Addressing human rights issues is a major objective for intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the global community. International organizations promote, su

Instructions

Roll your cursor over a region of the globe. In each region, you will find four case scenarios representing each of the global issues that you explore throughout the course: democratization, human rights issues, environmental issues, and health issues.

The case scenarios provide you with a brief example of a global issue occurring in that region of the world. You will use the case scenarios to complete an Application Assignment.

For the Application Assignment in Week 3, you should be prepared to address the following:

Briefly describe the selected region and the global issue from the scenario.
Describe one I-G-O and one N-G-O that provide service in that region to address the global issue.
Explain at least one strategy the I-G-O and N-G-O use to address the global issue in the region you selected.
Explain two factors that impact the global issue in that region. Be sure to use examples to illustrate your points.

Remember, you will be completing and submitting an Application Assignment based on the scenario.

Note: You may use the animated time line from Week 1 or the Internet to search for information on international organizations (I-G-Os and N-G-Os).

Regions

North America

Application of the Death Penalty

Although use of the death penalty is on the decline, the United States is one of the few industrialized nations that employs the death penalty in the criminal justice system. Many are against the use of the death penalty, and others think that it is applied unfairly.
Consider the following situation. A murder is committed in a bar. The victim is a young woman. The last person the victim spoke to before being murdered is a bar regular who left the bar after having three drinks. He goes home alone and falls asleep. When the police come to question him, he cooperates and answers all questions. He has no alibi, since no one recalled when he left the bar and no one saw him go to his home. He is arrested, tried, and convicted based on evidence in the case. He is sentenced to death and placed on death row to await execution. Despite his claims of innocence, the legal system does not respond. A death penalty activist in Italy contacts the convicted man. In a letter to the inmate, he explains that there are international organizations to address this injustice and there are strategies to help prove his innocence. In addition, the letter explains factors that may impact this human rights issue in the United States.

Latin America (Includes Central America)

Reproductive Rights

A state-run health clinic in rural Bolivia is the primary care agency for the region. It is small but serves local women who are mostly of the Quechua culture.

A local woman arrives at the clinic with pregnancy complications. She is poor and has four children already. Due to complications, the pregnancy cannot be sustained, and the woman has a miscarriage.

She and her husband are asked to sign papers to permit the doctors to perform a dilation and curettage (D&C). This is a basic medical procedure after miscarriage. Unbeknownst to the woman, the signed papers give permission for the woman to be sterilized.

The doctors perform the sterilization procedure without ever informing the woman or her husband. Though the practice is illegal, it is commonplace. Local women are reluctant to go to the clinic for help, and there is an increase in pregnancy-related death in the region.
You are an activist who is interested in women’s issues. Having heard about this situation, your goal is to set up a program for volunteers in the region to address this issue. This will require funding and planning on your part. You must submit a proposal for funding that states which international organizations (I-G-Os and N-G-Os) will administer the program. You must also explain specific strategies that will be utilized to address the issue.

Africa

War Rape in the D-R Congo

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (D-R Congo) and other parts of Africa, women and children are routinely raped by soldiers as part of a campaign to terrorize civilians in war-torn areas. In the D-R Congo, it is estimated that 75% of all women have been brutally raped by soldiers.

Victims of war rape are often re-victimized by their home communities. They may be shunned by their spouses, extended family, and neighbors because rape is considered to be taboo and shameful. In addition, those close to rape victims may fear reprisals by soldiers if they show allegiance or sympathy for the rape victims in this situation.
You are an international aid worker sent to the D-R Congo to report on what international organizations are doing to address this horrific human rights abuse. You interview victims, aid workers, government officials, and administrators from a variety of international organizations working in the D-R Congo. You are to write a report that includes which organizations are addressing the issue and strategies they are using.

Asia/Pacific

Freedom of Speech

In China, a local writer is jailed after writing a manifesto for political reform that embraces many democratic principles. His incarceration comes without due process, and he is not allowed visitors. There are reports that the prisoner is being tortured and that the death penalty without trial may be imposed. These actions are in violation of internationally accepted human rights norms and standards, but they continue to occur.

You are an aid worker in one of many N-G-Os working in China. Your activities within China are restricted by the government; therefore, you must contact other international organizations working in the region but outside of China to enlist help in addressing this issue. Keep in mind that you should contact an I-G-O and N-G-O to address the issue and that you must define strategies to address it. You should also take note of factors that affect this human rights issue.

Europe

Human Trafficking

In Russia, a 19-year-old waitress is approached by her boss. He offers her a new job opportunity in Western Europe. He tells the waitress that she will work in retail and make a higher salary. She agrees to leave her home nation and travel with other young women to work abroad.

Unfortunately, this is a ruse to illegally kidnap the young women and force them into prostitution. The young woman is beaten, raped, and forced to have sex with multiple partners. Attempts to escape are met with violence. Passports and other legal documentation are confiscated, making it impossible for the young woman to leave.
You are a retired police detective in London and wish to become active in combating this issue. Before you become involved, you decide to research organizations (I-G-Os and N-G-Os) that work to address this issue. You also hope to find information about strategies used to address human trafficking and research factors that affect this global issue.

Middle East

Domestic Violence

In a small town in Afghanistan, a 14-year-old girl is forced to marry a 50-year-old man in a marriage arranged by her parents. After the marriage, the young girl is disfigured by her husband, who throws acid in her face. His reason for committing this atrocity is that her dowry is not enough to sustain the family. Though this awful crime is a violation of international human rights norms and standards, the man is not prosecuted by the local police.
You are a health worker who treats the young girl in the hospital. You decide you want to provide more than just medical help for her. You agree to gather information for her about international organizations in Afghanistan or neighboring regions that can help her with addressing this human rights issue. You also agree to gather information for her about strategies that are regularly used to address these issues. As you gather the information, you should look at factors that impact this human rights issue.