International Human Rights - Assignment Example

International Human Rights

Introduction

Terrorism has proved to be a global security concern over the past two decades. According to Salinas, Samuel & White (2012), terrorism can be defined as the intentional use of violence to induce fear with the aim of coercing or intimidating a government or the civil society to pursue a political, social or ideological objective. The major aim of terrorism is to create fear and use it to force the victim to do things that fulfill the extremists’ desire. The governments of different nations of the world have resolved to work together in the fight against terrorism. Terrorism is a technical challenge to address since some governments and groups of the civilian population support the extremists’ ideologies.

It is imperative to identify that since terrorism affects the entire world, people from all over the world should be involved in find a solution (Beyer & Bauer, 2009). In this regard, human rights compliance is a basic factor in the fight against terrorism. Human rights compliance can be described as an agreement to protect the welfare of humankind and cooperate in the fight against terrorism. The world is composed of nations that use different governance systems and therefore it is imperative to ensure that the strategies employed to handle terrorism-related cases do not offend the rights and freedoms of people as provided in the international relations policies or the laws of the respective countries (Beck, 2009). The assignment seeks to evaluate why human rights compliance is an important factor in the fight against terrorism and the role of the international human rights framework in response to nation and international security threats.

Human Rights Compliance and In Anti-Terrorism Strategy

Apparently, human rights compliance is a significant factor of consideration when addressing the challenge of terrorism. The adherence to the national and international laws coupled with the application of human right policies facilitates togetherness in solving the social, economic and political challenges that face the human kind. Joseph & McBeth (2010) argues that the problem of terrorism cannot be solved by a selected few in the global forum but the world as a whole. The United Nations Security Council established the counter-terrorism committee in 2001 after it was observed that the problem had reached a fatal stage. The council resolved to combat terrorism and adopt mechanisms that are within the guidelines of the international law with regard to human rights. In essence, the Security Council appreciates that the humanitarian law, the international human rights, and the refugees right have to be respected in the counter-terrorism strategies (Conte, 2010).

Essentially, the pain inflicted on people and governments by terrorism acts oblige the security forces to employ excessive power when pursuing the extremists. In the process, some innocent people die, and others are displaced due to the conditions created by the counter-terrorism war. In some instances, the armed forces go against the human rights and the humanitarian law in the pretext of combating terrorism. In such cases, innocent civilians are oppressed and tortured since their right and freedoms are not considered at the moment. For instance, many cases have been reported where women are raped, children killed and families displaced as the armed forces fight terrorists in the suspected hideouts (Doswald-Beck, 2011). The innocent civilian who have experienced oppression and torture during counter-terrorism missions feel humiliated and unwilling to unite in the combat against terrorism since their human rights and freedoms are not respected. It is essential for the security forces to ensure that human right compliance is marinated while combating terrorism to motivate the society to participate in the fight. The society is a significant component in the anti-terrorism struggle, and therefore the rights of individuals should be given priority to reinforce the fight.

Apparently, the society can be the best source of information regarding about the potential and existing terrorist acts if treated in the appropriate manner. The terrorists live in the society and sometimes the civilians might have some information about their whereabouts and speculated missions. The communication of such information to the relevant authorities becomes a challenge if the civilians feel that their rights or friend are disrespected by the authorities. Therefore, it can be stated that human rights compliance serves a significant purpose since the members of the society are assured of security and protection once they share such important information. Essentially, the government and other stakeholders in the maintenance of international peace and security should ensure that the civilians who give intelligence concerning terrorism are protected and their identity concealed to avoid loss of life and property (Walsh, 2010). It is clear that terrorists are not afraid to loose life and therefore if they realize or suspect that a civilian has betrayed them, they cannot hesitate to terminate the life of the traitor. In this regard, the authorities should establish measures that ensure human rights of individuals are protected, regardless of the status of international peace and security.

Human rights compliance enhances mutual exclusivity in the anti-terrorism war (Great Britain, 2008). The assurance that the security forces are acting in the interest of civilians builds a good relationship that gives room for a variety of thing. For instance, the civilians feel obliged to sacrifice some of their rights for the sake of nation or international peace and security. Sometimes, the security forces restrict human rights and freedoms to facilitate effective combat with the terrorist (Ignatieff, 2005). For instance, the right to privacy can be overlooked to facilitate comprehensive such or terrorist suspects. In such an instance, the civilians have to sacrifice their right to privacy to enhance effective operation of the security forces. Moreover, the security forces might curtail the freedom of assembly to protect the civilians from an impending terror attack. However, adequate civil education is required to ensure that people are aware of what happens to them and their roles in the war against terrorism. The human rights compliance facilitates a good relationship between the security forces and the members of the public thereby promoting international peace and cohesion.

