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Does the West still value human rights in light of its dismissal of Khashoggi's death? Does the West still value human rights in light of its dismissal of Khashoggi's death?
Yes, the universal norm of human rights still holds strong in the West Yes, the universal norm of human rights still holds strong in the West
Yes, despite that Western countries and non-Western countries perceive human rights differently Yes, despite that Western countries and non-Western countries perceive human rights differently
Hard to say, because promoting human rights globally is complicated Hard to say, because promoting human rights globally is complicated
Not exactly, Western governments' positions on honouring human rights are selective Not exactly, Western governments' positions on honouring human rights are selective
No. Western governments are hypocrites on so-called belief in human rights No. Western governments are hypocrites on so-called belief in human rights
World powers unite with western countries to support global human rights World powers unite with western countries to support global human rights
Western countries have organizations that help countries that need help Western countries have organizations that help countries that need help
Countries set different goals for human rights Countries set different goals for human rights
Human rights are expressive of Western norms Human rights are expressive of Western norms
Denial of human rights obligations is difficult to punish Denial of human rights obligations is difficult to punish
The importance of civil vs cultural rights is debated The importance of civil vs cultural rights is debated
The West can't interfere in others' domestic affairs The West can't interfere in others' domestic affairs
The West compromises human rights in other countries for economic gains The West compromises human rights in other countries for economic gains
The West is threatened by economic growth in developing countries The West is threatened by economic growth in developing countries
Human rights norms were formed by the West Human rights norms were formed by the West
The west overlooks human rights for financial agreements The west overlooks human rights for financial agreements
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Does the West still value human rights in light of its dismissal of Khashoggi's death?
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Yes, the universal norm of human rights still holds strong in the West

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World powers unite with western countries to support global human rights

The United Nations is an organization made to bring peace to the world and prevent wars. The countries that are part of the UN are America, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. Western countries like the United Kingdom and Australia make regular contributions to the UN to make the world a better place.
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Context

The United Nations was established in 1945 after World War 2 to keep peace in the world and hopefully avoid war amongst nations. The west has made major contributions to upholding world peace and sustaining human rights since the United Nations was established. Saudi Arabia was one of the founders of the United Nations as well as a state of the UN. However, they have been under scrutiny because of their government’s use of power. After Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian journalist for the New York Times, was murdered, the Saudi Arabian prince, Mohammad bin Salman, was accused of by the CIA to have ordered his assassination. The prince denied is involvement and instead claimed that 5 suspects were found. Instead, of investigating further, President Trump expressed satisfaction in suspects being held accountable, although the CIA disagreed. After the ordeal, people in the West have wondered if their countries overlook human rights for international relationships.

The Argument

The west (North America, Europe, and Australia) has been fighting for human rights for decades. During World War 2, America and Europe fought against the Axis powers to save Jewish people from genocide. To make sure a big war like World War 2 was prevented, major world powers from all over the globe joined to make the United Nations. The United Nations is an organization that includes countries such as Austria, the Bahamas, and Egypt. Western countries such as North America, several European countries, and Australia. They’ve gone into countries such as Iraq, Syria, and France to fight against terrorizing powers. They’ve also provided financial aid to countries like Uganda and Nigeria. The west has put in so much effort for human equality around the globe through the United Nations. They’ve helped stop World War 2 and current wars. America, France, and the United Kingdom have fought against ISIS and America fought against Osama bin Laden, a terrorist.[1] If the west didn’t believe in human rights, they would not be helping others.

Counter arguments

Western countries weren’t entirely helpful in World War 2. America didn’t join the war or consider Jewish holocaust victims till Japanese Axis forces bombed Pearl Harbor. Europe was pinned down and France was taken over. When America joined the fight, there was more firepower and numbers. But they also went overboard by using an atomic bomb on innocent civilians in Japan. The west takes too much credit for being part of the United Nations. The west believes that they were the first countries to incorporate total human rights. They believe all countries that aren’t westernized, need to be like them. Instead, the west has caused more problems within the United Nations than good. The west only focuses on helping countries that benefit their own countries. Instead of building autonomy for struggling countries, they make them dependent on money from outside help. The west isn’t for truly for human rights. They only help when it’s convenient for them or when it strokes their ego.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Western countries pushed back the Axis powers for the sake of Holocaust victims. [P2] The west has put in a lot of effort to bring human rights to so many different countries.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] America was not interested in fighting in World War 2 while Europe was struggling to keep the Axis powers from taking territory. [Rejecting P2] The west only helps countries that their allied with.

References

  1. https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2019/09/11/remembering-why-we-are-at-war-in-afghanistan/
This page was last edited on Friday, 24 Jul 2020 at 16:43 UTC

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