The Basis for Establishing Common Standards for Human Rights
Human rights are a universal principle, independent of any cultural background. We are all people with similar physiology and brains, and human rights are principles that enable us to act efficiently. They are also crucial for reaching happiness, as they create opportunities for development, such as the right to education, work, and medical help, while limiting destructive behavior.
Cultural backgrounds determine how we perceive the world and behave in various conditions, and some cultures can be violent, limiting human rights and legalizing violence in some instances. Political leaders can use such cultural distinctions to spread violence, justify authoritarian and cruel rulership, and begin wars. While there cannot be one standard of human rights, basic options apply to all cultures: respect for life and open opportunities for everyone.
The Role of the United Nations in Traditional vs. Complex Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is a set of activities, including military ones, to stop aggressive war in some parts of the Earth and promote human rights by introducing a third force, such as the United Nations. Traditional peacekeeping maintains peace by force: creating a wall between two opposing parties and disabling them from continuing the conflict (Hanhimäki 76). It was often used in the 20th century, especially during the Cold War, and the forced peace between North and South Korea is a bright example.
Complex peacekeeping, often called peacebuilding, is a more detailed approach to reaching long-term agreements rather than simply creating a barrier (Hanhimäki 89–90). While it is much more challenging and time-consuming, as it includes complex negotiations with parties having contrary interests, it can lead to the actual problem resolution, not just freezing the conflict. In that way, it is much more fit for the modern world and can be used to improve people’s well-being.
Summary
Therefore, human rights are universal, and complex peacekeeping can be an excellent option to promote their implementation in various countries. Cultural backgrounds should always be considered during human rights enhancement, as they determine how this concept will be perceived. However, one should remember that local politicians can use cultural distinctions for their purposes to suppress their nations and promote violence. In my opinion, it is essential to elucidate the unique features of human rights and adapt them to various cultures to ensure they can be understood and implemented worldwide.
Work Cited
Hanhimäki, Jussi M. The United Nations: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2015.