Studied by 10 people
Cultural Relativism
The view that ethical and social standards reflect the cultural context from which they are derived, asserting that cultures differ fundamentally from one another, leading to varying moral frameworks within societies.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
A milestone document in human rights history, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, setting out fundamental human rights to be universally protected, emphasizing justice, liberty, and equality.
Ethnocentrism
The belief that one's own culture or group is superior to others, often leading to discriminatory practices or legislation favoring one culture over another.
Human Rights
Rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or social status, encompassing civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
Separation of Powers
A system of government where distinct branches (executive, legislative, judiciary) are separate, ensuring a balance of power and preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant.
Responsibility to Protect
Legal concept allowing states to intervene in other states to protect individuals at risk of harm, emphasizing the duty to prevent and halt mass atrocities.
Collective Human Rights
Rights held by groups based on identified group characteristics, ensuring protection and recognition of group-specific rights.
Judicial
Connected to or guaranteed by the legal aspects of a government system, ensuring legal protection and enforcement of rights.
Empowerment
The ability for citizens to be involved in decision-making processes, enhancing participation and influence in governance.
Injustice
A situation where individuals are treated unfairly and denied their rights, highlighting the violation of fundamental human rights.
Cultural relativism
Belief that each culture determines what is right or wrong.
Absence of absolute truths
Idea that cultural relativism stems from the belief that there are no absolute truths or objective morality.
Different moral standards
Notion that different cultures have varying moral standards.
Sati
Hindu widow-burning custom in India.
William Carey
Christian missionary who campaigned against Sati.
Secular dilemma
Cultural relativism poses a dilemma for secular individuals.
Child marriages
Example of the conflict between feminism and cultural relativism.
Undermining universal human rights
Cultural relativism undermines the possibility of universal human rights if there are no absolute truths transcending culture.
Real-life examples challenge cultural relativism
Practices like Sati, child marriages, and Female Genital Mutilation expose the limitations of cultural relativism.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
Established to take action against atrocious crimes with global support.
Court of last resort
The ICC prosecutes individuals for serious crimes if governments fail to do so.
Symbol of hope
The ICC represents hope for victims of atrocities.
Independent and impartial
The ICC operates independently from governments and the UN Security Council.
Victim-centered Court
Victims of grave crimes can participate in ICC proceedings and receive reparations.
Equality before the law
The ICC allows bringing all individuals, including leaders, to justice for international crimes.
Progress in justice
The ICC has made significant progress in holding high-level perpetrators accountable.
Prevention of crimes
ICC investigations and prosecutions contribute to preventing serious crimes.
Access to justice
The ICC increases access to justice for victims of grave crimes.
Involvement of states in governance
States have an equal vote in shaping the future of international criminal justice through the ICC.
Selective justice
Criticism of the ICC for its selective focus on African cases and potential political influences.
ICC Criticisms
Selectivity, damaging peace process, imposing European justice model on Africans
ICC Communications
Received 240 regarding Iraq invasion, no investigation initiated
ICC Ignored Crimes
Western security companies in Iraq
ICC Non-Pursuit
Cases in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza, Occupied Territories in Palestine
ICC Impartiality
Questioned in Uganda
ICC vs
Different approaches in Uganda-DRCongo conflict
REDRESS
"Fighting for a world without torture"
REDRESS Criticisms
Funding constraints, limited systemic impact
REDRESS Successes
Aksoy V. Turkey case, UN OPCAT act contribution
MSF Criticisms
Political neutrality, neglecting regions, lack of worker safety action
MSF Successes
Ebola outbreak response, AIDS/HIV programs, surgical interventions
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Flashcard (33)