United States Key Role in Support of Human Rights

Human rights. Constitutional rights. Natural rights. What is real term and definition of human rights? The word human can be defined as a member of the homo sapiens species (man, woman or child). Rights are things that one is entitled to. Human rights are the rights you have simply because you’re human. Such examples are the right to live freely, simply being able to speak one’s mind and most importantly being treated equally. Human rights better known as universal rights is authorized to everyone and recently has been stressed and emphasized throughout American laws, society, and government.

Many nations face human rights violations due to political corruption and lack limitation of power. A common question many government officials encounter is how can American citizens watch speechlessly as many individuals are being denied their basic universal rights? Many have opposed this reasoning by questioning how effective international human rights interventions are and what are its some counteractive causatums of invading international nations. More importantly, should America’s responsibility primarily promote human rights around the world?

Hamlet once said, “it is better to bear those ills we have than fly to others that we know not of.” America centers itself on the notion of providing opportunity and equality for its people. Some might say that the United States should not and cannot waste resources attacking various nations different from its own. Without a doubt, this policy should not be relevant to such barbarism like world wars, genocides or annihilation where interference is much needed in order to avoid dysfunction and chaos. America can not tell other governments how to lead their countries. The United States’ duty is to fend for their citizens by a great degree, but attempting to intercede in issues caused by other governments would only be threatening the prosperity of their own. According to The Boston Globe in 2011, during the former president Barack Obama’s eight year term, Obama initiated American interference in both Libya and Sudan where national leaders like Moammar Khadafy and Omar al-Bashir (who have committed various acts of innocent killings and brutalities among their citizens) were killed and overthrown. A civil war soon broke out in Libya between rebels and the government. The US interposed in Libya to help help provide political and economic support towards Libyans, but due to no political outline plan for democracy the intervention did more damage than it ameliorated. Similarly, America’s plan was to divide Sudan into two countries: North and South Sudan. Sudan’s failure after independence was a result of not obtaining a stable political government in charge rather allowing terrorism and corruption to led these nations. Sudan and Libya are prime examples of how ineffective and useless American interposition with international affairs cause more harm than progress .

George Washington, founding father of the Declaration of Independence, first president of the United States and one the few creators of the United States opposed the idea of foreign intrusion. In Washington’s farewell address, he emphasized isolationism and avoiding alliances with European affairs and politics as he left office. Washington believed that obtaining a state of neutrality within European conflict would help strengthen the nation. This has proven to be effective because it allowed the nation to progress its economic issues. The United States idolizes our former political leaders and activists, but decided against George Washington’s advice and joined several international wars including World War I. World War I was sparked due to tensions between countries within the Balkan Peninsula which did not initially involve the US. After the United States joined the war, the country faced major debt which later on caused the stock market to crash and the Great Depression soon arose. Some might argue that the United States should steer its focus on human rights violations dealt incorrectly with the US. For example, in June of 2015 the US Supreme Court had to pass a law permitting same sex couples to marry one another. Even though, this law is still standing some same sex couples have received discrimination due to their sexual identity (Human Rights Watch). Another act of human rights violation is the corrupt criminal judicial system which holds drug offenses higher for African Americans than whites; an ongoing feud deeply rooted back to slavery.An issue still not resolved today, restricts the US from promoting human rights (Human Rights Watch). The United States ultimately is still struggling with maintaining all forms of equality. Although it may seem that American interposition can cause detrimental damage, a lot of improvements have been implemented in different fields.

Many believe that the international human rights law is one of America’s moral achievements. Recently, human rights violations remains relevant within the media and government. This has led to the discussion of human rights to continue to thrive and prosper. Despite the fact that people have always denounced government systems, human rights have been one of the main reasons as to why people dislike governments. Both superpower regions: the United States and Europe have recently condemned human rights violations in countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America and Africa. A large amount of people opine that the embodiment of the idea of human rights into international law has been one of the most influential and astounding accomplishments. The article, “The Long Read Case Against Human Rights ” written by Eric Posner from The Guardian states, “Because human rights law gives rights to all people regardless of nationality, it deprives governments of their traditional riposte when foreigners criticise them for abusing their citizens – namely “sovereignty” (which is law-speak for “none of your business”).” This implies that the human rights laws have failed to meet its objective in protecting its people.

Several nations like Korea (now known as North and South Korea) and Afghanistan were involved in United States’ plan in renovating developing nations. Considering the US failed attempts in Sudan and Libya, Korea and Afghanistan have improved greatly in education, economy, and military. In the 1950s, Korea was divided into two new countries North Korea and South Korea with the help of American military forces. Although improvements have been made to these nations such as education reforms and a renewed government, America sacrificed thousands of personnel and millions of dollars in order to better Korea. Another example of U.S involvement in foreign affairs was a plan to make urgent endeavor in 2011 to get Afghans to establish a strong democracy and education. Afghanistan run by terrorism and weak political leaders was in need of America’s interposition to aid Afghan’s corrupt government by implementing a democratic system. Many Afghans had limited health insurance, education and even basic human rights. Being that America is a well founded nation, government officials decided to help out third world countries in need of help. America wanted to provide similar rights that American citizens receive to the Afghan and Korean individuals who were limited to standard benefits from their government.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. … Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” The promotion of human rights throughout society has resulted in both positive and negative outcomes in some nations. What further steps need to be taken in countries who endure universal rights infractions? What responsibility does America have to promote human rights around the world?

Did you like this example?

1143

60