(Page 1/2)

Examples of Issues in Human Rights Today

In the world today, there are a plethora of human rights issues, varying from simple and clear cut offenses such as arbitrary imprisonment, torture, and outright discrimination, to cases where the distinction between two sides is more subjective. This includes issues such as female genital mutilation (FGM), child labor, and cases relating to the AIDS crisis in Africa.

FGM

Female Genital Mutilation is the practice of removing the clitoris, labia minora and labia majora, and then in some cases, stitching together the vaginal walls to insure fidelity to the husband. It is practiced in some nations in Africa, and is estimated to affect up to 100 million women. It is performed on little girls, and is considered to be a coming of age ceremony, when girls differentiate themselves from boys by removing their "male parts" (http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/femgen/fgm1.htm) . Aside from the immediate physical dangers, there is a psychological shock, as well as greatly increased chance of infection and death in the future.

Many people see it as a ceremony that is a way for women to be put into clearly defined subservient roles in society. Article 5 of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination states that governments must strive for "the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes". In 1995, the UN Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action condemns FGM as a form of violent discrimination against women. However, defendants of the practice believe that it is a fundamental part of the culture. Surprisingly, it is usually the women are the most ardent defenders, as it is a woman that performs the procedure, and later on there is a feeling of sisterhood between those that have undergone the operation. Religion also plays a role, because many of the people believe that it is a part of Islam, despite the fact that there is no mention of it in the Koran. The practice probably stems from an ancient tribal ceremony that has evolved over the ages, and now has both social and religious meaning. It is an issue that cannot be solved by force and immediate outlawing because it is so ingrained in the culture in many parts of Africa. The people affected by it should be educated on its dangers, and then they must be allowed to reach a decision on whether to continue it, and in what form.

Child Labor

However the problem that arises is that the children that are most affected by it have no voice in the matter, until it is much too late. Many children around the world face a similar scenario when they are forced to work and provide for their family instead of going to school. The issue of child labor demonstrates that ideals such as the innocent and carefree life that children in most industrialized nations are able to enjoy do not exist in the poorer parts of the world. These idealsclash against the necessity of a poor family to earn money and feed all of its members. While such an experience can be positive for children, such as helping out on the family farm, or small chores around the house,there is a darker side. The practice of sellingchildren into slavery to pay off a family debt, while outlawed in the 1956 U.N. Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, still is popular, and an ongoing problem. Children work under abhorrent conditions; those that work in looms become "disabled with eye damage, lung disease, stunted growth, and a susceptibility to arthritis as they grow older" (http://www.hrw.org/children/labor.htm). Typically they are never able to repay off the debt, and must work for the remainder of their lives as bondage workers. The financial stability of the family is weighed against the child's liberty. However, the children usually do not earn enough to pay off their family's debt; those that profit are their employers that are able to exploit cheap labor.