Why Human Rights? According to Liberal International: Human rights are the core of liberalism; Human rights are a precondition for progress and stability; Human rights can only be secured by true democracy; True democracy is inseparable from political and civil liberty How does the protection of human rights promote the ideals of liberalism, including democracy and progress?
Philosophers: Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau each had a different perspective on individual rights Hobbes: give up individual rights in return for security Locke: individual rights (especially for property) essential, but some must be sacrificed for security Rousseau: group rights should be decided by individuals, but then followed by the group
What are human rights? Rights granted to all people, regardless of nationality. Includes fundamental freedoms like freedom of expression and association
What are civil rights? Rights granted to citizens of a state by their government. Includes the right to participate in a democracy
Influence of the French and American Revolutions French Revolution Declaration of the Rights of Man American Revolution Declaration of Independence All men are created equal and have inalienable rights To what degree were/are these principles followed? What legislation do we have in Canada to promote human rights?
Worker s Rights
Women s Rights Classical views of women (unstable, less intelligent, there for the enjoyment of men) Woman s place is in the home all MEN (= propertied class) created equal Suffrage (right to vote) - evolution in Canada First men and women of European extraction, then other ethnic groups, First Nations not until 1960. 1920s Persons Case
Feminism Women organized themselves into societies (eg. temperance society) Suffragette movement at times could be quite violent (which hurt the movement proved women were too emotional to participate in politics ) WWI changed attitudes towards women
Modern Feminism The Feminine Mystique Betty Friedan (myth of happy 1950s housewives) Women s Liberation Movement (1960s) Equal pay for equal work Today there are many strands of feminism (eco-feminism, multi-racial feminism, feminist theology) Values in other societies are we imposing our liberal values on others? (ex opposition to Sharia law)
Rights and Liberal Society Liberalism advocates civil rights for all citizens, irrespective of race, gender or class. Liberals generally believe in neutral government, in the sense that it is not for the state to determine personal values (what constitutes the good life or what is morally right or wrong) Affirmative action Liberals support equal opportunity, but not necessarily equal outcome, so there is disagreement in the support for affirmative action programs.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms issue: power to create laws is being transferred from the legislative branch to judicial branch Proposed Canadian Museum for Human Rights http://www.canadianmuseumforhumanrights.com
Important Rights Cases in Canada Bill C-38 Civil Marriage Act passed in 2005 to allow for the legalization of gay marriage Bill 101 Charter of the French Language passed in 1997
UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights issue: enforcement
Collective Rights These are rights that are given to a group often with the intention of supporting or protecting a minority group. They are entrenched into the Constitution Two main groups in Canada enjoy these rights Aboriginal Peoples and Francophones Does this support or go against liberal values?
Aboriginal Collective Rights Co-operation competition coercion Proclamation of 1763, treaties, Indian Act, Use of Residential Schools until 1993. Efforts to eliminate those rights: White Paper (Red Paper response) Efforts that increased this Tension: Oka Crisis Efforts to restore and revitalize those rights: Royal Commission, land claims settlements and self-government
Francophone Collective Rights First settlers, Conquest of 1763 Quebec Act promises made to protect culture Future constitutions and actions reject this: Not allowing Catholics to participate in government Manitoba Schools question Riel Resistance
Quiet Revolution the response to the increasing marginalization of the francophone people Bill 101 FLQ Crisis Refusal to sign Constitution 1980 and 1995 referendums regarding separation Today: Creation of immigration guidelines, dwindling support for separatist parties