IR Debate No. 5: Human Rights: A Hollow Promise To The World?

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States make few efforts to promote and protect human rights. First and foremost, it is important to understand why human rights matter. Every man, woman, boy, and girl is created equal and bears the likeness of God. Fundamental human rights are endowed by God, not by government leaders. State human rights policies affirm that which is already true. 

The freedom of expression, right to life, the right to work and get an education, and freedom from slavery and torture all fall under the human rights category. Being generally agreed upon as beneficial principles, these rights also contribute to international norms. Most states say that human rights are good and they are working on them, but they are inconsistent. 

Inconsistency holds people and policies back. For example, the right to life is a human right and thus, in theory, it is supported by all democratic countries. However, abortion is still legal in 173 countries out of 195. Many of these nations restrict abortion, but that does not sway the fact that the right to life is widely ignored. (In nations that truly believe a baby is a priceless human being from the moment of conception, nothing short of total prohibition is logical). How can slightly less foundational human rights such as the right to education and protection of disadvantaged women be upheld if states don't stand for the basic right to life? 


Sources:

Human Rights, un.org

Herre, Bastian, and Roser, Max. Human Rights

Countries Where Abortion Is Illegal 2023 


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