United Nations and Human Ritghs - Research Paper Example

? United Nations and Human Rights Franklin D. Roosevelt president of the United s of Americagave the name United Nation which was initially known as League of Nations. This name was coined in the year 1942 and was then declared in the law known as 'Declaration of United Nations' during the Second War of the Worlds. This organization came into existence when assigned representatives belonging to twenty six different nations accumulated on one platform gathered together to convince their governments to fight against the supreme powers together as one. The purpose of establishing this organization by Kofi Annan is "Preventing conflicts so that we can live in a world free of fear." (Role of United Nations) United Nation is playing a great role in tackling the catastrophes and mass murders that are taking place all around the world. The role of United Nations has however been criticized by many individuals in certain instances. It is believed that they have not fully come up to fulfill the roles that were assigned to the organization when it came into existence. These nations which had joined hands together initially decided to take organizations which had hold internationally to help them out on certain matters concerning welfare. Through this effort various agencies which specialized in various areas were established. In the year 1865 the ' International Telecommunication Union' which was initially the 'International telegraph union' was formed. Apart from that the 'universal postal union' also came into existence in the year 1874. (History of United Nations) A conference was organized in The Hague in the year 1899 in order to discuss and draft their stance on how to settle problems peacefully and to overcome prevailing crisis. The reason behind this conference was to prevent wars and to generate the basic rules that governed warfare. The major achievement of this conference was that it developed the 'Permanent Court of Arbitration' which started to function in the year 1902. This court was majorly influenced by the 'Pacific Settlement of International Disputes'. The United Nation takes its existence from the League of Nations which was established during the First World War to overcome the massacre that took place. This organization was not successful and therefore was dissolved. It was also formed with the purpose of maintaining peace and security as well as to establish cooperation internationally. This organization that is the United Nations was established in the year 1945 on 24th of October. This organization was formed by the consent of veto powers such as China, United Kingdom, United States of America, Soviet Union and other member countries who signed the resolution. Every year the 'United Nations Day' is celebrated on 24 of October. After this organization was established it was realized that a code of conduct needs to be derived so that the rights of human beings remains protected and no human is a victim of ill treatment what so ever. Therefore realizing this United Nations developed a charter which contained the basic rights which are the inborn right of each and every individual of the signatories as well as the countries that come under their jurisdiction. This law was formerly known as the 'The Universal Declaration of Human Rights'. This declaration was passed so that the wrong that was being done to humans previously like they were being deprived of their basic necessities. Power was being exercised unjustly; slavery was at its peak. Considering all these circumstances where human beings were being treated worse than animals then it was realized that certain initiates need to be taken that would protect the sovereignty and dignity of individuals and no individual would have the right to oppress any human irrespective of power, position etc. In simpler words this organization was established with the following motto, "Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world". (The United Nation and the Human Rights) In these the fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, thought, culture; religion was given to all individuals irrespective of caste, creed, culture or race. Slavery was prohibited. Family laws and laws related to marriage were passed, it was stated that all humans are equal before law and no human should be charged as a culprit until proved guilty. All humans have the right to live their life the way they want without any external interference. Apart from these many other articles were incorporated in the law to ensure safety of humans across the board. (Moskowitz, 135) If these laws are abided and all humans are benefited with equal rights irrespective of any racial, ethnic or religious difference then a society will be established that would be free from all sorts of injustice and those who intend to cause harm to the humanity would think twice before committing any such action that would offend the integrity of another. If a society is established that persists of such laws then there won't be any injustice in the society. (Ramcharan, 13-14) The United Nations has been quite successful in mediating successful communication within countries. Since it is a forum where the signatories sit together, communicate over various issues that are prevailing in the world and maintain a code of conduct. The signatories use a method of conversation and discussion by that they settle and talk about various issues that might obstruct world peace and eventually draft a resolution to overcome any such obstacle that they might encounter in future. (Meisler, 144) Since the power lies with the veto therefore all the goals that have been set by the United Nations and are part of their agenda but cannot be met due to various personal reasons of the ones having authority. Despite this the United Nations has proved to be of immense help when it comes to resolving conflicts, and to help out the victims of various calamities. The united nation comprises of various organs that are responsible to aid people living in the world for example WHO, UNICEF, DISEC, UNESCO etc. (Mertus, 127)These organizations are aiding the effected Asian and African countries. The reason why the United Nations cannot actually put an end to warfare is that the interests of the veto play a very important role in diversifying such conflicts. But the efforts of the United Nation in other sectors are plausible and can be seen by all. Countries like Liberia, Sudan and Darfur etc. are a few examples where the United Nations have proved to be of great help. Any crisis that occurs in the world, United Nation is the first organization to prove of help. Countries like Japan, China and USA etc. also prove to be of immense generosity at the time of need. Apart from this United Nation is the only platform that provides a common ground to overcome any interstate conflict that occurs. The United Nations produced a charter that is basically concerned with the human rights and the theme behind that charter is equal rights for all irrespective of cast, creed, gender, ethnicity, race, social structure, financial state, religion etc. According to the law a person has all rights to live and strive for his necessities without any fear of any external or internal harm. This gives individuals the right to practice their culture freely without any insecurity. Culture plays a very important part in our daily life. It is through the effect of culture on us that we view things in various perspectives. This also gives birth to various conflicts as approaches tend to differ from one another. At this point the work of the charter devised by the United Nation comes into play which restricts any such activity that can cause harm to human beings. A very good example to prove that the United Nations has proved beneficial in resolving the conflicts that have aroused due to culture and human rights is the issue of India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir. These countries soon after they have been separated from each other are debating over the authority over Kashmir both claiming it to be theirs. The United Nation in the past 66 years has proved beneficial by avoiding any major conflict that might have aroused if they would not have intervened. It is because of the efforts and intervention of the United Nations that these countries are still at peace with one another. (Yoder, 68) The United Nations has been an organization that has worked for the betterment of this world and has strived to bring about peace, prosperity and coherence. Their efforts are very prominent when it comes to helping the suffering humanity. It has been observed that the United Nation has always put a hand forward to help the ones in need and their organizations are actively working on their assigned area. There are many disadvantages of this organization too. Like the unfair use of the veto power. Today it has been seen that the super powers are taking wrong advantage of their powers by exercising their power only for the sake of their benefit not the benefit of the world. Apart from that the United Nations can only mediate and provide a pathway for the signatories to sit together and communicate with one another that at times can restrict warfare but it does not have any such power to stop them from war. Therefore it serves as a pathway for negotiation which at times can result in healthy relations. The purpose of United Nation dies when the veto powers exercise their power in the wrong manner which is the main reason of failure of the United Nations. Today, the work and efforts of the United Nations are very prominent and many underprivileged countries have their hopes sided with organization therefore if actions are taken on world forum to overcome the demerits of this organization then there are chances that we have a peaceful, prosperous and safer and united world. I believe that the United Nations has played a positive role in working towards the betterment of the overall chaos that is taking place in the world. This organization has intervened at many mass murders that have taken place in different countries. An example of the Korean War can be taken here where the United Nations played a significant role in bringing the war to an end. I think that the work should overall be improved further to bring down the problems that are happening all over the world. WORKS CITED "History of the United Nations." Welcome to the United Nations: It's Your World. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/history/ "The United Nations and Human Rights."Twin Cities - University of Minnesota. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. . Mertus, Julie. The United Nations and human rights: a guide for a new era. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2005. Print. Peace: The Role of the United Nations."UNA-Canada : : ACNU. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. Read More