Human Rights

Effects of the United Nations on Human Rights

The United Nations is an organization created at the end of World War 2 as a place to discuss international matters in peace and to solve problems diplomatically. During its years of existence the United Nations has dealt mostly with matters concerning peace keeping; but lately it has spread its influence over many different issues including the protection of Human Rights. In the many cases of Human Right violations that the United Nations handled, it was generally successful in preventing any further instances and punishing the government/organization responsible for the violation.

The greatest tool in preventing these violations that the United Nations has put into play is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document signed December 10th, 1948 was a guideline for all future cases on the issue. It outlines the basic human rights of man and gave a starting point for any country attempting to create a bill of rights. As the document, it was very specific thus there was little need for improvement and it has been almost unchanged since its creation. The first article of the declaration states, "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights" (Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1). By giving equality to all human beings, the declaration immediately alleviates any loopholes that may be used to undermine the authority of the document. The declaration prevents exemptions from this article to those countries that consider part of their population to not be a part of the general term, man. In many societies women are also considered to be below the status of being part of mankind and are therefore exempt from any legislature directed through that word. The proceeding is also prevented by the second article that supports the first by stating that all are subject to the rights set forth in this document. Finally the document states the ever-important right of Life, Liberty and Security. By outlining these basic rights the United Nations has outlawed the following; Homicide and manslaughter, the violation of the right to life in any human being; Suppression of freedom of speech, the right of liberty is the right of speaking about your government freely, taking that away is taking your liberty; and finally slavery, a slave has no security and never will, therefore slavery is forever outlawed along with the preceding. This single amendment covers such a broad range that it is almost impossible to find a way around. Although the Declaration has been implemented and accepted almost everywhere, there are still countries that are have not conformed to the ideals outlined in this Declaration.

There are many of countries in Africa where human rights violations are occurring in gross quantities, even today. One of these many countries is Zaire. "United Nations human rights investigators had charged that soldiers loyal to Laurent Kabila, during his push to overthrow dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, massacred Rwandan Hutu refugees in 1996 and 1997" (Vo 1). These charges were immediately reported to the Zaire government and an investigative report was demanded. Immediate action is how the United Nations handles situations, by letting the world know of wrongdoing it puts the accused party in the spotlight and forces them, without force, to succumb, and possibly reverse the crime. Security Council members are giving Kabila a chance to reform his ways but if he doesn't, the United Nations will act immediately and send an investigative team. Later, a United Nations special reporter was sent to investigate and reported many issues which were previously unknown. The reporter suggested that the government should put an end to incitement of ethnic hatred and requested the rebel forces to comply with international law applicable to internal affairs. By saying this, the reporter is implying that if the international law is not followed, international actions will be taken. This again puts the people responsible under pressure to change their ways. Although the people of Congo disagree with the reporter and are convinced the matter is internal; the United Nations is sure to follow with a disciplinary action. The reporter also believes that Human Rights improvements have been slow due to the ongoing wars in the Congo and so the United Nations will be supporting its peacekeeping troops in the area to kill two birds with one stone.

Another problematic country in Africa is Burundi. According to the reports, there has been no reply from the Burundi authorities in regards to the issues brought forth by the special reporter. The issues set forth here are as follows. The government militia needs to be under stricter control for the purpose of preventing its abuse of authority. It has been reported, that the conditions of the detentions centers and penal facilities are abysmal, thus reforms are urgently needed. In addition, it has also been proposed that foster child rights legislature needs to be set up. For all these reforms to be worked into the general reform plan of Burundi, the country needs funding. The United Nations had therefore decided on the following actions. Economic sanctions on Burundi have been lifted; by removing these sanctions a new flow of money will be inbound to Burundi to fund reforms and reconstruction. With more income, the government will be able to improve conditions in penal colonies and create foster homes. Having removed many problems and creating a stable economic environment, the lifting of these sanctions will have also created a safer political setting in which democracy will be able to thrive. Transition measures by the government will also have been a contributor to the forming of a republic. With economy and politics stabilized the next step towards peace is the pacification of radical fundamentals. Without opposition to the government a democracy will surely arise. Therefore the United Nations has created a perfect environment for the healing of the country, and therefore, through reforms, a prevention of further infringements on human rights.

The general United Nations influence in Africa is based on the fact that the Security Council thinks that words will be enough. By calling African governments to investigate their own crimes against humanity the Human rights commissions in Africa trying to indicate that the United Nations is only a guiding force and that, in the end, it is up to the countries themselves to handle their issues. The third article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights outlines the right to liberty of all peoples which includes these African nations. The United Nations is trying to give each of these countries their liberty in the form of self-reliance. Since the United Nations has never strived to be an authoritative figure it believes diplomatic influence is