This is meer of a rant than a well-thought out article, but since this here is called "soap-box", I am going to use it.
I'm currently writing my paper for my Human Rights class. Sometimes I come upon artikels that are so messed up...
I can understand artikels that argue for example for economic interests against human rights. I do not agree with those, but at least they have often an argumentation that makes sense.
But the artikel I just read... it was actually published in a booklet door Amnesty International. I have no idea why they put that in there. Maybe to toon how ridiculous some argumentations are.
So, the artikel deals with the vraag whether countries should pressure other countries to respect human rights.
The artikel goes like that:
* Nowadays with human rights are not only meant political and economic freedom as originally, but also social rights, and this is so wrong!
* If countries pressure for human rights, they will pressure for social rights.
* From advocating social rights it is only a small step to pressure for higher wages in developing countries!
* This will lead Western countries with high wages to force the developing countries to raise wages, so that the Western countries don't have to lower theirs in the competition!
* This will take away any development possibility for those countries!
Hence... advocating human rights is bad!
~~~
What a messed up argumentation! It's not like we're talking about advocacy against torture, child labor, arbitrary killings etc.
Besides, the Universal Declaration in 1948 already included both political and social human rights. It's completely wrong to say that it is a new idea. Western states just usually prefer to talk only about political rights.
The artikel is here door the way: link, but it's in German.
I'm currently writing my paper for my Human Rights class. Sometimes I come upon artikels that are so messed up...
I can understand artikels that argue for example for economic interests against human rights. I do not agree with those, but at least they have often an argumentation that makes sense.
But the artikel I just read... it was actually published in a booklet door Amnesty International. I have no idea why they put that in there. Maybe to toon how ridiculous some argumentations are.
So, the artikel deals with the vraag whether countries should pressure other countries to respect human rights.
The artikel goes like that:
* Nowadays with human rights are not only meant political and economic freedom as originally, but also social rights, and this is so wrong!
* If countries pressure for human rights, they will pressure for social rights.
* From advocating social rights it is only a small step to pressure for higher wages in developing countries!
* This will lead Western countries with high wages to force the developing countries to raise wages, so that the Western countries don't have to lower theirs in the competition!
* This will take away any development possibility for those countries!
Hence... advocating human rights is bad!
~~~
What a messed up argumentation! It's not like we're talking about advocacy against torture, child labor, arbitrary killings etc.
Besides, the Universal Declaration in 1948 already included both political and social human rights. It's completely wrong to say that it is a new idea. Western states just usually prefer to talk only about political rights.
The artikel is here door the way: link, but it's in German.
On 10 December:
Celebrate Human Rights dag and the 60the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Stand up with people all over the world who want to make human rights a reality for everyone.
Every human has rights. That is the essence of our humanity. It places on each of us the duty to stand up, not just for our own rights but also for those of others - and to help turn the vision of the UDHR into a reality. That is the spirit of international solidarity. That is the true meaning of universal, indivisible human rights.
On this significant anniversary, people will be gathering together in hundreds of places all over the globe, to light a candle, brand of flame as part of a mass demonstration. On Human Rights Day, stand up for human rights and toon your solidarity with people all over the world who are committed to making human rights a reality for everyone.
Celebrate Human Rights dag and the 60the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Stand up with people all over the world who want to make human rights a reality for everyone.
Every human has rights. That is the essence of our humanity. It places on each of us the duty to stand up, not just for our own rights but also for those of others - and to help turn the vision of the UDHR into a reality. That is the spirit of international solidarity. That is the true meaning of universal, indivisible human rights.
On this significant anniversary, people will be gathering together in hundreds of places all over the globe, to light a candle, brand of flame as part of a mass demonstration. On Human Rights Day, stand up for human rights and toon your solidarity with people all over the world who are committed to making human rights a reality for everyone.