Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Human Rights and Foreign Policy Debates
Human Rights and Foreign Policy Debates
MALEIGH ARNOLD
Valdosta State University
PHIL 4120
1
In accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Articles 1 through 301 -
a universal pronouncement protecting certain inalienable rights of all citizens - the People’s
Republic of China has, and is, been breaking international law. For several years now, the
People’s Republic of China, the PRC I may now refer to as, has violated the incontrovertible
rights of over one million Uyghur Muslim’s and other ethnic groups2. Article 4 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights verbatim,” No one shall be held in slavery or servitude …”, along
degrading treatment or punishment.”3 – yet as you’ll see in Image I, a photo from China’s “re-
education camps”, there is a tragic similarity to what is still considered one of the most inhumane
1
A Declaration signed by all nations world-wide, committing to certain unalienable rights of all people’s regardless
of sex, race, religion, and other bias. This declaration was placed into effect over 70 years prior to this date
(specifically on, 10 December 1948). China has been denying all accusations brought against them by certain
parliaments.
UNITED NATIONS, “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” accessed October 1, 2020,
https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html.
2
Vicky Xiuzhong Xu et al., accessed October 1, 2020, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ad-aspi/2020-
03/Uyghurs%20for%20sale_Final.pdf.
3
UNITED NATIONS, “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” accessed October 1, 2020,
https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html. para. 13-15
2
the violation of human rights in foreign countries. While evaluating Rushefsky’s ideas, as well as
many authors, on conservative and libertarian foreign policies – I believe both parties to be very
concerned with human rights violations, although currently silent on the crisis in China. My next
question is why.
The United States foreign policy is based upon three goals: National Security, Security of
our Allies and Support of the U.S. economic interests.4 While this does not cover human rights, it
is worth noting that in 2004, The Policy Planning Staff Remarks to the 43rd Annual
The topic of this session is who should intervene in humanitarian crises. When it comes
to delivering assistance in permissive environments, the answer is clear. The lead belongs with
humanitarian actors, including international relief agencies, NGOs, and the aid arms of
4
Mark E. Rushefsky, “Chapter 1 : Process, Structure and Ideology,” in Public Policy in the United States (Armonk,
NY: M.E. Sharpe, Inc., 2013), pp. 35-3
5
Stewart Patrick, “The Role of the U.S. Government in Humanitarian Intervention,” U.S. Department of State (U.S.
Department of State, April 5, 2004), https://2001-2009.state.gov/s/p/rem/31299.htm.
3
So while the United States foreign policies may not directly address human rights, they are very
involved in providing humanitarian aid to suffering countries, refuges and other abiding needs.
Furthermore, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides
humanitarian aid to over seventy countries each year; mainly in, Latin American, the Caribbean,
While some foreign government have been covering this massacre, our government
specifically, has been quiet. Remarks from the first Secretary of State in the British parliament,
Dominic Raab7, discusses the clear and serious violation of human rights and freely assumed
international obligation happening in China8. Creating new trade embargos with the Chinese
Hong Kong government in order to reduce the risk of further innocent incarceration amongst
minority groups in China; Not allowing for exports like shackles, smoke bombs and other
firearms9. While president Trump, also identifying as a conservative, is placing tariffs on China
for different reasons – I believe this not to be the conservative ideology Rushefsky describes
here, on page 37, “the conservative position is that if government is to play a role, then it should
6
“Where We Work: Humanitarian Assistance,” U.S. Agency for International Development, August 6, 2020,
https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance/where-we-work.
7
“On 21 November 2009, Dominic was selected to represent the Conservatives in Esher and Walton. On 6 May
2010, he was elected MP with 59% of the vote, doubling the Conservative majority, on a turnout of 72%.
In 2011, Dominic was voted ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at The Spectator’s annual Parliamentarian of the Year Awards.
Between 2010 and 2015, he served on the Joint Committee on Human Rights and Education Select Committee”
Dominic Raab, “About Dominic Raab,” Dominic Raab (Peter Szanto , 2019), https://dominicraab.com/about-dom-
raab/.
