SS REVIEWER

Terrorism - is the use of violence, threats, or intimidation, typically against civilians, in order to achieve political, ideological, or religious objectives. It aims to instill fear and disrupt normal life in a society.

• Bruce Hoffman is an American political analyst specializing in the study of terrorism and counterterrorism, insurgency and counter-insurgency. 

Different forms of Terrorism:

• Ethnic terrorism - is different from terrorism organized in the name of ideology, religion, or economic development 

• Daniel Byman (2002) - He believes that religion has a great influence on terrorism, but ethnic terrorism is different.

• (Eusaquito Manalo): Ideological terrorism - is based on the needs and goals of a group, which it satisfies by means of violence ◦ their ideology might be related to religion and politics 

• Dr. Magnus Ranstorp (2000): Religious terrorism - is a form of political violence driven by spiritual crisis or reaction to changes in society and politics

Terrorism in the Different Parts of the World 

1. Afghanistan: Taliban remains the most active terrorist group in Afghanistan, however, the Khorasan Chapter of the Islamic State, the ISIL-affiliate active in Afghanistan, was the second deadliest terror group in the country.

2. Iraq: Iraq maintained its position as the second most impacted country by terrorism. 

3. Nigeria: Terror-related incidents also fell by 27%, marking the lowest level of terrorist violence in Nigeria since 2011. 

4. Syria: This increase in terrorist activity was primarily driven by an increase in attacks by the three deadliest groups in Syria: -ISIL, -the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and -Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). 

5. Somalia: Al-Shabaab was responsible for 88 per cent of all deaths in 2019, which resulted in 503 fatalities. 

6. Yemen: Yemen also experienced a 67% increase in total terrorist attacks, driven primarily by an increase in violence by Ansar Allah. ◦Ansar Allah was the deadliest terror group in Yemen for the fourth consecutive year, accounting for 75 per cent of deaths from terrorism. However, Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) also remains in active conflict in the region.

7. Pakistan: Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was the deadliest terror group in 2019, overtaking the Khorasan Chapter of the Islamic State.

8. India: Compared to other countries amongst the ten most impacted, India faces a wider range of terrorist groups, with Islamist, communist, and separatist groups active across the country.

9. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Terror-related incidents also rose from 135 in 2018 to 213 in 2019, marking a 58% increase. 

Notable Incidents: 

• 2019: Christchurch Mosque Shootings (New Zealand) - A white supremacist attacked two mosques, killing 51 worshippers and injuring dozens. 

• 2020: Kabul Maternity Ward Attack (Afghanistan) - In May 2020, gunmen attacked a maternity ward run by Médecins Sans Frontières, killing 24 people, including newborns.

• 2021: Jihadist Attacks in Burkina Faso - One of the deadliest incidents occurred in Solhan, where extremists killed over 160 civilians, including children.  

• 2022: Kramatorsk Railway Station Bombing (Ukraine) - Amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a missile attack on a crowded railway station killed over 50 people, including children.  

• 2023: Peshawar Mosque Bombing (Pakistan) - A suicide bombing in a Shiite mosque during Friday prayers killed over 100 people.

• 2024: Guzara Bombing (Afghanistan) - In October 2024, an explosion in a market in Guzara killed dozens, with ISIS claiming responsibility.

Discrimination

• Definition: Discrimination refers to the unfair or unequal treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, disability, or other protected traits.
  
  

• Types of Discrimination:
  
  

  • Racial and Ethnic Discrimination: Treating individuals unfairly based on their race or ethnicity, which can manifest as racism, xenophobia, or racial profiling.

  • Gender Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on gender, often manifesting as sexism. Women, transgender individuals, and gender-nonconforming people are frequently targets of gender-based discrimination.

  • Age Discrimination: Treating people unfairly due to their age, especially in workplaces where older or younger individuals may face bias.

  • Disability Discrimination: Prejudice or unequal treatment of individuals with physical or mental disabilities. This includes accessibility issues and employment discrimination.

  • Religious Discrimination: Negative treatment based on religious beliefs, leading to marginalization, persecution, or exclusion (e.g., Islamophobia, anti-Semitism).

  • Ageism: is stereotyping and/or discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age.

• Consequences of Discrimination:
  
  

  • Physical – loss or gain in weight, lack of energy or appetite, difficulty in sleeping, stress-related diseases, headache, lack of personal hygiene

  • Emotional – low self-esteem, depression, stress, fear, anger, humiliation, blaming of self, different behavior problems

  • Social: being alone, relying on others for support, use of drugs, excessive alcohol drinking, non-recognition of rights, keeping distance from relatives, friends, or society

  • Intellectual: narrow mindedness, lack of motivation to study or work, lack of skills and knowledge, development of false beliefs

Multiculturalism

• Definition: Multiculturalism is the idea or policy that encourages the coexistence of diverse cultures, beliefs, and ethnic groups within a single society. It acknowledges and values the contributions of different cultures to the broader community.
  
  

• Advantages:
  
  

  • Enriched Society: Cultural diversity can enrich societies by introducing new ideas, foods, art, languages, and practices.

  • Innovation: Exposure to different ways of thinking can lead to greater creativity and innovation in various fields such as business, science, and the arts.

  • Global Perspective: A multicultural society is more open to global cooperation, trade, and diplomacy, as people are accustomed to different cultures and viewpoints.

• Challenges:
  
  

  • Cultural Clashes: Differences between cultural practices and beliefs can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts if not managed properly.

  • Integration vs. Segregation: Striking a balance between respecting cultural diversity and ensuring social cohesion can be difficult. Failure to integrate may lead to segregation and social tensions.

