Human rights between big and small countries ✍️ Hisham Mahmoud Suleiman..former Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission
Human rights are a widely recognized universal principle, but the way they are approached and implemented differs significantly between large and small states. The human rights policies of large states differ primarily due to their political and economic power, while smaller states face additional challenges. linked to resources, internal stability and international pressures.
First, the great powers and their human rights agenda
Great powers, such as the United States of America, major countries of the European Union, such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Russia, exercise great global influence in determining policies in matters of human rights. These countries have economic and military power that allows them to do this. influence international human rights frameworks, while their strategic interests may affect their position on certain issues.
1 The influence of foreign policies: –
Great powers take positions on human rights as part of their foreign policy in accordance with their political interests, for example:
WE:-
Human rights are seen as part of its foreign agenda, particularly when there are violations in hostile countries or in countries it views as a threat to U.S. interests. However, when there are violations in allied countries, such as some authoritarian regimes, they are often overlooked or ignored. the volume of reviews is reduced.
European Union:
The EU tends to regularly promote human rights through tools such as economic sanctions or conditionalities attached to trade and aid agreements.
2. Apply double standards: –
Major powers sometimes resort to double-standard policies, meaning they promote human rights in some countries while turning a blind eye to violations in other countries if it serves their economic or geopolitical interests. , For example : –
While Western countries strongly criticize human rights violations in countries like North Korea or Iran, they can ignore certain violations in allied countries like Saudi Arabia or Egypt if strategic relations require it.
3. Hegemony in international organizations: –
The great powers, thanks to their economic and military power, play a major role in the development of international laws and treaties on human rights. Major powers influence decisions by the United Nations Security Council and can use their veto to obstruct investigations or decisions related to human rights. human rights in certain countries. They also have great influence at the United Nations Human Rights Council, where you can lead discussions on certain issues.
4. The role of non-governmental organizations: –
Many of the major NGOs working in the field of human rights have close relationships with major governments and benefit from funding and political support for these countries. This can affect how human rights issues are addressed, as these organizations focus on regions or areas of concern. to these countries.
5. Economic and political agendas:-
Sometimes human rights are presented as a condition for entering into economic or trade agreements, for example:
The United States could impose human rights conditions on trade with certain countries, such as China or Mexico.
The European Union ties human rights to association agreements with certain African or Asian countries, meaning that these countries may find themselves forced to adopt Western human rights standards to obtain financial support.
Second, small states and their human rights agenda
Small countries are those that do not have the political and economic power that allows them to influence international policies. These countries often face additional challenges in implementing human rights, whether due to internal or external pressures.
1. International pressures: –
Small countries are under increased pressure from major powers and the international community to comply with global human rights standards. This pressure is exerted through economic sanctions, diplomatic interventions or human rights organizations. However, some small countries find it difficult to respond to these pressures due to political or economic weakness.
2. Internal Challenges:-
Weak institutions:
Many small countries suffer from weak government institutions that prevent the implementation of human rights laws and standards. Sometimes governments themselves may be unable or unwilling to implement their human rights obligations due to corruption or internal conflict.
Internal conflicts:
Many small states are vulnerable to civil wars or ethnic or religious conflicts that significantly affect human rights. Such conflicts make it difficult to improve or even maintain basic human rights.
3. The impact of international aid: –
Small countries rely heavily on international aid, whether from foreign governments or non-governmental organizations. This aid may therefore be conditional on the implementation of human rights, which pushes some small governments to adopt human rights reforms to obtain financial or political support.
4. Balancing human rights and development:-
Small states often struggle to balance human rights and economic development. In many cases, the government may prefer to focus on political stability or economic growth at the expense of promoting certain fundamental rights such as freedom of expression or minority rights, especially if these rights can be promoted. threaten the regime.
5. International relations and security: –
Small states may be forced to make concessions on human rights in order to maintain good relations with larger states that provide them with military or economic support. Sometimes these states may choose to adopt human rights programs superficially in an effort to improve. their international image while violations remain on the ground.
Conclusion:-
The disparity between large and small countries in the way they treat human rights reflects not only the economic and political differences between these countries, but also the way governments respond to pressure from the international community. Large countries have the power that allows them to influence. human rights standards globally, but they often benefit from the implementation of double standards in different contexts. As for small countries, they find themselves in a difficult position between internal and external pressures, where the ability to improve the human rights situation may be closely linked to policies. stability, economic development and international aid.
Therefore, the question remains: can we achieve a universal system of human rights, fair and impartial in all cases, or will geopolitical differences remain a major obstacle to the equal and fair realization of these rights in the whole world?
In short, human rights between the agendas of great powers and those of small countries reflect fundamental differences in the way they are treated and implemented. Even though major powers can use human rights as a political or economic tool, small countries face difficulties implementing them. due to institutional and economic weakness. Ultimately, the common challenge remains to achieve a real balance between the protection of human rights and the promotion of stability and development in various regions of the world.
Hisham Mahmoud Suleiman
Former Secretary General of the Commission
National human rights
