Colonialism and Human Rights - Essay Example

Colonialism and Human Rights Colonialism refers to governing influence or control of a nation over a dependent country, people or territory. As stated by Senatore and Pedro (11), colonialism is a state of domination that encompasses subjugation of one people to another. The practice of colonialism therefore involves the transfer of people into a new territory after which the settlers lives as permanent settlers while maintaining allegiance to their country of origin but exercises power over the country in which they settle. According to Senatore and Pedro (13), colonialism is a system in which state claims political, economic and cultural control over the people and their land that is located outside of its own boundaries. In this regard, colonialism is mainly depended on political oppression and economic exploitation that often took either formal or informal imperialism forms. Colonialism is not a modern phenomenon and can be traced in history from several examples of one society expanding gradually by including the adjacent territory and making settlements within the newly conquered territory. These forms of colonies were witnessed in ancient Greek, the Moors, Romans, and Ottomans among others (Lightfoot et al, 101). However, at the beginning of the sixteenth century, there was a drastic change with respect to the nature and magnitude of colonialism due to the advancement in technology. This advancement made it possible for colonial powers to connect remote parts of the world through fast sailing ships thus it was easier to reach distant ports and sustain close activities between colonies and the center. European settled and took political and economic control over the rest of the world including America, Africa, Australia and Asia. Industrial revolution in Europe gave rise to new economic needs many of which found solutions abroad. The pattern of economic and social life was drastically changed by raw materials and agricultural products from Central America, American Midwest, Brazil, West Africa, South Africa and Argentina. Europe also had to sell their products thus investment abroad was very important. As a result of this Asia and Africa were the biggest losers while the west gained and profited. This was possible because industrialization empowered Europe to the means and tools through which it dominated the entire world. These included military power, cultural power through language, commercial power and ability to control different places economically (Lightfoot et al, 103). The west therefore benefited by exploiting Africa, Asia and America for cheap labor, raw material for industries and brought goods for sale. Various studies have differed on the benefits of colonialism since some believe it resulted into civilization, improved health, political systems, agricultural production and trade. However colonialism was also characterized by genocide particularly in Australia and new Zealand indigenous population. As stated by Senatore and Pedro (19), the indigenous population of Australia is only 2.4% of the overall population by 2010 while that of Maori were only 15% of the New Zealand’s population. Studies have however shown that former European colonies have higher rate of growth than those without European colonization such as south Africa which was the last to get its independent (Lightfoot et al, 102). However, most colonial writers have encountered that citing the impacts of colonialism with respect to non economic elements of growth such as cultural, social and emotional impacts of underdevelopment. The debate over the issue of colonialism is an ongoing debate and there may be no comprehensive opinion. Past experiences and results of western imperialism have however impacted negatively on Africa, Asia and America while benefiting Europe. Declaration of Human Rights Article 1 of the declaration of human’s rights states that “All 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”. This article outlines the dignity and non-estimable worth of human beings thus underscores other duties that all human beings have with respect to one another. Article one is often referred to as the cornerstone of the declaration because of the fact that it is derived from interconnectedness of the world. Within the principle of unity and interdependence there are forces of antagonism and division that must be countered by social justice, political and economic participation of all the people (Darraj, 33). Article 2 of the declaration states that, “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedom set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. This article outlines the principle of equality and non-discrimination and equal protection before the law thus individuals will have equal benefit and equal protection by the law without any discrimination. This declaration was purposed to ensure that there is no discrimination of the ill-willed discrimination or systematic discrimination within the society thus barriers that prevent complete enjoyment of this declaration must be rectified. Article 3 states that, “Everyone has a right to life, liberty and the security of the person”. This article sets out the basic principle of liberty which is outlined into details from article 4 to article 11 of the universal declaration of human’s rights. This declaration has been derived from the issue of personal security and illustrates the interrelatedness of the declaration and the and Holocaust. This declaration is also based on the believe that the interest of individual citizens comes first before that of the state thus the state cannot deprive individuals of their basic rights and dignity. Article 7 states that, “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination” (Darraj, 37). This declaration forms the foundation of the rule of law thus governs not only the judicial but also the legislative actions. This declaration aims at achieving a common standard for everybody and states. Demand for fair judgment process is based on this declaration thus outlines the importance of due process and the rule of law. Article 18 states that, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this rights includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance”. This declaration is derived from dual related freedoms of thought and conscience thus people should be allowed to express their views based on his or her own judgment without fear of retribution. This declaration is not only meant for the growth of individuals but also that of institutions particularly political institutions. These institutions can grow better when leaders feel free to voice their opinions from time to time. The main problem facing freedom of thought, religion and convictions are issues related to the rights of other people but not the freedom of the inner state of mind (Darraj, 46). Thus human rights cannot be protected in isolation from each other. Article 19 states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medium and regardless of frontiers”. This declaration is derived from the post war years when there was tremendous interest in freedom of information. The Soviet Union wanted denied Nazi and fascist groups. During 17th century, there was also struggle for freedom of speech for legislators as is cited as the roots to the right to freedom of information. This declaration is aimed at ensuring every person communicate their thoughts without any restraints thus every citizen can write, speak and publicize freely provided that he or she is responsible for the abuse of his liberty. Article 23 states that, “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests” (). This declaration establishes four major principles; the right to work, equal pay, just remuneration, and freedom of association. The right to work is derived from the principle that individuals should be able to choose employment without interference. It is also important to note that access to the labor market is worthless if the working conditions are not acceptable. According to Darraj (47), the right to work is also seen as prerequisite for protection against discrimination, social rights, economic rights and freedom of association for employees. Works Cited Darraj, Susan Muaddi. The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2010 Lightfoot, Kent G., et al. "European Colonialism And The Anthropocene: A View From The Pacific Coast Of North America." Anthropocene 4.When Humans Dominated the Earth: Archeological Perspectives on the Anthropocene (2013) 101-115 Senatore, María Ximena, and Pedro Paulo A. Funari. Archaeology Of Culture Contact And Colonialism In Spanish And Portuguese America. Cham: Springer, 2015 Read More