An introduction to human rights

Citizenship Criteria Human Rights Global Interdependence Conflict Resolution

Human Rights

Global Interdependence

Conflict Resolution

Presentation outline Background to Kosovo and the UN action What are human rights? The case for Kosovo Human rights abuses in Kosovo The Army in Kosovo

Background to Kosovo and the UN action

What are human rights?

The case for Kosovo

Human rights abuses in Kosovo

The Army in Kosovo

Background to Kosovo and the UN action

The former Yugoslavia

Kosovo Population of Serbia, including Kosovo: 10 million Population of Kosovo: 1.9 million Ethnic mix within Kosovo: 88% Kosovar Albanians 6% Serbian 6% Others

Population of Serbia, including Kosovo: 10 million

Population of Kosovo: 1.9 million

Ethnic mix within Kosovo:

88% Kosovar Albanians

6% Serbian

6% Others

Build up to UN Action 1989 – Milosevic ends self rule in Kosovo 1998 – Major Serb offensive in Kosovo. Over 250,000 Albanians flee Sept 1998 – UN calls for ceasefire in Kosovo

1989 – Milosevic ends self rule in Kosovo

1998 – Major Serb offensive in Kosovo. Over 250,000 Albanians flee

Sept 1998 – UN calls for ceasefire in Kosovo

The UN takes action June 1999 – After a bombing campaign, the UN sends in the Kosovo Force (KFOR). This includes the British Army Kosovo becomes the only country in the world administered directly by the UN until peace is fully restored in the region

June 1999 – After a bombing campaign, the UN sends in the Kosovo Force (KFOR). This includes the British Army

Kosovo becomes the only country in the world administered directly by the UN until peace is fully restored in the region

What are human rights?

Human rights All human beings have dignity that must be respected All individuals are entitled to human rights (no discrimination) They apply wherever you are They are international standards that give a legal and moral framework for democracy

All human beings have dignity that must be respected

All individuals are entitled to human rights (no discrimination)

They apply wherever you are

They are international standards that give a legal and moral framework for democracy

The United Nations (UN) It promotes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights It was established in 1945 to maintain world peace It represents all the countries in the world

It promotes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

It was established in 1945 to maintain world peace

It represents all the countries in the world

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) Personal rights (dignity, equality) Rights of the individual in society (privacy, freedom of movement, right to marry) Public freedom and political rights (freedom of thought, opinion) Economic, cultural and social rights (health, education, leisure)

Personal rights (dignity, equality)

Rights of the individual in society (privacy, freedom of movement, right to marry)

Public freedom and political rights (freedom of thought, opinion)

Economic, cultural and social rights (health, education, leisure)

Human rights developments European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1950) United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) Human Rights Act for the UK (1998)

European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1950)

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)

Human Rights Act for the UK (1998)

Articles from Human Rights Act Article 3 Freedom from torture and inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment Article 6 The right to a fair trial Article 11 Freedom of assembly and association

Article 3 Freedom from torture and inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment

Article 6 The right to a fair trial

Article 11 Freedom of assembly and association

The case for Kosovo

Why did action have to be taken? “ There has been organised, systematic rape of women, usually in front of husbands and children. Young men have been forced to dig graves, then shot. Whole villages have been razed to the ground. These acts remain the essential justification for NATO’s action.” Tony Blair

“ There has been organised, systematic rape of women, usually in front of husbands and children. Young men have been forced to dig graves, then shot. Whole villages have been razed to the ground. These acts remain the essential justification for NATO’s action.”

Tony Blair

Why should Britain be involved? “ The British people are by instinct an internationalist people. We believe that as well as defending our rights, we should discharge our responsibilities in the world. We do not want to stand idly by and watch humanitarian disasters or the aggression of dictators go unchecked. We want to give a lead, we want to be a force for good.” George Robertson (Sec. State for Defence)

“ The British people are by instinct an internationalist people. We believe that as well as defending our rights, we should discharge our responsibilities in the world. We do not want to stand idly by and watch humanitarian disasters or the aggression of dictators go unchecked. We want to give a lead, we want to be a force for good.”

George Robertson (Sec. State for Defence)

Human rights abuses in Kosovo

Human rights abuses from 1991 In schools – lessons taught in Serbian, not Albanian, even though 82% of the population were Albanians Albanian language radio and TV closed All signs changed to the Serbian language

In schools – lessons taught in Serbian, not Albanian, even though 82% of the population were Albanians

Albanian language radio and TV closed

All signs changed to the Serbian language

Human rights abuses after 1996 Detention without trial Seizing and destruction of property ETHNIC CLEANSING Torture Rape Mass murder

Detention without trial

Seizing and destruction of property

Torture

Rape

Mass murder

The Army in Kosovo

Aims of KFOR Establish an impartial armed force to see ‘fair play’ in the community Start to rebuild community confidence Help to remove the climate of fear

Establish an impartial armed force to see ‘fair play’ in the community

Start to rebuild community confidence

Help to remove the climate of fear

What did KFOR do? Arrested those actively interfering with the human rights of others Uncovered scenes of mass murder and torture Started to rebuild essential services – temporary shelter, airport, hospitals

Arrested those actively interfering with the human rights of others

Uncovered scenes of mass murder and torture

Started to rebuild essential services – temporary shelter, airport, hospitals

How KFOR saw themselves “ You know you’ve done something; you’re happy to see them happy – it’s good.” “ Many people are still scared of their neighbours, so we are trying desperately to make sure that both sides come together.” Quotes from KFOR soldiers, British Army

“ You know you’ve done something; you’re happy to see them happy – it’s good.”

“ Many people are still scared of their neighbours, so we are trying desperately to make sure that both sides come together.”

Quotes from KFOR soldiers, British Army