Impacts of Contemporary Human Rights Reforms and Current Arab Reality
All human beings have rights that protect them from harm and give them freedom of expression. They are granted to all individuals despite of their sex, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, and language. They vary from the most basic, the right to life, to those that give our life worth. They include the right to education, work, food, and health. Since human evolution and progress, different perspectives have been developed concerning the nature of humanity. The scientific, agricultural, and language themes have influenced how people view life. This research paper discusses the contemporary human rights reforms in the Arab World and their effects. Further, the concept of democracy and the current Arab world reality is examined.
In modern history, the theme of human rights reformations in the Arab World has been influenced by the French and America Revolutions. European movements influenced the first appreciation of a human being as a citizen In the Middle East (Al-Jabri 95). Initially, an individual was viewed as subject to the Sultana. Colonization by the European paved the way for western ideas, and the concept spread to other regions. The people developed new methodologies of doing things and dealt away with traditions. Positive impacts were felt as the evolution of humankind could be seen. Long-term effects were seen like the human mind, which became more creative. Among the most crucial principles observed were democracy and human rights.
Contemporary Human Rights Reforms
Most countries in the Arab World have preserved the dignity of human beings by considering their rights from different perspectives. For example, European experiences have made them adopt constitutions where the rights have been written. Everybody is supposed to obey these laws and preserve the humanity of people. Conditions of people, whether sick or mentally challenged, should not create platforms for discrimination. Breaking the set governing rules and standards leads to fines and even imprisonment. Human privacy and dignity should be respected to protect their self-esteem, especially in public.
The government protects them from amendments where those in authority can use them to gain illegal power. Evils means such as corruption, where individuals are given money in favor of a certain candidate, should be abolished. The constitutions emphasize the mandatory respect and preservation of the principles. In the process of democratization, the will of the people and regimes should be the main agenda. Additionally, both the international and internal levels should adopt this legitimizing force for the benefit of the citizens. This creates universal protection of human rights and eliminates cases of racism. Immigrants have been discriminated against in some nations because of their color and language.
Several conventions and treaties have been signed by the Arab countries. On May 22, 2004, an Arab charter on Human Rights was adopted by the Arab League, and it was enforced on March 15, 2008 (Al-Jabri 110).
The agreement policy includes the right to own individual property, security, prevention from torture, and freedom of association and free assembly. Inhuman, cruel, and degrading punishments for lawbreakers have been prohibited. Individuals found guilty should be underlined in a court of law where fines or favorable punishments are given. Cases of human murder as a form of behavior regulation must be banned as they go against the sentiments of life preservation. An Islamic perspective concerning affirmations and human rights has been mentioned in the declaration. It states that all the mentioned rights are subject to Islamic law.
Establishing Monitoring Bodies and Defense Mechanisms is another important reform in the Arab World. However, each country has a different body governing its operation. It sets policies and guidelines which govern the mode of operation. All the leaders and government officials must obey the policies as they are subject to arrest in case of breaking them. There has been increased Judicial control by the Constitutional Councils and High Courts in countries like Tunisia, Lebanon, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, and Morocco. The main goal is to examine the relevancy of laws with constitutional requirements.
Separation of power between the judiciary and other bodies has been prohibited since they are not in favor of human rights. This may lead to contradicting views on different issues, which need critical analysis and decision-making. A uniform constitution used by the government and other supporting bodies creates unity in the organization. Easy decision-making is realized as there is no need for continuous consultations from the members in the higher rank. In ensuring continuous and firm protection, the bodies have gained popularity through their extension services. For instance, in 1996, Algeria designed a new Mediator in the Republic to give citizens freedom and protect their rights through administrations from the public and normal functioning (Al-Jabri 201). Similarly, in Egypt, the National Council for Human Rights was established in 2004.
Judicial norms have replaced cultural relativism, which seems to have contradicting views on collective rights. Most traditional governments lacked complicated setups as a leader was known by their qualities. Organizing people into different communities with unique laws made national unity difficult. With the colonization, change brought the need for a centralized government and supporting leaders (Kim-Vick et al. 12).
Regimes have therefore retained their position in power where they are given authority to set emergency laws. These principles can be modified to reflect prevailing cultural developments. This enables them to go beyond constitutional standards for people’ rights (Baldwin and Cave 176). Cases arising like arbitrary arrest and censorship call for the application of such laws. Denial of basic human rights can occur where illegal acts need a verdict.
Effects of Human Rights Reformation
Recent reforms in human rights have impacted the Arab World in various ways. The emerging issues on the minority group have been solved, and policies addressing their violence and oppression have been dealt with. Women’s rights have been given power where equality between all sexes and gender have been emphasized. Existing stereotypes affecting women and negative mentalities contribute to their disrespect from the public (Al-Jabri 223). Most societies view the woman as a housewife who takes care of the children. Access to education has been limited due to the view of weak potential in the past. However, after the reforms, they were given equal chances to learn and explore different careers.