The Role of International Human Rights Framework in Response to Security Threats

The framework establishes the infrastructure for modeling the global political, economic and social structures in relation to the human rights. The framework appreciates that all humans are entitled to equality and justice irrespective of the racial, ethnic, religion or cultural background. The aim of the framework I to provide the guideline to be used when faced with security dilemmas that involve human rights (United Nations, 2005). It is imperative to identify that the framework facilitates the working together of world nations in addressing the security issues that affect national and international peace. In essence, there are many ways in which the international human rights framework is able to respond to national and global security threats. Some of the ways include providing the human and financial resources, providing new habitat for displaced people and enhancing inter-governmental cooperation.

Provision of the Human and Financial Resources

The international human right agenda is operationalized with respect to the United Nations provisions. In response to security challenges, the framework aids in bringing the military troops from different countries together to work as one unit. Essentially, the United Nations does not have a permanent military body that addresses the global security issues. Therefore, the member states are required to give some military troops whenever a need arises. The global human rights charter facilitates the coming together of troops from different countries towards accomplishing a common mission (Proulx, 2016). The funding of the collective military activities is quite expensive, and therefore the involvement of different governments is necessary. The Security Council ensures that there are sufficient funds to support security operations at national and international levels (Giraldo, 2007). Some UN member countries experience fatal internal security threatens that cannot be solved using the available security resources of the country. The global human rights framework comes in to help by making the Security Council cooperate in solving the internal threats of nations.

Providing New Habitant for Displaced People

Ackerman (2006) states that the security challenge is associated with several adverse consequences that affect the human social, economic and political lives. For instance, the emergence of war in a country leaves some people homeless and other are displaced from their native residents. Studies have revealed that war and other security threats have resulted in a global refugee problem. The international human right framework aids in providing a platform where world nations can come together and help the displaced people to life a comfortable life. Moreover, it motivations nations to live as members of the family since incidences of war and security threats are unpredictable (Forest, 2007). In essence, people displaced from their country seek refuge from the neighboring countries until peace is restored. The hosting of refugees by neighboring countries is associated with various challenges. For instance, the refugees can be so many such that the host country’s resources are not sufficient to serve the needs of the natives and the refugees. In such an incidence, donor funding becomes necessary to ensure that the refugees get the basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. Moreover, donor funding is necessary to ensure that access to medication is made available to refugees to protect the humanity welfare and longevity. The international human rights structure coordinates the donor funding activities by providing a platform for the various united nation agencies to work together. The charter creates a human relation among nations and enhances the collective involvement of the various nations of the world in providing habitat and other essential needs to for refugees’ survival (Guzman, 2008).

Inter-Governmental Cooperation

The world is composed of sovereign states that operate under varied governance systems. A good relationship must exist between governments to ensure that there peace and cohesion are maintained in the global perspective. The international human rights framework motivates governments to work together in addressing security matters (Gearty, 2013). For instance, some governments have formed joint security committees that handle security matters in the region when the countries are located. Such governments work together in solving both internal and external security challenges whenever a need arise. In essence, the formation of intergovernmental security committees has promoted peace and cohesion among the countries involved. It is significant to recognize that governments are at different levels of development and use different methods in structuring their security infrastructures. Ginsburg & Dixon (2011) states that intergovernmental cooperation on security affairs is a strategic move towards the maintenance of international peace.

The core aim of a government is to protect and secure the interest of its citizens. The process of securing and protecting the rights and freedoms of the residence enhances the maintenance of international human rights provisions since the world governments focus on enhancing a bearable their respective citizens bearable. The adoption of the policies enshrined in the international human rights framework ensures that world governments establish policies that promote a good life of the human race (Herik & Schrijver, 2013). Humanity is a non-discriminatory aspect of life and therefore the global family should embrace it and consider the factors that facilitate progressive human welfare when developing law and policies for their respect citizens. Life is a special gift that should be protected by all the available means since if lost it cannot be regained (United Nations, 2008).

Conclusion

The international human right charter acts as the guideline to the policy development and implementation as far as the existence of human beings I concerned. Aspects such as human rights compliance and collective inter-governmental involvement in the development of security structures should be enhanced to promote the national and global peace and stability. The world nations should bring their resource together in addressing matters of global concern such as terrorism and human welfare. In essence, the global security is at the hands of various world governments and the citizens. Therefore, a good relationship between the government and its people and that between governments should be enhanced to ensure that the global peace and security are maintained.

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