IB Global Politics Topic Understand How Rights and Justice Are Codified, Protected, and Monitored Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Global Politics Topic Understand How Rights and Justice Are Codified, Protected, and Monitored Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

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Codification of Rights and Justice

Codification refers to the process of formally recording rights and justice principles in legal documents.
This provides a clear framework for protection and enforcement.

International Level

1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948)

A foundational document that outlines universal human rights.
Although not legally binding, it influences international law and norms.

Note

The UDHR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, reflecting a global consensus on fundamental human rights after the atrocities of World War II.

2. International Covenants

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (1966)
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (1966)
These covenants, along with the UDHR, form the International Bill of Human Rights.
The UN encourages states to turn human rights into enforceable, binding laws.
1. Two types of state support:
  1. Signing – Symbolic support, state agrees in principle but not legally bound.
  2. Ratifying – State commits to the treaty and can face consequences if it violates it.

Example

Major UN Human Rights Treaties: Summary
- ICERD (1965): Bans racial discrimination; widely accepted by all Security Council members.
- ICCPR (1966): Covers civil and political rights (e.g., free speech, legal rights); not ratified by China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore.
- ICESCR (1966): Focuses on economic, social & cultural rights (e.g., education, fair work); US has not ratified.
- CEDAW (1979): Protects women’s rights across all areas; US has not ratified.
- UNCAT (1984): Prohibits torture and inhumane treatment; widely accepted.
- CRC (1989): Defines children’s rights and protections under age 18; US and Somalia have not ratified.
- CMW (1990): Protects migrant workers; not widely accepted, no Security Council ratification.
- Rome Statute (ICC, 2002): Establishes International Criminal Court for war crimes/genocide; US and China have not ratified.
- UNDRIP (2007): Focuses on indigenous peoples’ rights; initially rejected by several states (e.g., US, Canada), later endorsed.

Regional Instruments

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
American Convention on Human Rights

Note

These regional instruments reflect cultural and historical contexts, adapting universal principles to specific regions.

National Level

1. Constitutions

Many countries enshrine human rights in their constitutions, providing a legal basis for protection.
These constitutional protections often serve as a benchmark for courts when interpreting laws and defending individual freedoms.

Example

South Africa’s post-apartheid constitution (1996) includes a Bill of Rights that explicitly guarantees civil, political, and socio-economic rights.

2. Legislation

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Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Codification of Rights and Justice

Codification refers to the process of formally recording rights and justice principles in legal documents.
This provides a clear framework for protection and enforcement.

International Level

1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948)

A foundational document that outlines universal human rights.
Although not legally binding, it influences international law and norms.

Note

The UDHR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, reflecting a global consensus on fundamental human rights after the atrocities of World War II.

2. International Covenants

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (1966)
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (1966)
These covenants, along with the UDHR, form the International Bill of Human Rights.
The UN encourages states to turn human rights into enforceable, binding laws.
1. Two types of state support:
  1. Signing – Symbolic support, state agrees in principle but not legally bound.
  2. Ratifying – State commits to the treaty and can face consequences if it violates it.

Example

Major UN Human Rights Treaties: Summary
- ICERD (1965): Bans racial discrimination; widely accepted by all Security Council members.
- ICCPR (1966): Covers civil and political rights (e.g., free speech, legal rights); not ratified by China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore.
- ICESCR (1966): Focuses on economic, social & cultural rights (e.g., education, fair work); US has not ratified.
- CEDAW (1979): Protects women’s rights across all areas; US has not ratified.
- UNCAT (1984): Prohibits torture and inhumane treatment; widely accepted.
- CRC (1989): Defines children’s rights and protections under age 18; US and Somalia have not ratified.
- CMW (1990): Protects migrant workers; not widely accepted, no Security Council ratification.
- Rome Statute (ICC, 2002): Establishes International Criminal Court for war crimes/genocide; US and China have not ratified.
- UNDRIP (2007): Focuses on indigenous peoples’ rights; initially rejected by several states (e.g., US, Canada), later endorsed.

Regional Instruments

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
American Convention on Human Rights

Note

These regional instruments reflect cultural and historical contexts, adapting universal principles to specific regions.

National Level

1. Constitutions

Many countries enshrine human rights in their constitutions, providing a legal basis for protection.
These constitutional protections often serve as a benchmark for courts when interpreting laws and defending individual freedoms.

Example

South Africa’s post-apartheid constitution (1996) includes a Bill of Rights that explicitly guarantees civil, political, and socio-economic rights.

2. Legislation

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Core: Understanding power and global politics6 subtopics

Rights and Justice4 subtopics

Development and Sustainability4 subtopics

Peace and Conflict4 subtopics

Assessment Guides4 subtopics

IA Engagement Project1 subtopic

IB Global Politics Understand How Rights and Justice Are Codified, Protected, and Monitored Notes

Core: Understanding power and global politics6 subtopics

Rights and Justice4 subtopics

Development and Sustainability4 subtopics

Peace and Conflict4 subtopics

Assessment Guides4 subtopics

IA Engagement Project1 subtopic

Codification of Rights and Justice

International Level

1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948)

2. International Covenants

Regional Instruments

National Level

1. Constitutions

2. Legislation

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Codification of Rights and Justice

International Level

1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948)

2. International Covenants

Regional Instruments

National Level

1. Constitutions

2. Legislation

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account