The elimination of forced labor has been eliminated in the Arab World through the development of adoption of the fundamental International Labor Organization conventions. Its role includes the promotion of social justice to all individuals without discrimination. Forceful recruitment of individuals to perform jobs they lack preferences is not allowed. This has led to improved working conditions where progress, prosperity, and peace are the desired outcomes. It is responsible for formulating international policies that promote the international security of human rights.
The concept of child labor has also been abolished, and all children have been given equal opportunities to free education. This aims at prioritizing knowledge acquired for a brighter future. Only acceptable and light duties, such as helping with house chores, are allowed at different stages of development and ages. The principle runs from formal employment to informal economic activities where unacceptable and bulk tasks are performed. The governments have implemented this law by setting specific ages when individuals can acquire civil jobs. Social and economic statuses determine parents’ ability to provide basic needs to their children for conducive learning.
State of emergencies declared in various countries led to abuse of human rights to life. Many individuals died when reported engaging themselves in illegal acts such as planning government attacks by Islamic troops like the Al-Shabaab. In some scenarios, the movement of people was restricted, and searching for individual homes could be done randomly without notice. Others were prohibited from receiving healthcare services until proven unguilty. Death sentences were also prescribed to criminals whose offensive acts exceeded law requirements.
Economic development has been realized through the high sales of oil, a natural resource in the country. This has further led to improvements in the infrastructure due to huge exports. International trade has also been realized through oil sales to many countries. Economic progress has improved citizens’ living standards by creating job opportunities. Employment in processing and mining companies has allowed many youths to earn income.
Democracy and the Current Arab Reality
The Arab countries under colonial control developed desires to be independent. This led them to devise methodologies to use to be free from oppression. After the Second World War, most countries became self-governed. Arab regimes have been influenced by forms of authoritarian rule. Additionally, increased educational levels and per capita income have influenced economic status. The Arab groups and intellectuals interested in political reforms have condemned the rule and lack of democracy in the countries.
Democracy gaps resulting from oil and conflicts are the major current Arab realities. The disagreements began when Arab countries stopped exports to Europe and America. A body known as the organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, supported by the soviets, increased the price of crude oil (Al-Jabri 245). This resulted from member countries’ agreement leading to the global crisis of energy. Currently, the Ukraine war is creating a great threat to the world economy leading to the collapse of oil prices.
Despite success in democratic achievements and defense for human rights in Arab countries, most females are being discriminated against in various social agendas. Reports indicate that their school attendance rate has been the lowest (Kim-Vick et al. 10). Issues such as polygamy, fertility rate, per capita income, and corruption have highly contributed to the school-going decline. Further, most well-paying jobs are accredited to men since society has developed a negative mindset toward ladies. This has hindered their inner potential, ideas, abilities, and innovations. Research indicates that if women are given enough support and opportunities in the workforce, they will strengthen productivity growth and development.
The increased gender gap in the examination of the status of employed women reveals a change in their employment structure. Many women are in low job classes as support workers (Mojahed 36). The governments have made efforts to include them in the working schemes, but their ratio, compared to men, is still very low. Many occupations like plant and machine operators, craft, and assemblers have experienced high feminization rates. The working hours for both genders are similar, but differences in wage payment differ. This is attributed to the belief that most women are concentrated on domestic chores dedicating less effort to other work. Additionally, maternity leaves require less working period hence lower salary.
The threat from ethnic violence and militant Islamic groups is a common reality. Terrorist groups exist and make secret plans to cause mass destruction of people to take revenge. Contrary to Egypt and Algeria nations where cases of religious violence have reduced, other regions like the gulf deal with criminals. This daily issue has forced the affected nations to develop countermeasures to protect their territories. Slow democratic change is realized where regimes can feel the declining rate of reforms. This is due to the need for the government to put more effort into dealing with terror and maintaining national security.
Repression in the Arab World emerged after uprisings that occurred in 2011. They led to the reassessment of the nature of politics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Authoritarian regimes were not received by the citizens due to the effects they could create on democracy. In the early 2000s, levels of repression were rising significantly in the MENA (Al-Jabri 105). This trend has evolved through the years and can be felt presently. For instance, in Egypt, individual protests have challenged the government, which is the power source.
Higher mobilization has resulted in peaceful protestors moving from one place to another. They sometimes trigger violent responses to any troops of individuals who go against their demands. The target groups vary according to whom is seen as a threat to them. They can belong to a given ethnic group, protestors, cultural, or ideological views (Blagojevic 2842). On the other hand, leaders in power use this concept to preserve their positions. Conflicts that may occur from foreign interference are solved by international peacemakers.
Despite economic, social, and political developments in the Arab countries, some communities have been marginalized. They present themselves through ethnic and religious differences, which give contradictory views. Examples include the Copts in Egypt and the Kurds in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey (Alonso-Bolaños 58). Some have been represented in power by hierarchies that give them financial support. This enables them to maintain their status quo in society in general. Languages such as Arabic have also felt the effects of marginalization, where it is not preferred by some countries.
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