Unit 1 Questions

Please answer each of the following questions.  If you are taking this course in a group you may then meet to discuss your answers.

1. What principles and values lie at the heart of human rights?

2. What responsibility does the State have in relation to human rights?

3. What are some of the counter-arguments to claims that human rights are just western constructs?

4. Why was the 1993 World Conference important in the development of human rights?

Relevant Internet Resources    

ETC Human Security Manual on Understanding Human Rights:
http://www.etc-graz.at/human-security/manual/modules/Manual%20komplett.pdf

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
http://www.ohchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm

International Covenant on Economic, Social and  Cultural Rights
http://www.aprendelo.com.br/rec/international-covenant-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights.html

UN Charter
http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/index.html

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.udhr.org/

Vienna Declaration and Program of Action
http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/(Symbol)/A.CONF.157.23.En?OpenDocument