Unit 4 – Global Cultural Issues

1. Unit 4 – Global Cultural Issues

2. Topics • Human Rights • Economics • War • Justice

3. Starting Point United Nations Declaration of Human Rights • Drafted in 1948 by Canadian John Peters Humphrey • Guaranteed basic freedoms and protections to all human beings • Designed to prevent war, injustice and exploitation

4. Nuts & Bolts • Life must be protected • Emphasis on the rule of law • Right to live a happy and prosperous life • Dignity and justice for all

5. Adopted • The UN cannot enforce the UDHR • Member states are encouraged to implement in individual charters

6. Grey area – Cultural Differences • Article 18 – Freedom from religion • Many theocratic states disagreed with this clause

7. Grey Area – Omissions • Amnesty International has pushed for the right to refuse to kill • This would allow people to refuse any duty where violence is assumed

8. Macro & Micro Level • Macro Level – Societal or Cultural issues • Micro Level – Individual – Euthanasia

9. Cultural Relativism • The belief that countries can only be judged by their standards – ex: the wearing of the Burka is Islamic societies OR genital mutilation in tribal states • C.R cannot be a pass in human rights • C.R cannot restrict freedom of choice of conscience

10. Human rights around the world Most states around the world will have issues surrounding human rights: • Canada – Residential Schools • USA – Right to bear arms / prosecution of terrorism suspects Some are obvious violations, other are difficult to interpret

11. A Varied planet • Saudi Arabia • Somalia • China • Oka - Canada

12. Saudi arabia at a glance • Middle Eastern Kingdom rich from oil • Theocracy – run by religion • Spiritual centre of the Islamic faith (Mecca & Medina) • Implicated in a range of human rights issues

13. Human rights

14. Saudi Arabia on the brink • Growing concern about religious extremism • Wahhabism (Sunni sect) – can be used to for extreme, fundamentalist interpretations of the Quran • Huge growth in Madrassas • September 11 attacks – majority of hijackers were Saudi • Support for Syrian rebels

15. Is the death penalty just? Agree, disagree, not sure

16. Robinson case • Who do you think was executed? • How did you arrive at that conclusion • Is there anything that is particularly problematic about the case? • Is there anything that would make a death sentence problematic?

17. Case study 6 groups – 2-4 per group • 1) In favor of death penalty for Andy Smith • 2) Against death penalty for Andy Smith • 3) In favor of death penalty for Jim Stiles • 4) Against death penalty for Jim Stiles • 5) In favor of death penalty for Sam Waltham • 6) Against death penalty for Sam Waltham

18. The Death Penalty • Lengthy debate about the use of the death penalty – human rights violation? Article 3 – Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

19. Where do you stand? Justice vs. Revenge Violence to Stop Violence Eye for an Eye

20. Death penalty considerations • Race • Ethics • Laws • Lack of Evidence • Technological Advancements - DNA

21. Somalia • 1992 Civil War • Muhammad Farrah Aidid uses food terrorism • 300,000 dead – 1.5 million displaced/affected • 14 tribal warlords are fighting for control

22. Khat Funded

24. World Responds • UN Security Council calls for intervention • US Marines/Army lead a multinational force Goal – Restore food access

25. Fiasco • Black Hawk Down – Somali militias defeat UN Force • Somalia descends in chaos • Militias force adversary's into Refugee Camps

26. Food terrorism • 2010 Sahel Famine • Groups outside Mogadishu hijacked relief aid • Access to food remains a major concern in rural Somalia

27. Religious terrorism • Al-Qaeda affiliates have regularly disrupted government advances in Somalia • Al Shabaab – 5000 members

28. Piracy – at a glance The Why • Concerns with Fishing – Foreign vessels dominate the Gulf of Aden pushing out natives • Money – Extremely lucrative – 2.5 million per ransom • Fund Warlords

29. Point to ponder • Given the dire situation in Somalia, should we condemn all Gulf of Aden Pirates of terrorists or thieves? Yes & No – You Tell Me

30. A Matter of Honour • Honour Killing / Retaliation • Cultural vs. Human Life http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/12/05/mtl-shafia-honour-killings-expert.html

31. Sexist societies • Sexism remains a major problem in many States around the world • Theocracies tend to place limits on the role and activities in society • Violations can range and be very severe, illegal and unethical

32. Defined • Prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex • Affects society in a multitude of ways: • Economics • Politics • Justice • Civil Society

34. A Man’s world? • Lingering attitude that women are subservient to men • 1950’s escalation – woman stays at home where she serves her husband – western context • Globally – religion and lack of education major causes Islam – Women as pure and subservient who must live modestly South East Asia – Women as sexual beings

35. Sexism & Violence • Women are disproportionally targeted for acts of violence • Domestic abuse / murder • Honour Killing • Canada has recorded 14 honour killings since 2011

36. Bechdel test • Does the movie feature: • at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. • Two women are openly named

37. A Matter of Culture? • The UN estimates there are over 6000 distinct cultures worldwide • Each with different languages, customs, traditions, ways of thinking

38. Cultural Relativism • The practice of judging a culture by its standards. Not ours. • Is it acceptable to wear your shoes in the house?

39. 1.)Do not count the change too openly in restaurants,cafes and pubs, as Russians can be offended, that you don't trust them.2.)Russians have a big practice in drinking strong drinks. Don't try to overdrink them, if you want to find your way home.3.)You can discuss almost everything with Russian people: private matters,children, culture, politics, philosophy, health.Don't discuss only topics connected with money and career. Don't ask their age and don't speak badly about their country. They are great patriots.4.)Don't boast of your talents, achievements and the life in your country, as this can irritate them.5.) Russians don't like formal smiles. So don't worry if they don't smile. It doesn't mean negative feelings towards you.6.)Remember the closer your relations with Russian people,the more unceremonious they are.7.)Russians are usually not punctual people. Don't be upset if your meeting is canceled or postponed.8.)Russian men can be rather aggressive, especially when they are intoxicated. Be always polite with them and try do not offend them if you don't want to fight.

40. Danger of cultural relativism • Where does society draw the line b/t cultural relativism and human rights? • If a cultural practice is unjust, can cultural relativism apply?

41. Canada’s human rights challenge Case Study: The Oka Crisis

42. Human rights in canada: Native population • Despite identification of problems, Canadian Aboriginal citizens face a host of challenges – some crossing human rights barriers • Suicide, poverty, substance abuse, lack of education, reduced economic opportunities persist • Some high profile cases • Do Canadian Natives have an equal chance at the pursuit of happiness?

43. R.C on aboriginal suicide • How prevalent is suicide among Natives in Canada? • What are the major explanations for this phenomenon? • Do any of these explanations constitute human rights violations?

44. west montreal • Area known for its natural beauty and many tourist resorts – “Quebec’s cottage country” • Constant interest from land developers • Municipality of Oka entertained offers for various land developments

46. Complicating factor • Proposed golf course fell on a Mohawk burial ground • Considered sacred

47. Showdown • Armed Mohawk citizens took to the streets and woods around the proposed golf course • The Canadian government responded by rolling in the military • Blockade ensued for 70 days • Resolved when Oka agreed not to sell land

49. Blockade showdown • Military rolled in – shots were fired • Several arrests made

50. Human rights law • Global jurisprudence is designed to curb the “abuses of man” • Laws should: • Provide basic protections to the entire population • Be universally applied • Reflect the values of the populations • Be fluid and change with societal changes