Crime - Human Rights And State Crimes

Question 1

What are human rights?

Answer 1

Basic entitlements of all people to things such as education, healthcare, and freedom of speech.

Human rights are universal standards that protect individuals from abuses and ensure dignity.

Question 2

What are human rights crimes?

Answer 2

Crimes that violate people’s basic human rights, such as torture and denial of a safe and fair trial.

Human rights crimes often involve state actions against individuals.

Question 3

What are state crimes?

Answer 3

Illegal activities carried out by or on behalf of the government that break government-defined laws or international laws.

State crimes often involve violations of human rights.

Question 4

Give examples of state crimes.

Answer 4

• Torture of prisoners
• Assassinations of perceived threats
• Imprisonment without trial

These actions reflect abuses of power by the state.

Question 5

What is a problem with defining state crime?

Answer 5

A state can define its own actions as non-criminal, making its laws inadequate for judging criminality.

This creates a conflict of interest in evaluating state actions.

Question 6

Why is using international law to define state crime inadequate?

Answer 6

It does not cover many types of crimes, mainly war and human rights violations.

International law may lack jurisdiction or enforcement mechanisms.

Question 7

What is the ‘dark figure’ in relation to state crimes?

Answer 7

State crimes that go undetected and unreported because governments do not admit to committing crimes.

This term highlights the hidden nature of state crime.

Question 8

What do Marxists argue about state crimes?

Answer 8

Governments can remain secretive about their deviant behavior, preventing it from being defined as criminal.

This includes actions like trading weapons that lead to harm or conflict.

Question 9

What is the crimes of obedience model?

Answer 9

A theory that suggests state workers are trained to obey orders, which can lead to state crime.

This model explains how ordinary individuals can commit crimes under authority.

Question 10

What are the three ways states encourage obedience according to Kelman and Hamilton?

Answer 10

• Authorisation
• Routinisation
• Dehumanisation

These mechanisms help normalize state crimes by framing them as necessary actions.

Question 11

What does ‘authorisation’ mean in the context of state crime?

Answer 11

Acts are ordered by those in authority, creating a duty to obey orders.

This can lead to individuals committing acts they might otherwise reject.

Question 12

What does ‘routinisation’ refer to in state crime?

Answer 12

Crime becomes routine and part of everyday work for state employees.

This normalization can desensitize individuals to the moral implications of their actions.

Question 13

What is ‘dehumanisation’ in the context of state crime?

Answer 13

The enemy is seen as sub-human, which can justify violent actions against them.

This psychological mechanism allows individuals to detach from the consequences of their actions.

Question 14

What model can explain the actions behind the attempted assassination of Alexey Navalny?

Answer 14

Crimes of obedience model

This model includes concepts such as authorisation, routinisation, and dehumanisation.

Question 15

What is the first stage of a state’s spiral of denial?

Answer 15

‘It didn’t happen’

This stage involves the state outright denying any wrongdoing.

Question 16

What chemical agent was used to poison Alexey Navalny?

Answer 16

Novichok

Novichok is a chemical nerve agent unique to Russia.

Question 17

What is the second stage of a state’s spiral of denial?

Answer 17

‘It is something else’

In this stage, the state claims the situation is not what it appears to be.

Question 18

What was the Chinese government’s initial response when asked about the detention camps?

Answer 18

‘It didn’t happen’

The Chinese government denied the existence of the camps.

Question 19

What justification did the Chinese government provide for the detention camps?

Answer 19

To remove extremist thoughts

The government claimed the ‘schools’ are designed to ensure public safety.

Question 20

What does the Schwendingers’ approach to state crimes emphasize?

Answer 20

Transgressive approach

This approach classifies any actions violating human rights as state crimes.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: The Russian state appears to have ______ Alexey Navalny’s assassination.

Answer 21

authorised

This indicates state involvement in the assassination attempt.

Question 22

What is the third stage of a state’s spiral of denial?

Answer 22

‘It is justified’

This stage involves the state claiming their actions are in defense of public safety.

Question 23

What rights are included in the definition of human rights according to the Schwendingers?

Answer 23

• Right to life
• Right to free speech
• Right to a fair trial

These rights are considered fundamental and should be protected regardless of location.

Question 24

What role does the state have in terms of violence and oppression?

Answer 24

Monopoly over violence

This allows the state to potentially cause physical harm and oppress populations.

Question 25

How many Muslims are being held in detention camps in China?

Answer 25

Around one million Muslims ## Footnote Detainees are held against their will and have not been convicted of any crime.

Question 26

What does the Chinese government claim the detention camps are?

Answer 26

'Schools' to remove extremist thoughts ## Footnote This claim is widely disputed and criticized for human rights violations.

Question 27

List some human rights violations occurring in Chinese detention camps.

Answer 27

* Detainees held against their will with no trial * Harmed physically, e.g. beaten and hit with electric batons * Forbidden from communicating in their own language * Forced to work in textiles and cotton factories

Question 28

What technique does Matza argue states use to justify illegal activities?

Answer 28

Techniques of neutralisation ## Footnote States make excuses for their crimes when challenged.

Question 29

What is one example of organ harvesting mentioned?

Answer 29

China is harvesting organs from detainees ## Footnote Thousands are reportedly being killed for organ transplants.

Question 30

Who are the victims mentioned in the organ harvesting example?

Answer 30

Members of the Falun Gong religious minority group ## Footnote The Chinese government views them as a threat.

Question 31

What does traditional Marxism suggest about capitalist society and state crimes?

Answer 31

Capitalist society underpins state crimes ## Footnote Nation states commit illegal acts to further their own interests.

Question 32

Why are state crimes not recorded in official crime statistics?

Answer 32

Police and courts represent the interests of the ruling class ## Footnote Those in power ensure state crimes go undetected.

Question 33

What was Britain's involvement in the torture of suspected terrorists post-9/11?

Answer 33

British intelligence and security agencies witnessed CIA's enhanced interrogation techniques but did nothing ## Footnote This involvement was kept secret and the public was misled.

Question 34

What is a consequence of the British government's actions regarding its involvement in torture?

Answer 34

Public remained in a state of false class consciousness ## Footnote They were unaware of the government's involvement in human rights violations.

Question 35

Fill in the blank: The Chinese government uses _______ to justify their actions against the Falun Gong.

Answer 35

techniques of neutralisation

Question 36

True or False: Detainees in Chinese camps have a clear understanding of how long they will be held.

Answer 36

False ## Footnote Detainees have no idea how long they will be held.

Question 37

Fill in the blank: Detainees are forced to work in _______ and cotton factories.

Answer 37

textiles

Question 38

What is a reported method of torture used by the CIA?

Answer 38

Enhanced interrogation techniques such as sleep deprivation, beatings, and waterboarding ## Footnote These techniques were known to British intelligence.