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Evolution of International Human Rights: Past, Present, and Future

Discover the journey of human rights from the early stages to the establishment of international conventions and courts. Explore landmark events, like the Nuremberg Trials, and the role of national laws in prosecuting crimes against humanity. Learn about the rights of women and ongoing efforts to achieve justice and accountability worldwide.

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Evolution of International Human Rights: Past, Present, and Future

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  1. International Human Rights

  2. Early history • 1865 Confederate soldiers executed for executing prisoners • 1915 Allied Powers charge govt of Turkey with “crimes against humanity”

  3. Geneva Conventions • A series of 4 conventions beginning in 1860s, and in force since 1949 • Article 3 prohibits mistreatment of prisoners, including torture and “degrading and humiliating treatment” • Treatment of non-signatories?

  4. 1948--Universal Declaration of Human Rights • personal, social, legal, and political rights • followed by dozens of other international conventions

  5. After WWII, War Crimes Tribunals established in Tokyo and Nuremburg • Following orders no defense • Crimes were attacking countries at peace

  6. Genocide • 1949 Convention passed GA against “Genocide” after Armenian and Jewish genocides • Extermination in whole or in part • Preventing reproduction • Transferring children • obligates international action • 1986 Senate ratifies convention

  7. Genocide • Cambodia • Yugoslavia • Rwanda • and now http://video.on.nytimes.com/ifr_main.jsp?nsid=a3f1beb18:10c2bb17bbd:27dd&fr_story=c2019d50a4479b0245dddf3b513daa7eba46cd9e&st=1151792575888&mp=FLV&cpf=false&fr=070106_062146_3f1beb18x10c2bb17bbdx2746&rdm=720432.7126377582 • Sudan • weak UN or international responses

  8. Also National laws • American, Belgian, and other national laws allow prosecutions of crimes committed elsewhere • American law--even non-citizens can sue people who have entered the US for crimes committed elsewhere

  9. International Courts • In the 90’s, tribunals for war crimes committed in Yugoslavia and Rwanda • establishing precedent of holding leaders accountable

  10. ICC • 2002 permanent International Criminal Court established • US refuses to ratify

  11. Pinochet • 1998 arrested in England for extradition to Spain • British court held no immunity for head of state • Released due to failing health • Currently under investigation in Chile for murder and fraud

  12. Saddam Hussein • Is held by American military, but tried by Iraqi special tribunal

  13. Charles Taylor • Is being tried in special Sierra Leone Court, organized by UN, take place at ICC in Hague • Serve sentence in Britain (if convicted)

  14. Special case before ICJ (World Court) • Bosnia suing Serbia

  15. Ending conflicts • South Africa’s “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” • Also in many other countries: Argentina, Algeria, Chile, El Salvador, Liberia, East Timor, US, etc

  16. Rights of Women • http://video.on.nytimes.com/ifr_main.jsp?nsid=a3f1beb18:10c2bb17bbd:27dd&fr_story=c2019d50a4479b0245dddf3b513daa7eba46cd9e&st=1151792575888&mp=FLV&cpf=false&fr=070106_062146_3f1beb18x10c2bb17bbdx2746&rdm=720432.7126377582 • http://select.nytimes.com/packages/khtml/2006/01/22/opinion/20060122_KRISTOF_VIDEO.html

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