Annotated Bibliography and Self Reflection

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Globalization of human rights

There should be a movement such as the globalization of human rights because it will

minimize rising cultural exceptionalism, fight for minorities, expel oppressive regulations and

promote accountability. Human rights are things that we should enjoy because we exist as

human beings and should not be outlined by any state, but they should be natural and universal.

Every person in the world should be allowed to enjoy the same rights, whether male or female

white or black, from birth until we die. Globalization of human rights is essential to ensure that

some groups are not undermined or oppressed in their respective countries and enjoy the same

rights. Governments can powerfully control the freedoms of their groups and individuals; thus, it

is difficult for some groups to win their freedoms without international pressure and agreement.

Globalization of human rights will reduce the current rise of cultural exceptionalism. The

author provides an example of cultural exceptionalism in May 2000, where the Taliban, the

majority rake in Afghanistan, mandated that a mother of seven be stoned to death for a crime of

adultery (Franck 5). She was executed in front of men and children. Before that, Britain's most

significant court had allowed two Pakistani women accused of adultery to claim refugee status

because they were at risk of punishment through death by stoning back home (Franck 5). These

things should call for an international status regarding human rights. This means that human

rights will be equalized globally. With the globalization of human rights, such an occurrence

would not occur because women have equal rights as men in some countries such as the United

States. Countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan hold less regard for women, which should be

different. Human rights do not involve a divide between men, women, children, or adults.

Human rights cover us all as humans, and everyone must be given their rights.

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Additionally, globalization of human rights means that there would be a forum where

words like minorities or majorities will no longer be the norm. This is because today's world

involves a situation where governments and other agencies dictate who has rights and who does

not. For example, prisoners in most places, including some states in the United States, do not

vote during general elections. This is different for other countries, including Africa, where

prisoners are counted as part of the voting population. For example, in Columbia, Maine, and

Vermont, convicted individuals do not lose their right to vote even when they are in prison

(NCSL). In contrast, 21 states deny their felons their right to vote when imprisoned, but they

regain them after release (NCSL). In other sixteen states, criminals no longer have their voting

rights during their incarceration period and for a period after that, probably when they are on

parole or probation (NCSL). Their voting rights are restored after this, and they might also be

needed to pay for outstanding fees or outstanding fines to have their fines restored.

Globalization of human rights will help reduce the injustices against vulnerable people

globally, with women being affected in most regions of the world. Women face the harshest

punishments amongst their communities. The Taliban is the most significant regime coming up

in discussions where oppression of women comes up. The Taliban have always imposed

stringent rules pinning their women down instead of uplifting and empowering them, like in the

west, where women are part of the corporate world and government. For example, the United

States vice president, Kamala Harris. Women under the Taliban cannot leave home alone except

in the company of men in their lives, such as their brothers and husbands. They cannot also

access education, a powerful eyeopener for the world. The Taliban believe that their rules ad

cultural values should also apply elsewhere outside Afghanistan. This shows the level of power

in such governments, denying their citizens human rights. The government can decide who gets

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which right and who does not. This would be different from the globalization of human rights

because it would be that basic human rights are universally recognized even in areas like

Afghanistan, where their cultural and religious values are deeply rooted.

Another long-standing issue is the issue of death punishment. The debate surrounding death

punishment has been going on for years since early history. There are various views about

whether it is moral with individuals basing their arguments on religion or other domains.

However, some governments have been on the spot for executing individuals inhumanely. For

example, the Florida government executed several prisoners on a faulty electric chair. The

United States mandates against cruel and unusual punishment, thus forcing such a government to

turn to other methods of execution (Franck 6). Other countries in the world are against such a

notion by the United States. However, the United States and other local governments supporting

capital punishment have the right to say that they can do it because it is within their law.

Therefore nobody else has a business in such matters. Ironically, such a government upholds the

right to life for all human beings yet still supports execution by 'safer' wats such as lethal

injection or a functional electric chair. Most countries in Africa, for example, have banned

capital punishment, including Gabon, Burundi, Angola, Djibouti, and Kenya (DPIC). Therefore,

the lack of a movement such as “Globalization of Human Rights” allows governments to do

whatever they wish in the name of their laws on humans. Without considering religion, every

human being indeed has a right to live, whether a criminal or not. Therefore, countries should

turn to another form of punishment, including rehabilitation, since everybody deserves a second

chance.

I think such a movement will go a long way toward equalizing individuals eve in foreign

societies. With such a movement, some aspects of society, such as law enforcement, will feel the

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pressure of respecting and upholding all persons' quality of life and humanity. With the

globalization of human rights, I think the police in the United States, for example, will be more

pressured to respect the human rights of minorities. Although the United States and their code of

ethics mandate them to respect human rights regardless of age and race, such a movement will

reinforce these principles and ensure that they are faced with severe consequences for how they

act with the public. One such example which could have turned out different with such a

movement is the death of George Floyd. George Floyd died in the hands of a white police officer

who knelt on his neck against the ground for around eight minutes. This led to his demise and

attracted internodal attention. Globalization of human rights holds a stricter restrain on

individuals in society to maintain a higher value for human life and freedoms. No single force

would feel like they have more power over others.

In conclusion, there should be a movement pushing for the globalization of human rights.

Although every human has their natural rights, today, most of these rights rest in the power of the

governments. The globalization of human rights will ensure that the importance of human rights

is recognized and appreciated across the globe, including in Afghanistan, where the Taliban

continue to oppress women. However, they are a significant part of society. Today, there should

be global rights where no one can undermine the value of human rights despite their position in

power.

Works Cited.

Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC). Countries that have Abolished the Death Penalty

Since 1976. (n.d). Retrieved From:

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https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/policy-issues/international/countries-that-have-abolished-the-death-p

enalty-since-1976

Franck, Thomas. Reading Two: Are human rights Universal? (n.d).

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Felon Voting Rights. (2021). Retrieved

From: https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights.aspx