Week 1: Human Rights and the Rule of Law

Introduction

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

– Thomas Jefferson

Some of you are probably familiar with Jefferson's famous words from the Declaration of Independence. In the United States, these words point to a founding principle, individual rights and freedoms, which are held in the highest regard. Citizens of democratic republics such as the United States have come to expect that these rights and freedoms are not only unconditional, but are protected by the government. In the global community such rights and freedoms are also recognized as human rights.

Beginning to conceptualize human rights might be helpful as you begin to think about topics for your Capstone Project. In selecting your topic, you might be prompted to consider connections between human rights and criminal justice. You also might wonder what constitutes human rights and why they are necessary. How are human rights protected in other parts of the world? What role does the rule of law and international justice play when it comes to protecting human rights? This week you will consider these questions and more as you explore how human rights and the rule of law relate to international justice. You also will select a Capstone Project topic that is valid and important to you.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this week, you should be able to:

Explain how human rights and the rule of law relate to international justice

Identify a Capstone Project topic

Explain the validity and importance of a Capstone Project topic

BELOW ARE LINKS TO RESEARCH READING MATERIAL I DO NOT HAVE THE BOOK FOR THIS COURSE SO WE WILL HAVE TO DO OUR ABSOLUTE BEST WITHOUT IT. MAKE SURE YOU READ ALL DETAILS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WILL BE NEEDED ON THIS ASSIGNMENT. ALSO ALL OF YOUR REFERENCES WILL HAVE TO BE CITED FROM TEXT BOOK ONLY I HAVE ATTACHED THE ENTIRE COURSE SYLLABUS FOR THE 6 WEEK COURSE SO THAT YOU CAN FOLLOW ALONG EACH WEEK OF WHAT WILL BE NEEDED TO DO. ALSO THERE WILL BE NO SAMPLE PAPERS FOR THIS COURSE EXCEPT FOR THE CAPSTONE PAPER FOR WEEK 5. SO EVERYTHING YOU DUE EACH WEEK WILL BE FROM SCRATCH AND ALL DISCUSSION QUESTION WILL BE 150 TO 200 WORD COUNT WITH REFERENCE CITED FROM TEXTBOOK ONLY IF YOU SHOULD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR OTHER CONCERNS PLEASE MESSAGE ME AND I WILL GET BACK TO YOU WHEN I’M NOT BUSY THANKS..

Resources

Access Resources

Learning Resources

Please read and view (where applicable) the following Learning Resources before you complete this week's assignments.

Media:

Walden University, LLC. (2010). Map of international human rights violations around the world. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Copyright 2010, /Walden University, LLC

Click on the above link to view a map indicating areas where human rights violations occur. Click on each flashing icon to learn about violations specific to those areas.

Note: For a transcript of this map, please click here Click for more options.

Readings

Review Course Preview and read Course Introduction (located in the left navigation bar)

Course Text: Donnelly, J. (2013). Universal human rights in theory and practice (3rd ed.). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

Chapter 1, "The Concept of Human Rights"

Chapter 2, "The Universal Declaration Model"

Chapter 4, "Equal Concern and Respect"

Article: Scheffer, D. J. (2003). Beyond occupation law. The American Journal of International Law, 97(4), 842 – 860.

Article: United Nations. (1948). The universal declaration of human rights. Retrieved from

Article: United Nations. (n.d.). United Nations and the rule of law. Retrieved from

Optional Resources

Article: The National Archives. (1776). The declaration of independence [Transcription]. Retrieved from

Discussion – Week 1

Understanding Human Rights and the Rule of Law

The broad concept of human rights involves rights and freedoms afforded to every human being. Most advocates of human rights support the philosophy that not only are some rights unconditional, but that they also must be universally applied. For example, equal treatment of individuals under the law is a human right that is a fundamental principle of most human rights movements. Yet, there are nations, governments, and regimes around the globe that regularly violate this basic tenet of human rights. The rule of law consists of laws under which society functions. Laws related to human rights should protect citizens from human rights violations. Nations and governments are expected to apply the rule of law (human rights laws) equally and without prejudice to prevent human rights violations and to provide justice to victims of human rights violations. In some instances, nations and governments commit human rights violations or fail to uphold human rights laws. In such instances, human rights violators can be brought to justice by international courts.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Review the Course Introduction, located in the navigation bar on the left. Refer back to the Course Introduction as you move through the course.

Review Chapters 1, 2, and 4 in your course text, Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice focusing on the concepts of human rights and international justice.

Review the article "United Nations and the Rule of Law." Focus on how the rule of law relates to human rights.

Review the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" on the United Nations website. Focus on the rights and freedoms highlighted within.

Review the article, "Beyond Occupation Law." Pay attention to issues related to human rights and international justice that might arise when occupation law is applied.

Use the map to view human rights violations around the globe. Pay attention to the types of violations experienced in different nations.

Think about your understanding of human rights and the rule of law.

Consider how human rights and the rule of law relate to international justice.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post brief description of your understanding of human rights and the rule of law. Be sure to provide examples of each from your own community (nation, province, state, etc.) Then, explain how these concepts relate to your personal perception of international justice.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.