National Security versus Individual Privacy - Assignment Example

 National Security versus Individual Privacy Human Rights The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was established to preserve the rights of the human fraternity, particularly those of vulnerable populations. The Charter deems all people as equal before the law. Cases of discrimination based on one’s race, ethnicity, religion, gender among other issues are therefore highly unacceptable under the charter. The most important of them all is the right to life. This right preserves human freedom and safety from bodily harm as inflicted by others through torture and slavery among other ways. However, the issue of national security sometimes tampers with these fundamental human rights. As Kim (2012) has pointed out, due to national security issues, states have violated individual privacy by embracing massive eavesdropping campaigns including interception of online communications, and tapping of telephone conversations for purposes of gathering intelligence. The latest revelations of NSA spying on individuals and other government databases have raised the issue of individual privacy violations (McMahon, & Ascherio, 2012). Some invasive investigatory processes such as torture for purposes of extracting information from criminal suspects normally violate human right to privacy, freedom of thought, and freedom from bodily harm (Andrássy, 2012). Government’s excesses in the form of raids of individual homes, opening unsuspecting people’s confidential documents and bothering the public for purposes of investigations has led to rampant cases of abuse, which contravene human rights to privacy. Democracy versus autonomy The freedom of assembly enables the people to meet friends, business associates and new persons in life for purposes of working together in harmony and safeguarding human rights (Benjamin, 2010). The protocol therefore outlaws any forcible attempt to make people part of a group which they do not want. But some states infringe on the democratic right of people to participate in governance by electing their preferred leaders. Through a dictatorial government, citizens have been denied the right to social security. As a result, people face inadequate housing, health care services, food, water education and employment. The lack of democratic structures and ideology calls for external intervention which then presents the ethical dilemma of interrupting the free thought of the political leadership of the relevant countries as evident in the collective form of national sovereignty. Corporate economy versus human rights Large multinationals have become more powerful in the current global economy to the point that agents of change face an ethical dilemma of choosing between economic roles and human rights violations by the organizations (Kim, 2012). Increased profits caused by multinational monopolies in some markets has yielded damaging outcomes in society including business-led breaches of human rights in the form of taking part in skewed international treaties that favor business and advance environmental pollution, child labor, and poor remuneration. In most cases, international corporations claim that their operations in foreign markets are really geared towards promoting constructive engagement and human rights protection in dictatorial countries (Benjamin, 2010). However, it appears such insinuations are merely convenient excuses for taking their exploitative practices to the next level while they make more profits. Human rights advocates are often ethically split in thought with regard to handling such situations. For example, the enactment of stiffer measures which are aimed at restoring human rights may then cut into the profits of the organizations and spark off massive layoffs which might eventually hurt the economy. Women’s Rights As De Schutter (2012) has noted the rights of women globally are yet to be fully protected by states around the world. The world has enacted a universal treaty to protect women’s rights by bringing them to par with men. But, in spite of many significant achievements in achieving women empowerment, current-day women are still grappling with numerous human rights issues including unfavorable cultural, political and economic practices in different societies. For example, some females work as men but in some societies they are entitled to less pay. As the result, gender discrimination impacts the entire life of the women fraternity throughout their lives, making them more affected with poverty. Racism Apart from women’s rights, racism is another issue that impairs global and national unity by creating racial divisions which degenerate into some races being viewed as inferior and ripe for discrimination. Racism and prejudice have been employed as a powerful tool to encourage fear or animosity against others in the wake of social or economic crises. Rights of the Natives De Schutte (2012) say hundreds of millions of indigenous people have undergone discrimination in the whole world. Historical records show that such populations have experienced repeated cases of dispossession of lands and other property, particularly during conflicts despite the fact that they have a right to property ownership and access to important resources. Indeed, indigenous communities are often classified as one of the most disadvantaged populations globally as a result of the human rights abuses visited on them. As a public administrator these human rights issues are important because they enable me to gauge the level of human freedom and enjoyment of rights across different countries in the world. With this vital information at my fingertips, I am now well-equipped to press for more change of policy on the areas that need correction and improvement. In addition, global range of information with regards to national security issues, women’s rights, multinational culture, and racial issues have enabled me compare and contrast the implementation of human rights laws in developed and developing countries for purposes of midwifing a better human rights global and national environment. The readings have provided me with a rare insight into the issue of human rights in the world (McMahon, & Ascherio, 2012). Contrary to my earlier belief and knowledge that the whole world had made tremendous progress in guaranteeing all populations of their fundamental rights, the readings have revealed that human rights violations are still common and they affect developing and developed states alike. The only problem is that in developed states, human rights violations mainly revolve around the need to guarantee national security to the people. By virtue of the readings, I now feel sad that members of minority groups are still bearing the brunt of prejudice perpetrated on them by majority groups. Vulnerable groups such as women, natives, children, and members of supposedly ‘inferior’ races should be more enlightened on their rights through state-sponsored affirmative actions in order to bring them at par with the rest of the society. The readings are important to public administrators because they expose human rights abuses in different countries and the dilemmas facing the international community in its attempt to rein in the problem without violating national sovereignty of the affected countries. As such, the readings enable public administrators to appreciate their better-placed position in preserving human rights within their respective jurisdictions. In conclusion, the readings injected a sense of responsibility in me as an administrator to take a proactive role in preserving the vulnerable people within society from human rights violations in the hands of irresponsible government agencies. The readings’ balanced approach triggers a multi-dimensional approach to the protection of human rights with all stakeholders in society being involved in the eradication of discrimination in not only nation-states but the world in general. As a public administrator, countries with reputable human rights records should act as example to states that are still struggling to guarantee these rights. References Andrássy, G. (2012). Freedom of Language: A Universal Human Right to Be Recognised. International Journal on Minority & Group Rights, 19(2), 195-232. Benjamin, D.O. (2010). Rethinking Nonintervention: The Challenge of the UN Charter and Protecting the Dispossessed. Public Integrity, 12(3), 201-218. De Schutter, O. (2012). The Role of Human Rights in Shaping International Regulatory Regimes. Social Research, 79(4), 785-818. Kim, E. (2012). Justifying Human Rights: Does Consensus Matter? Human Rights Review, 13(3), 261-278. McMahon, E., & Ascherio, M. (2012). A Step Ahead in Promoting Human Rights? The Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council. Global Governance, 18(2), 231-248. Read More