Human Rights Correspondence School

Violence against women is a long standing and deep rooted occurrence. 'Modernity' has simply led to a change in its forms, rather than elimination. Not only is this violence a violation of women’s basic rights, but it is also an issue of discrimination, speaking to a fundamental problem within society. Unless women and men are truly considered equal, society cannot progress effectively.

Freedom of expression and opinion is one of the most basic human rights to be enjoyed by all. This right is not only key to individual growth and dignity, but also to the effective functioning of democratic society. With many societies in Asia failing the test of genuine democracy, the freedom of expression is also curtailed and violated. This leads to the violation of many other rights, and causes much oppression and discord within society.

Even though human rights are today well ennumerated and encoded into international law, there continues to be uncertainty and confusion regarding their nature and meaning. This lesson will introduce the concept of human rights, as well as its historical development. The ideas of liberty, equality and universality--all making up today's notion of human rights, will also be discussed.

This lesson will discuss visiting prisons as a way to protect and promote human rights. Prisons throughout Asia are rife with abuse and violations, denying their occupants numerous basic rights, including adequate food, sanitation and dignity. In fact, prisons are places where detainees' rights are further violated.

This lesson introduces a means to internationally monitor and assess the human rights situation of United Nation member states, the Universal Periodic Review. As human rights are legally based on United Nations’ principles and treaties, so the evaluation of a state’s committment and action towards realizing these rights is now based on this system established by the United Nations in 2006.

Discrimination of any kind, be it racial, religious or gender based, is a gross violation of basic human rights. Such discrimination directly affects the realization of all human rights, including civil and political rights, as well as economic and social rights. Caste discrimination--most commonly occurring in South Asia -- is discrimination based upon descent, whereby individuals are marked by their caste from birth, and are obliged to follow various rules regarding occupation, housing and other social customs. These rules, particularly when dealing with those of a ‘lower’ caste, denies persons free will and choice regarding their lives. They also result in violations of the right to food, to land, to housing and shelter, to vote, to participate in public and social life.

Corruption and its ill effects can be found throughout Asia, from government officials, politicians, social welfare institutes to business practices and routine daily affairs. The prevalence of corruption is directly linked to a breakdown in the rule of law. On the one hand, when justice institutions are not functioning, when the law is not upheld, there is no mechanism to check and prevent corruption. On the other hand, the existence of corruption renders law meaningless, as law is now dependent on money or personal connections.

This lesson introduces the right to the truth, which is an inherent part of international law. This right is fundamental in situations of human rights violations, and is closely linked to the realization of many rights. The lesson outlines various international law provisions making up the right to the truth. It also examines various cases and countries in Asia where the right is commonly denied.

This lesson will discuss the issue of arbitrary detention, which is a prevalent practice in the Asian region. It is used by state agents for various means, including instilling fear, silencing dissent, and even extortion. The lesson will examine cases of arbitrary detention, and how they inevitably lead to further rights abuses, including torture and disappearance. The lesson will also look at various international norms and standards preventing arbitrary detention

While international principles endorse an absolute prohibition against torture, the practice is prevalent throughout Asia. This lesson discusses the act of torture, its relationship to other human rights and international provisions against it. The lesson also examines the situation regarding torture in 10 Asian countries. In this way, the lesson is an attempt to increase public awareness and debate on the nature of torture and its consequences for society as a whole, for democracy and the rule of law.