Reflections on Studying Human Rights Abroad

After three months of study here in Paris on the subject of universal human rights, with much reading, thinking, writing and research now behind you in this fascinating field, and with the experience of living in a foreign land and witnessing, first-hand, different cultures, values, peoples and current events, how have your thoughts and attitudes concerning human rights evolved since the start of this class? Do this by reflecting upon both your experience abroad and your study of human rights.

Why Human Rights Matter: Why Many Governments Think They Don't

One of the key concepts in the study of human rights is the role states play in the struggle for upholding fundamental human rights. Indeed, there is a recurring and troublesome paradox to reflect upon here: the state is both the primary violator and the primary defender of basic human rights. This is of little surprise—states are powerful entities: legally constituted, holding a monopoly of the use of force, sovereign over their lands and peoples, subject to no supranational authority, and legitimate in the eyes of both domestic and foreign populations. Consequently, the immense power they exercise can be applied either to demean and restrict human rights or to uphold and extend them. The use of power may violate human rights or defend them. Governments decide.

With these thoughts in mind, write a short reflective critique of the following thesis: Why Human Rights Matter: Why Many Governments Think They Don’t. Focus both upon why you think the defense of human rights should matter (within any given country) and upon the many motivations and actions of state authorities that reveal they think they don’t. Respond in about 500 words.