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the view that diaspora communities have become powerful actors in defending the human rights of populations in their countries of origin.
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Practice IB Global Politics Topic Rights and Justice with authentic exam-style questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank focuses on the exact syllabus content for Rights and Justice and mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 style where relevant.
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the view that diaspora communities have become powerful actors in defending the human rights of populations in their countries of origin.
the view that the persistence of the death penalty shows that human-rights standards remain culturally contingent.
(a) three human rights that are threatened, as suggested by Source A.
(b) how one government justification for restricting rights is presented in Source B.
(c) the threats to human rights described in Source C and Source D.
(d) Using at least three sources and your own knowledge, the claim that national security is the main reason governments restrict civil liberties.
the view that access to the internet should be recognised as a fundamental human right.
the view that the system of reservations to human rights treaties fatally undermines their protective purpose.
Source A
Source B
Adapted from “Crackdowns on protests and freedom of expression continue globally,” an article by Human Rights Watch, www.hrw.org (2023).
Freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly are protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 19 and 20). Yet in recent years, these rights have come under increasing threat across multiple regions.
According to Human Rights Watch, governments in countries such as India, Egypt, and China have used excessive force to disperse protests, blocked internet access, and arrested activists and journalists. Authorities have frequently labelled protest movements as “threats to national security,” justifying harsh crackdowns and prolonged detentions.
These violations not only silence dissenting voices but also weaken democratic accountability. In many cases, marginalized communities, including women, students, and ethnic minorities, are disproportionately targeted, making it harder for them to advocate for justice or reform.
Despite these pressures, civil society movements have continued to demand change, highlighting the enduring importance of protecting freedom of speech and assembly in ensuring broader human rights protections.
Source C
Adapted from: “Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights,” UN Human Rights Council, www.ohchr.org (2022).
Many governments justify restrictive laws and practices in the name of national security. However, the UN Human Rights Council has raised serious concerns that such measures often violate fundamental human rights.
In recent years, anti-terror legislation in countries such as France, Egypt, and the Philippines has allowed for indefinite detention, internet shut-downs, mass surveillance, and the banning of public gatherings. Critics argue that these measures disproportionately target political activists, minority communities, and human rights defenders.
The UN emphasizes that while states have a duty to protect their citizens from terrorism, they must also uphold international human rights obligations. Counter-terror policies should be necessary, proportionate, and subject to independent oversight to prevent abuse of power and the erosion of civil liberties.
Source D
Adapted from: “Crackdown on Press Freedom,” Reporters Without Borders, www.rsf.org (2023).
Freedom of the press is essential to democracy and accountability, but it is increasingly under threat. Reporters Without Borders reports that in over 70 countries, journalists are being harassed, jailed, or killed for reporting on corruption, conflict, or human rights violations.
In places like Turkey, China, and Eritrea, governments have shut down media outlets, censored online platforms, and labelled independent journalists as enemies of the state. In more democratic countries, legal intimidation and surveillance have created a chilling effect, causing journalists to self-censor.
The organization stresses that attacks on press freedom not only violate the rights of journalists, but also undermine the public’s right to information. It calls for urgent international action to protect media workers and restore space for free, independent journalism.
