Introduction Human rights are rights or entitlements that every human being has because of the reason being human, that denotes, the capacity for or possession of human dignity is seen as the ground for human rights. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to enjoy from the full benefit of human rights being human is the only requirement. Some people technically define human rights, as those 30 principles (rights) that exist under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A human right is a moral, none-transactionally grounded, moderately social context –insensitive, and difficult to alienate claim-right possessed in virtue of some aspect of the status of being human (Anthony R. Reeves, 2015: 407). A human right is not identical …show more content…
Thirty journalists and opposition members were convicted under the country’s vague Anti-terrorism proclamation of 2009.
Since the promulgation of the charities and civil societies proclamation in Ethiopia (CSO Law) in 2009, which regulates nongovernmental organizations and the Anti-Terrorism proclamation, freedom of expression, assembly, and association have been increasingly restricted in Ethiopia. The effect of these two laws, coupled with the government’s widespread and persistent harassment, threats and intimidation of civil societies, journalists and other who comment on sensitive issue or express views critical of government policy has been severe (Human Rights watch, 2013)
Today in Ethiopia, NGOs funded by foreign sources may no longer engage in human right advocacy. The current civil society organization law of Ethiopia imposes limitations on the activities of all civil society organizations that do not fit the CSO law’s definition of “Ethiopian” charities/societies. Under the CSO law, “Ethiopian” charities/societies are NGOs formed under Ethiopian law that consist exclusively of Ethiopians and receive no more than ten percent of their income from foreign sources
Ethiopia is one of the most unique among African countries for maintaining its freedom from colonial rule, with the short exception of an occupation by the Italians from 1936-1941. A socialist state was established in 1974 with the overthrow of Emperor Selassie, who had been in control since 1930. A junta or group of military officers called the Derg was responsible for the coup. Yet, this corrupt administration has lead only to warfare and wide scale public suffering. In 1991, the junta was finally brought down by a combination of revolutionary forces who called themselves the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front. In 1994, a constitution was drafted and 1995 marked Ethiopia’s first multiparty elections. Recently, a boarder feud with Eritrea, that lasted over 2 years, was ended in December of 2000; yet recent objections by Ethiopia have delayed a final declaration of border.
Since the Renaissance of the 15th century, societal views have evolved drastically. One of the largest changes has been the realization of individualism, along with the recognition of inalienable human rights.(UDHR, A.1) This means that all humans are equal, free, and capable of thought; as such, the rights of one individual cannot infringe on another’s at risk of de-humanizing the infringed upon. The fact that humans have a set of natural rights is not contested in society today; the idea of human rights is a societal construction based on normative ethical codes. Human rights are defined from the hegemonic standpoint, using normative ethical values and their application to the interactions of individuals with each other and state bodies. Human rights laws are legislature put in place by the governing body to regulate these interactions.
Human rights are the inborn and universal rights of every human being regardless of religion, class, gender, culture, age, ability or nationality, that ensure basic freedom and dignity. In order to live a life with self-respect and dignity basic human rights are required.
Williams, Robert E. "From Malabo to Malibu: Addressing Corruption and Human Rights Abuse in an African Petrostate." Human Rights Quarterly 33.3 (2011): 620,648,925. ProQuest. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
Ofcansky, Thomas, and LaVerle Berry. 2011. A Country Study: Ethiopia. Washington D.C.: The Library of Congress. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ettoc.html.
Indeed, human right is never just a legal matter as it also involves moral principles to justify its inalienable and non-transferable status. UDHR preamble states that human right is the “recognition of the inherent dignity”. That means we are entitled to human rights because we have inherent values to be pursued and realized. Human rights are originated in ourselves, but not conferred by law or others. If a society does not recognize those aforementioned justifications, human rights would be unsupported and a...
In conclusion, I think the framework and concept of Civil and Global Civil Societies are wonderful but what is important is knowledge and awareness so that, as much as possible, those who are supposed to receive the aid and support actually see it and benefit from it.
Ndegwa, N. S. (1996). The Two Faces of Civil Society: NGOs and Politics in Africa. United
The contemporary canon of human rights refers to the entire set of internationally recognized human rights declarations and conventions, beginning with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and including all of the subsequently drafted and enacted international human rights instruments, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Declaration on the Right to Development, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and several dozens of other international documents which identify and codify human rights norms. Given that each of these documents contain several dozen articles, many of which describe several, complex rights, all together there are probably well over one hundred things that can be identified as "human rights" based on the canon.
A general definition of human rights are that they are rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled to, simply because there human. It is the idea that ‘all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.’ The thought that human rights are universal emerges from the philosophical view that human rights are linked to the conservation of human dignity- that respect for individual dignity is needed regardless of the circumstance, leading to the notion that human rights are universal. The earliest form of human rights can be traced back to European history- the French Declaration on the Rights of Man and of Citizen which says that men are born free and equal in rights.
At end of the 20th Century, globalization began to change dynamics and include new significant actors such as NGOs and human rights groups. The increase in transitional justice actors developed as a result of limitations of the afore mentioned actors, these include the time constraints of UN missions and state unwillingness to allow the international community to make decisions for them. NGOs are able to address some of these constraints because they are non-political and can include both citizens of the state and international workers to achieve their goals. They typically do not have mandates, allowing them to provide assistance for as long as it is deemed necessary, and their focus is more society and victim based. This is not to say that NGOs should be seen as a replacement of other transitional justice actors, rather it shows the capabilities they have if allowed to work properly and can be a useful tool to work alongside other
First formed after 1990, focusing on issues of human rights, humanitarian aid, and good governance, civil society organizations (CSO) have been ineffective throughout their 27 year existence, having little to no result when it comes to political impact, social issues and human rights (CIVICUS 2010). This ineffectiveness can be in part attributed to one of the main legacies left behind by the communist regime; lack of trust and community among the population (Horne, 2012). In an ideal democracy described by Locke and Tocqueville, citizens should have faith in their institutions and be engaged in the political and civil life (Tocqueville, 1992). However in Albania exists this “anti-politics discourse” that has been concocted due to the failures of the previous and current governments to represent the people and that has induced a sense of apathy towards participation in political sphere and towards civic engagement (Bedini, 2010). These problems are persistent, as well prolonged by a poor educational system.
The other kind of International Organization (IO) is the NGO which are primarily non-profit private organizations that engage in a variety of international activities (Pease, 2012 p. 4). They are able to particip...
While there is no clear definition for ‘human rights’, it is possible to describe them as basic moral and legal rights that all people have, simply in virtue of their humanity. Although human rights are traditionally associated with being civil and political rights, they also include socioeconomic rights. Focusing on a political conception of human rights, it is important to note that not every question of social justice is a human rights issue. Despite UN declarations, many do not consider poverty a violation of human rights. Severe poverty, traditionally defined in terms of low income, concerns insecurity caused by a lack of resources. By the UN dividing its human rights law into two separate treaties, countries are able to endorse civil
…rights which are inherent to the human being ... human rights acknowledges that every single human being is entitled to enjoy his or her human rights without distinction as to race, [color], sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. [To add on, human] rights are legally guaranteed by human rights law, protecting individuals and groups against actions that interfere with fundamental freedoms and human dignity (Human rights for