2. Are human rights universal?

Activity 1 - What is cultural relativism?

Activity Tasks

Watch - Watch and make notes from this video on cultural relativism. Once finished, create your own definition of what you think cultural relativism means. Can you give an example of it?
Review - Study this diagram which shows a continuum of views about human rights. Where would you place yourself along this line?
Read - Examine this article entitled, 'Cultural Relativism in the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council'. Read pages 7-15 and make notes on how cultural relativism influences present day state relations around human rights.
Discuss - Do you think cultural relativism is justified? In pairs, discuss your thoughts then create a table with arguments for and against.

Activity Tasks

Analyse - Get into three groups. Each group will explore one of the case studies from pages 45-47 of Murphy, R. & Gleek, C. (2016). Pearson Baccalaureate: Global Politics. Make notes on claims and counter-claims that cultural relativism is justified in these cases. Choose between:
1. Women’s Rights in Saudi Arabia
2. Female Genital Mutilation in Egypt
3. LGBTQ Rights in Uganda
Discuss - Then discuss these questions:
1. How does the regional or local practice clash with the concept of Human Rights?
2. What are the arguments on either side with regards to what is happening?
3. Why might this show that if Human Rights are a Western construct that does not apply to different regions?
Extend - Try exploring the issue of female genital mutilation in more detail. Read and make notes from this article to explore more about this case study.

Activity Tasks

Examine - Examine this article about the universality of human rights. Make notes on the arguments that human rights are universal, and the argument that cultural relativism is more important.
Write - To what extent are human rights universal? Write an extended paragraph outlining your views with supporting arguments.
Debate - Research and debate the following motion in groups, “The concept of human rights is universal and should apply to all cultures.”