Variation in human rights within countries Flashcards
(5 cards)
Differences in human rights in Rwanda.
Prior to and during the colonisation by the Germans in 1897, Rwanda was controlled by the Tutsi minority (making up 15% of the population) who treated the Hutu majority (making up 84% of the population - the other 1% identifying as Taw) as second class citizens.
When Rwanda gained independence in 1962, the Hutu gained power. Following the shooting down of a plane carrying Rwanda’s Hutu Prime Minister and Burundi’s Hutu President in April 1994, the Hutu aimed to eliminate the Tutsi - killing 800,000, and forcing many more to leave.
Many of the Tutsi refugees formed the Rwandan Patriotic Front - a group of Tutsi rebels in Uganda who re-entered the country - forcing 2 million Hutu to leave.
Only 71 of the 150,000 perpetrators of the Tutsi genocide have been convicted by the UN’s International Tribunal for Rwanda.
How have human rights in Rwanda improved?
2/3 of the population are under 25. Life expectancy is 55. The government has made efforts to improve education. 97% of children now attend primary school where they are discouraged from identifying themselves as Hutu or Tutsi and instead focus on on their education to accelerate development.
In the 2016 Parliamentary elections, Women won 51 out of the 80 seats (possibly due to a law that states that women must hold 30% of seats) and women are allowed to own their own property, entitled to equal inheritance, divorce and easily access contraception.
Variations in human rights in Afghanistan.
in 1919, women in Afghanistan were given the right to vote. In 1950 Pudrah (gender separation was removed). In the 60s women were given equality in multiple aspects such as being able to stand in elections at all levels. However, women’s rights made little progress under Soviet Rule.
In the 1990s and Early 200s, Afghanistan was controlled by the Taliban who enforced their version of Sharia law, preventing women from:
-Studying or going to school
- Working
- Showing their skin in public
- Accessing healthcare provided by men (this meant that they couldn’t access healthcare whatsoever as women weren’t allowed to work)
- Speaking publically or being involved in politics
This contributed to Afghanistan having the highest infant mortality rate in the World It is also in the top 10 for highest maternal mortality rates. The US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 saw the temporary removal of the Taliban from power - were women’s rights were partially restored - until the Taliban regained control in 2021.
Variations in human rights in Bolivia
Bolivia is the poorest country in South America with a GDP per capita of $3150. Despite this, it is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in all of the Americas - containing 35 different ethnic groups and 30% of its population is indigenous. The 1990s saw an increase in the rights of indigenous people however they are still incredibly disadvantaged.
Women are the most disadvantaged people in Bolivia. Gender violence in Bolivia kills and disables more women and girls aged 15 to 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war. 50% of women in Bolivia admit to having been subjected to Physical abuse.
in 2021 at least 108 femicides led to riots in January 2022 after Richard Chaque - a serial rapist and murder - was only placed under house arrest.
Indigenous Groups in the Americas.
46 million indigenous people are living in the Americas - 40 million of which are in Latin America (13% of the total population).
>4% of Canada’s population is Indigenous
<2% of the USA’s population is Indigenous
Despite this, they still face huge discrimination such as:
- Mining, oil extraction, logging and road construction forcing indigenous communities out of their homeland.
- Indigenous people are forced to live in cities where they pay the high costs of living in the developed world but experience few of the benefits as they are poorer, less educated, have worse general health and are more likely to commit suicide.