8
The full quote,” We have been clear about the new national security law that China has imposed on the people of
Hong Kong. That is a clear and serious violation of the UK-China joint declaration, and with it a violation of China’s
freely assumed international obligations”. Para. 4
Dominic Raab and Lisa Nandy, “China,” Hansard, July 20, 2020, https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-07-
20/debates/E0E37EC2-FB95-4FA6-86A7-76F82D2118C3/China.
9
Direct quote “To be clear, the extension of the embargo will mean there will be no exports from the UK to Hong
Kong of potentially lethal weapons, their components or ammunition, and it will also meet a ban on the export of
any equipment not already banned that might be used for internal repression, such as shackles, intercept
equipment, firearms and smoke grenades” para. 6
Dominic Raab and Lisa Nandy, “China,” Hansard, July 20, 2020, https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-07-
20/debates/E0E37EC2-FB95-4FA6-86A7-76F82D2118C3/China.
4
Trumps tariffs are not currently based on the ideology of a conservative, he “plans for tariffs on
$50 billion worth of imports from China. These tariffs are being imposed to encourage China to
change the unfair practices identified in the Section 30111 action with respect to technology and
innovation”12 – not because of the inhumane treatment brought upon millions of minorities.
Without acknowledging China’s known camps, Trump is allowing for a continuum of slavery to
be held in China.
While Conservatives approve the idea of civil interventions, Libertarians are notoriously
known for rejecting the idea of government interventions in most aspects of life; they believe
also, in the inalienable rights of all humans, regardless of any bias. Rushesky says “Libertarians
prefer freedom to both equality and order… Libertarians seek minimal government, one that
does the least amount necessary to keep society and private markets running”13. Although
Libertarians oppose government involvement, they are known for their die-hard protection of
basic human rights. With the definition “Everyone may do anything he wants to do, provided he
does not threaten, or initiate, violence against innocent people”14, I would assume the “middle
party” would be the first to speak on these obvious violent acts. Confirming the thought of
Libertarians wanting to help suffering countries and their people, The Libertarian party states,
10
Mark E. Rushefsky, “Chapter 1 : Process, Structure and Ideology,” in Public Policy in the United States (Armonk,
NY: M.E. Sharpe, Inc., 2013), pp. 35-37.
11
“Investigation: Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation,” United States Trade Representative,
August 21, 2017, https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/section-301-
china/investigation.
12
Donald Trump, “Statement from the President Regarding Trade with China,” The White House (The United States
Government, June 18, 2018), https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-regarding-
trade-china-2/.
13
Mark E. Rushefsky, “Chapter 1 : Process, Structure and Ideology,” in Public Policy in the United States (Armonk,
NY: M.E. Sharpe, Inc., 2013), pp. 35-37.
14
Block, Walter E. 2015. “Natural Rights, Human Rights, and Libertarianism.” American Journal of Economics &
Sociology 74 (1): 29–62. doi:10.1111/ajes.12086.
5
“Libertarians believe that American foreign policy should focus more heavily on developing
While I presume both parties to believe in the protection of every person’s inalienable
rights, I can conclude that neither party is currently interested in defending the human rights of
15
“Foreign Policy,” Libertarian Party, February 23, 2017, https://www.lp.org/issues/foreign-policy/.
6
Bibliography
An Image from inside of One of China's "Reeducation Camps" - the Muslims Fate, from This
Photo, Depicts a Similar Resemblance of the Jewish from Nazi Germany's Concentration
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Patrick, Stewart. “The Role of the U.S. Government in Humanitarian Intervention.” U.S.
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https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-07-20/debates/E0E37EC2-FB95-4FA6-
86A7-76F82D2118C3/China.
Raab, Dominic. “About Dominic Raab.” Dominic Raab. Peter Szanto , 2019.
https://dominicraab.com/about-dom-raab/.
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