Universality of human rights by Meg https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm en-us 2017-06-01 01:17:10 UTC 2019-06-04 04:41:54 UTC hello@padlet.com State sovereignty and national interests undermine UN efforts to address human rights issues https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm/wish/264118793 A state in pursuit of national interests and sovereignty often undermines the UN's effort to address human rights issues in the global community. As seen in 1979 with the adoption of The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the UN described the agreement as the international bill of rights for women. The agreement saw the term 'discrimination against women' mean any distinction, exclusive or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect of impairing the enjoyment by women, irrespective of their marital status on a basis of equality of men and women. Saudi Arabia joined the agreement in the aim to change the difference of sexes, despite having multiple cultural beliefs preventing the rights of women. In 2013 the state promised to abolish the guardianship system, however to this day the system is still in place with women not being allowed to open a bank account without her husbands permission. While change by the UN and women of Saudi  Arabia wish to see change meany males in the state believe that women 'being stubborn won't support their cause', says a Saudi journalist. Although the UN have made movements towards equality for women, the state continues to put their best interest first, even though they are signatories of the agreement. 
- Jessie ]]> 2018-05-29 00:08:55 UTC https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm/wish/264118793 Religious rights are more important than human rights. https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm/wish/264123890 Religious rights have traditionally been deemed as more important than human rights in some states through the oppression of women. However, the international movement towards enforcing international law above religious law shows that society sees human rights as more important than religious rights. The implementation of the guardianship system, driving ban and strict dress code which oppress Saudi Arabian women show that in some states religious rights take priority, however these have been criticised by the international community, suggesting that human rights are becoming more of a priority. The cultural and legal pressures on Saudi women to obey the social norms stem from Sharia Law, the motivation behind the state’s sexism. Though many women in Saudi Arabia wear a fully covering abaya out of devotion to their Muslim faith, many do it out of fear of arrest and condemnation. Organisations such as the International Women’s Rights Action Watch which was founded only in 1985 show the global movement towards empowering and freeing women from sexist systems which deny them equal rights to men. Similarly, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) evidence the global community’s stance on women’s rights equalling human rights, a high priority for IGO’s such as the UN and ICC and NGO’s including Human Rights Watch, as reflected in their Human Rights Council (OHCHR) and UN Women branch. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia’s release of a Saudi woman one day after she was arrested for violating the Islamic dress code with an “immodest” skirt reflects the state’s slow submittal to Western standards of human rights which are pressuring states to award equality and freedom to women. 
- Leonie

]]> 2018-05-29 00:51:38 UTC https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm/wish/264123890 Religious right are more important than human rights! https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm/wish/264428617 Human rights which are outlined within declarations and treaties, are implemented for states to adopt. Human rights are ultimately more important to adhere to, in comparison to religious rights. Rights are ultimately drawn up, to then be used within human nature, which encourages the abolishment of prioritizing religious rights over human rights. 
 
Saudi Arabia have adopted their own religious rights, reflected in Sharia Law. This law encourages women to be discriminated against, be sexually assaulted, and must grant permission for her rights. The Convention of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) reflects human rights, that should be followed in Saudi Arabia instead of their Sharia Law. Despite Saudi Arabia ratifying CEDAW in 2000, they are yet to adhere to it. As a result of their law applying Sharia Law, women experience it to “mess your head”, as well as raise her son, to then be her “guardian”. In addition, these religious rights do not comply with human rights, as of only 2018 were women legalised to drive. Despite the legalisation, they still must have permission to do so. 
 
Globalisation has urged Saudi Arabia to apply human rights, and then stop discrimination and any torturous activities related to women. Prince Mohammad of Saudi Arabia aims to “expand women’s rights”. By doing so, he intends for his states “international reputation” to be uplifted. Therefore, it is predictable that the prince will be issuing women’s rights such as the right to education, the right to end violence and discrimination will be applied within their state. Human rights has more significance as it allows women to have more freedom, and barely any restrictions. It allows demonstrates a sense of acceptance within society, and equality. Living with human rights also allows Saudi Arabia women to compare themselves with women whom are in other states, and have human rights. 
 
Religious rights are not outlined within treaties, and therefore undermines the state’s law. State’s and declarations insist for human rights to be applied within states. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia should ban Sharia Law, and allow women’s rights to be reflected by CEDAW.
- Ash xx
]]> 2018-05-30 04:20:51 UTC https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm/wish/264428617 The UN's failure to protect females from the cultural practice FGM. https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm/wish/264457112 QUICK NOTE: I didn't realise we had set prompts to respond to, so I made up my own! WHOOPS SOZ.

The UN has failed in their efforts to irradiate the cultural practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). The UN has made considerable headway when it comes to making FGM illegal in many states, as well as recognising FGM as a form of discrimination and torture, able to be punished under several UN treaties. Despite this, these actions have culminated to almost no meaningful ramifications. This is largely due to the disconnect between the law and culture, in countries such as Africa in which over 3 million women and girls are expected to undergo FGM in the next year. This number, alarming in its magnitude, has “steadily increased since the global recognition of the atrocities of FGM.” It can be affirmed that this statistic correlates with the often-arduous task of instilling human rights universally. Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that no person shall be subject to “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.” This article directly contradicts Article 27, that protects the “cultural life of the community” and the resulting practices. This affirms that despite considerable efforts by the UN, their own mechanisms and declarations have largely limited their ability to ensure a safe environment for women and girls who are at risk of undergoing FGM.
- Elisha.]]> 2018-05-30 07:43:17 UTC https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm/wish/264457112 State sovereignty and national interests undermine UN efforts to address human rights issues https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm/wish/264660328 The ability of a state to maintain control of their own people and borders in order to hold authority in the global arena will continually undermine UN efforts to address human rights issues. Dependent of the objective of a state’s national interest determines the adherence to and legal enforcement of UN treaties and international law, and can be seen with both a positive and negative response to The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) by the state of Saudi Arabia. While they are signatories to the convention and have been seen to implement it in the ‘Women to Drive’ campaign, however the state has maintained that the convention shall only be followed to the extent that it does not interfere with Sharia law. This means that cultural systems, such as the guardianship system, creates mechanisms that still act in the oppression of women which and although it is against the convention, it still occurs because it is believed to uphold Sharia law. Even though Saudi Arabia has adopted this UN convention, the effectiveness of the convention is limited by the national interest of upholding Sharia law. 
- Caitlin]]> 2018-05-31 00:38:43 UTC https://padlet.com/meganbsnell/z3ui5fcbhhkm/wish/264660328