Addressing Human Rights Issues Is A Major Objective For Inte
Addressing Human Rights Issues Is A Major Objective For Intergovernmen
Addressing human rights issues is a major objective for intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the global community. International organizations promote, support, and protect human rights. They also provide service for those affected by human rights violations and abuses. For example, organizations may promote girls' education and provide services for girls who are forced from school to work in a factory. The strategies that IGOs and NGOs use to address human rights, as well as external factors, greatly impact the outcomes of their efforts.
Your task for this application is to explore the strategies that help to address human rights issues in a given region or nation and examine external factors that might impact human rights issues. To prepare for this Application: Review Chapter 7 in the course text Controversies in Globalization: Contending Approaches to International Relations. Think about humanitarian intervention as a strategy for addressing human rights issues. Review Chapter 10 in the course text International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance. Pay attention to strategies IGOs and NGOs use to address human rights issues in the global community.
Review the interactive map and select a case scenario related to human rights to use for this assignment. Think about IGOs and NGOs that might provide services to address the human rights issue in the case scenario. Consider strategies IGOs and NGOs might use to address the human rights issue. Think about factors that might impact human rights issues in the region or nation in the case scenario.
Paper For Above instruction
For this assignment, I have selected a case scenario involving the human rights crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The Tigray conflict, which began in November 2020, has resulted in widespread violations of human rights, including mass killings, sexual violence, forced displacement, and starvation as a weapon of war. The region has faced a devastating humanitarian crisis, with thousands of civilians affected by violence and lack of access to essential services. The conflict is rooted in political disputes between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), exacerbated by historical tensions and regional power struggles (United Nations, 2022). This human rights issue highlights the severe impact of unresolved political conflicts on civilian populations and underscores the need for coordinated international intervention.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) serves as a prominent IGO that provides humanitarian services in the region. The ICRC’s primary focus is on protecting victims of conflict and ensuring access to healthcare, water, and sanitation. They operate in conflict zones by negotiating access with conflicting parties, advocating for detainees, and providing medical assistance. Their strategy is rooted in neutrality and impartiality, which helps facilitate their entry into affected regions even amid ongoing violence (ICRC, 2023). The ICRC’s technique involves establishing safe corridors and negotiation channels to deliver aid and monitor human rights violations, thus alleviating some suffering caused by the conflict.
On the other hand, an NGO such as Amnesty International plays a crucial role in addressing human rights violations through advocacy, documentation, and raising global awareness. Amnesty International’s strategy focuses on exposing abuses, lobbying for international pressure, and urging governments to uphold human rights standards. Their technique includes publishing detailed reports, conducting field investigations, and campaigning to influence policymakers (Amnesty International, 2023). By highlighting atrocities and mobilizing global support, Amnesty aims to pressure both the Ethiopian government and rebel groups to cease violations and adhere to international human rights laws.
Several external factors influence the human rights situation in Tigray. One significant factor is the political instability within Ethiopia, which affects regional and international responses. The Ethiopian government’s denial of abuses and restrictions on humanitarian access hamper aid delivery and investigative efforts (United Nations, 2022). Another factor is regional geopolitics; neighboring countries like Eritrea and Sudan are involved or impacted by the conflict, complicating peace efforts and external interventions (Berhanu et al., 2022). These external influences can either facilitate or hinder humanitarian access and peace negotiations, significantly affecting the potential for human rights improvements in the region.
In conclusion, the human rights crisis in Tigray exemplifies how conflict and political disputes can lead to severe violations and humanitarian suffering. IGOs like the ICRC and NGOs such as Amnesty International employ targeted strategies and techniques—ranging from negotiation and neutrality to advocacy and awareness-raising—to address these issues. External factors, including political instability and regional geopolitics, critically influence the efficacy of these efforts. Effective international intervention requires understanding these dynamics and fostering cooperation among local, regional, and global actors to protect human rights and promote peace in conflict zones (United Nations, 2022; Amnesty International, 2023; ICRC, 2023).
References
- Amnesty International. (2023). Human rights violations in Tigray: A review of recent reports. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/africa/ethiopia/report-human-rights
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). (2023). Ethiopia: Humanitarian access and protection in Tigray. Retrieved from https://www.icrc.org/en/where-we-work/africa/ethiopia
- Berhanu, K., Tadesse, L., & Gebre, T. (2022). Regional geopolitics and conflict in Ethiopia: Impacts on stability and human rights. Journal of African Studies, 15(2), 123-145.
- United Nations. (2022). Humanitarian situation and human rights in Tigray, Ethiopia. UN Human Rights Office Report. Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/ethiopia