international studies

Think of the socio-political events of the last year, and our readings and lectures concerning human rights and de/postcolonial struggles. For your discussion post, please select one of the following questions to respond to:

Have you seen the paradigm of human rights channeled in any structural responses to the global pandemic?

OR

Did you observe any parallels between the analysis of de/postcolonial critique and those made by contemporary social movements?

You should not speak generally of human rights, decolonial critique, or socio-political events – be sure to cite course material and contemporary examples in specific terms.

These are the lecture videos to use for cite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMPLyKip7Wg&feature=youtu.be

ANSWER

Human Rights Dimension in Response to Covid-19 Response

The global pandemic has killed over a million people and disrupted the political and healthcare systems. The threat of the global pandemic has risen to a level of public threat. The public health crisis has become fast in becoming a social and economic crisis due to legal protections and human rights. The paradigm of human rights has been used in responding to the global pandemic due to the values of freedom, equality, and dignity. Careful attention to various human rights such as freedom of movement, non-discrimination as well as other human rights principles such as respect for human dignity and transparency have been considered in establishing various responses that are linked to the global pandemic.

The paradigm of human rights has channeled structural responses to the global pandemic. International human rights have guaranteed everyone that they have a right to have the highest achievable standard of health. Human rights have also played a big role in reducing discrimination against individuals that have been affected by the pandemic. For instance, everyone is entitled to liberty and freedom with zero discrimination. Measures have been taken to prevent Chinese and people of Asian origin from discrimination.

Governments have been obligated to take steps that will prevent the public from threats as well as offer medical cover to individuals that need them. For instance, respect for human dignity has been considered effective in fostering the response to the global pandemic. Relatively, some rights have been restricted such as the freedom of movement to prevent serious public health threats.

In summation, the human rights paradigm has been effective in enabling the states to exercise their power so that it is utilized for the benefit of the people. In the current condition, the human rights paradigm can enable the government to strategize their responses and maximize their efficiency in combating the disease.