Article Abstract:
The Soviet Union and the US both backed dictatorships that were involved in abuses of human rights, and criticised each other for doing so. This changed in the late 1970s when President Jimmy Carter sought to make human rights a priority for US foreign policy. Progress on human rights continued, though its was hampered by the superpowers' attitudes. The end of the cold war brought more public monitoring of human rights by the United Nations. International pressure can lead to constraints on governments, though some, such as Myanmar, are oblivious to international pressure.
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Article Abstract:
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made in 1948, with the 50th anniversary to be celebrated at the United Nations on Dec 10 1998. There have been many reports on abuses of human rights in different countries, but the fact that they are reported shows that the issue is taken seriously. Non-governmental organizations and consumer organizations have campaigned on human-rights issues and multinational companies have had to take human rights seriously.
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Article Abstract:
Human-rights organisations are increasingly broadening their focus to include 'positive liberties' such as the right to health care and food. However, any laws would have to be vague if they were to be universal.
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