty planning long term projects as knowing when aid will be withdrawn is difficult.

Answer 26

Focusing on 'real aid' - aid with few strings attached. This allows countries to lead their own development to sustainably grow the economy.

Answer 27

Much money is lost to corruption as the countries that are the poorest often have the weakest governance. This means aid often doesn't benefit those that need it most but instead dictators gain and embezzle this money. eg. 2009, Zambian president embezzled $12M aid money.

Answer 28

Oil from the Niger Delta accounts for 75% of Nigeran government income and 90% of its export earnings. Despite this 70% of people in Niger Delta still live below the poverty line Majority of funding goes to oil exploitation leaving schools and hospitals underfunded. Poor sanitation mean cleaning drinking water is inaccessible. - 550 oil spills in 2014. Traditional fishing and agriculture industries have been compromised by oil extraction.

Answer 29

**$38 Billion in aid since 1995 - Haiti still remains one of the world's most poorest countries** Dependency culture created: - Haiti's government system is weak as Aid organisations have taken over many jobs done by local officials. Workers from Bangladesh brought cholera which is now endemic NGOs have abused their power eg. Oxfam - sexual exploitation.

Answer 30

**Example of Tied Aid** Britain funded the £234M on the condition that Malaysia would buy arms (worth £1.3B) off British companies eg. BAE. The dam was not economically justifiable and British government ministers ignored advisers from the ODA (Overseas Development Administration). High Court ruled against the UK. Supports the argument that **development aid is just an extension on foreign policy** - Governments use development as a front for gaining economic benefits eg. BRI in China for extraction of natural resources

Answer 31

Social measures rather than equality/ human rights eg. Health and education rather than promoting equality. Because health and education are more easily implemented and measurable eg. ITNs in SSA. Promoting equality requires long term ideological change - Saudi Arabia vision for 2030 equality.

Answer 32

**1. Dependency** - Reliant on NGOs to coordinate development eg. health benefits meaning the governments do no not develop the health services to carry on the implementation after the NGOs leave the country. **2. Corruption** Money diverted away by powerful players. The most vulnerable suffer the most as little investment into public services. **3. Inequality in which countries receive the aid** Often due to lack of monitoring and recording of success of projects - lack of accountability. Colonial relationships - Former colonies get more aid than necessary compared to those who need it in order to maintain diplomatic relationships.

Answer 33

The US has given Colombia up to US$10B in military aid between 2000 and 2015. Critics argue that giving them the aid allows them to continue their poor records of HR - widespread use of torture by military forces. The US argues that military aid is used: - To maintain peace and fight illegal drug organisations - Much cocaine in the US comes from Colombia. - They also argue that the aid is given conditionally on the fact that HR must improve eg. the suspension of military personal committing torture. Critics uncovered if the conditions were not met only 25% of the aid is suspended.

Answer 34

US and coalition allies invaded Iraq in 2003 in order to: -**Force regime change** - remove Suddam Hussein from power As it was argued that Hussein was developing **WMD** and persecuting Iraqi Kurds and Sunni groups (Shia government). - **War on terror** - Leaders argued that WMD could be supplied to terrorist organisations. Critics argue: - **Strategic interest**: Iraq has some of the largest oil reserves in the world so removing Hussein would give the US greater control over the market. Project democracy into the Middle East to gain more influence in the region.

Answer 35

**Short Term Benefits** - Oppressive Hussein regime ended so HR did initially improve. - US funded vaccination programme reduced infant mortality by 75% - First free election for the country in 50 years occurred in 2005. **Long term negatives** - Terrorist organisations, ISIS and al-Qaeda, which were not prominent in Iraq prior rose up to take control of the **power vacuum** - Decreases HR as many citizens are opressed. - Animosity between Shia and Sunni muslims became worse as Shia wanted to be back in power. A government containing a mix is now almost impossible. (Bombing of polling stations) - Ranks 161/168 on Corruption Perceptions Index. This is largely due to a lack of a clear exit plan from the coalition so left in Iraq in a position of instability.

Answer 36

Srebenica - 1995 - 8000 Bosnian men and boys were murdered by Bosnian Serb forces. Srebenica was meant to be a UN safe heaven protected by UN peacekeeping forces. The UN and NATO did not act early enough or with enough force. Peacekeepers had: - Weak mandate - Limited weapons for protection **R2P failed** - shows that lack of action can allow mass atrocities to occur.

Answer 37

NATO launched airstrikes against Serbian forces in response to the ethnic cleansing of Albanian muslims residing in Kosovo. It was successful as: - Genocide was stopped - Decisive as it only lasted 78 days and targeted key military sites. - Combined with the support of UN peacekeeping forces in Kosovo stability was achieved - prevent civil war like in Iraq. Remains a contested topic as it went against the UN security council.

Answer 38

Context: 1975 was invaded by Indonesia after becoming independent from Portugal. Mass HR violations - Torture. Disease and famine spread throughout the country. UN orchestrated diplomatic talks between Portugal and Indonesia in order to resolve the conflict. 1999 it organised a referendum - 78% voted leave. Anti independence milita started a campaign of violence. - 7000 killed and 400 000 were displaced. **USA and UK started an arms embargo to end the violence.** And UN intensified diplomatic talks. Eventually Indonesian forces withdrew - 2002 Timor Leste became Independent. **CONCLUSION** - Military force avoided and only used eventually to maintain the peace. - Legitimate as UN backed. Did not fully avoid deaths and harm however.

Answer 39

Shows accountability to taxpayers and voters Shows areas of weakness for future improvements.

Answer 40

**Health** - Life expectancy / infant mortality. **Education** - Years of schooling/ literacy rates **Wealth** - GDP per capita

Answer 41

**Success is subjective** - eg. Iraq, the intended outcome of regime change was achieved but the long term consequences were not intended - is it then truly success? Success can only be short term or when military forces are still present . eg. Afghanistan before US withdrawal in 2021. - 'Winners' often decide the success criteria. **Data issues** - Often there is much displacement and also corruption leads to warped figures **Hard to quantify** - Eg. Freedom of speech as they are softer measures but still vital when determining the success of an intervention.

Answer 42

Brazil it implemented SAPs to promote TNCs locating into the country and this massively boosted FDI. Poverty rates fell by 25% from 1990 to mid 2000s In Zambia, SAPs lead to cuts of 20-30% on health and education spending by the government. This lead to and increase in poverty. Difference between the two: Brazil has much greater levels of economic diversification. Able to adapt to the reforms more readily than Zambia who are massively reliant on copper exports. This makes them very vulnerable to its fluctuating price on the global market.

HHRI Flashcards

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