  • Racism and Xenophobia: Multiculturalism can provoke fear or resentment from individuals who feel their own culture or identity is threatened by the presence of foreign or different groups.

Issues on Human Rights

• Definition: Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections that every person is entitled to, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, or other factors. These rights ensure dignity, equality, and justice for all individuals.

• Kinds of Rights 

1.) Innate or Natural Rights - inherent and for all 

• Ex. : right to life, liberty, privacy, and the pursuit of happiness to have one’s own name and identity • right to develop oneself in physical, mental, and spiritual aspects 

2. Rights Mandated by Law (Classified into: - Constitutional Rights - Statutory Rights) 

Constitutional Rights: are mandated, granted, and protected by the Constitution of the country • amended, changed, or removed through constitutional amendments 

Statutory Rights: are mandated by laws approved and ratified by Congress or lawmakers 

• Ex. • Right to receive a salary not lower than the minimum wage • Right to inherit property • Right to free education

Categories of Rights According to Law:

Civil Liberties/Rights: innate and not created by law but are preserved by law 

• Right to live peacefully • Right to have freedom of speech, assembly, abode or to choose where to live • Right against discrimination • Right to be free to travel • Right to choose a religion • Right to enter into any agreement

Political Rights:

• Right to vote and participate in political processes and to be able to hold public office • Right to petition

Economic Rights:

• Freedom to choose and pursue livelihood, business, and a decent lifestyle according to one’s desired or preferred career • Right to own property, to amass wealth

Social or Cultural Rights: 

• Freedom to participate in living out one’s beliefs • Freedom in continuing and enhancing one’s own traditions and customs  • Right to establish or join any organization and right to marry 

Rights of the Accused:

• Right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty • Right to remain silent • Right to be free from inhumane and unlawful punishment

Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an international document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly that enshrines the rights and freedoms of all human beings.

Rights of Children, The Rights of Women in Philippine Society, Some Rights of Indigenous People According to the Declaration of the United Nations 

Distinguishing Rights from Privileges: A right is something that cannot be legally denied, such as the rights to free speech, press, religion, and raising a family. A privilege is something that can be given and taken away and is considered to be a special advantage or opportunity that is available only to certain people.

• Key Human Rights Issues:
  
  

  • Right to Life and Liberty: The right to live and to be free from arbitrary detention or execution is a fundamental human right.

  • Freedom of Expression: The right to freely express one's ideas, opinions, and beliefs, including the right to access information.

  • Right to Education: Access to education is a fundamental right that empowers individuals and is essential for the development of societies.

  • Freedom of Religion: The right to practice one's religion or belief system without persecution or discrimination.

  • Gender Equality: Women and girls continue to face challenges in achieving equality in many parts of the world, including access to education, employment, and equal legal rights.

  • Refugee and Migrant Rights: Refugees and migrants are often denied basic human rights, including the right to seek asylum and the right to live without fear of deportation.

  • LGBTQ+ Rights: Discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals continue to be serious global issues, with many countries criminalizing same-sex relationships or denying marriage equality.

Why do the following groups of people have special rights? 

CHILDREN: According to the article II Section 13 mandates, the Child and Youth welfare Code was created in order to protect the rights of children. Their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being shall be promoted and protected as a result of this. Because children rely on adults for the nurturing and supervision they require to achieve independence. The right to health, education, family life, a decent standard of living, and protection from abuse and damage are all rights that children have.

WOMEN: Many years ago, women were denied equal human rights as the opposite gender. Due to this matter, countries have formed several special rights for women over the years, with the help of different organizations. • Some of the many reasons why women have special rights are to protect them from violence and entitle them to making their own decisions, especially when it comes to their reproductive rights. Sadly, many women's rights still remain at risk in several places.

Gender and Sexuality

• Gender: Gender refers to the roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men, women, and other gender identities. Gender is distinct from biological sex, which refers to a person’s physical characteristics (e.g., male or female).
  
  

• Sexuality: Sexuality encompasses an individual’s sexual orientation, sexual preferences, and sexual behavior. It includes how individuals experience and express their sexual desires and attractions.
  
  

• Key Concepts:
  
  

  • Gender Identity: A person’s internal sense of their gender, which may or may not align with the gender they were assigned at birth (e.g., cisgender, transgender, non-binary).

  • Sexual Orientation: Refers to the type of people one is attracted to, such as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual.

  • Gender Roles: The societal expectations for how men, women, and other genders should behave, dress, and interact. These roles can restrict personal freedom and contribute to inequality.

  • LGBTQ+: Stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (or questioning), with the "+" symbol recognizing other sexual identities such as asexual, pansexual, and intersex.

• Issues:
  
  

  • Gender Inequality: Women and gender-nonconforming individuals continue to face systemic discrimination, including wage disparities, limited access to leadership positions, and gender-based violence.

  • Sexual Orientation Discrimination: LGBTQ+ individuals often face legal, social, and economic discrimination, including criminalization of same-sex relationships in some countries.

  • Transgender Rights: Transgender individuals face unique challenges, including discrimination in healthcare, employment, and legal recognition of their gender identity.

  • Sexual Harassment and Violence: Gender-based violence, including sexual assault and harassment, is a widespread issue, disproportionately affecting women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

• Progress and Advocacy:
  
  

  • Gender Equality Movements: Movements like feminism and the LGBTQ+ rights movement have worked to promote equality and end discrimination against marginalized genders and sexual orientations.

  • Legal Protections: Laws in many countries now protect against discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation, although enforcement and application can vary widely.

  • Social Change: Ongoing efforts to challenge traditional gender norms and reduce social stigma related to sexuality are key to advancing equality and respect for human dignity.