Human Geography – Essay Plans
Unit 1 – Human Rights
To what extent has intervention in human rights contributed to development in a named LIDC?
Introduction - To a large extent – successfully contributed to HR although less success in the long-
term. Demonstrated by Afghanistan.
Para 1:
“Whilst intervention in Afghanistan by international agencies did bring about
many positive changes to human rights issues in the short term, there were also
significant and unintended negative effects of such global governance
strategies.”
Short-term: AfghanAid has provided 3,900 water filters and distributed food= restored
access to basic standards of living = improved social development.
The UN Security Council deployed 5,000 peacekeeping troops in Afghanistan to prevent
further outbreak of conflict – until September 2020
Social - NGOs such as Médecins Sans Frontier (Doctors Without Borders) can administer
urgent medical attention on to those injured in a conflict.
Economy - NGOs such as AfghanAid - in collaboration with the government - offer technical
advice to farmers to help economies grown during the conflict – boosts economy and
resources
But – less success in promoting equal access to education due to entrenched patriarchal
social norms – only likely to succeed in the long-term = short-term failure socially.
Economic – Taliban disagrees with improving rights so tries to disrupt this - Damage to
property & infrastructure - In 2015, the Taliban destroyed 123km of roads. – NGOs not able
to help people – people don’t have access to resources as well
President Ghani had criticised the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
for not getting aid money to the country’s people – tension between countries
Para 2:
“I believe that the long term effects of the global governance of human rights
issues have been largely positive and have built on the short positive effects.
However, this will change temporally as terrorist groups continue to rise”
Long-term: UNAMA has helped to coordinate fair, democratic elections = reduction in
corruption and more accessible elections has improved right to take part in governance and
fair justice system = improved political development.
The Elimination of Violence Against Women Law of 2009 criminalises domestic violence,
potentially offering greater protection to females.
Social and economic - From 2001 to 2013, children enrolling in school increased from 1
million to 6 million, 40% of which were girls - With school enrolment on the increase, the
long term hope is that this will lead to greater employment opportunities for Afghans,
especially women.
But – not sustainable – prior to international withdrawal The World Bank (2018) estimates
that international aid currently comprises 40% of Afghanistan’s GDP. This aid is used to
maintain state functions – not sustainable as they rely on other people
UN Security council withdrawing (sept 2020) has seen the return of insurgents like the
Taliban, recent school attack killed 50 people = mitigates political and social development.
, Since the US withdrawal and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 - one in
five were sending children to engage in labor – children don’t receive education –
unemployment – lack of money for living (poor standard – malnutrition)
Conclusion - Overall – generally successful in Afghanistan but more so in the short-term, long-term
work is under threat of being undone with the withdrawal of UN and NATO troops.
To what extent has intervention in human rights contributed to development in a named LIDC?
DRC
Short term
- UNJHRO introduced 5 new Task Forces (TFs) to deal with most severe human rights viola ons,
including the Violation of Economic Rights & Illegal Mining - more people are now in formal
employment, giving the government an increased tax base and greater capital to spend on services.
- War child - War Child’s free helplines allow children to speak directly to trained counsellors and
social workers who can refer them to local child protection organisations (previous violation of rights
to education - armed conflict had a severe impact on education. Dozens of schools were used as IDP
camps or as military bases for the army or armed groups.
- Women report average personal earnings of $1.74 per day at graduation, compared to $0.76 at
enrolment. 91,000 women have benefitted since 2004. – only a year scheme HOWEVER, small scall
- CHALLENGES – Literacy rates actually decreased to 64% during MONUSCO presence.- Difficult
to change social norms - 80% of women believe it is justified for a husband to beat their wife =
trouble in changing harmful social norms has hindered positive social impact.
- Inequality - According to the IMF, from 2005 to 2012, poverty increased by 35% in the two Kasai
provinces while declining in the two conflict-torn provinces of Kivu that bene ted from significant
intervention. Rural areas are more affected than urban areas by poverty, with the rate exceeding 90%.
The isolation of rural communities makes it more difficult for human rights abuses to be tackled
directly through intervention, and any changes made in urban areas will trickle down fairly slowly.
Long term
- The UNJHRO advocates with state officials to improve the human rights by lobbying for the
adoption of laws, meaning that changes to human rights become the ‘norm’ as they are protected in
law.
- UNJHRO encourage Congolese citizens to complain to authorities about human rights violations,
whilst reminding the gov of their obligation to protect civilians. - The work of UNJHRO consists of
reporting human rights violations, meaning that discussing human rights abuses becomes less ‘taboo’
and so appropriate actions are taken to support individuals.
- MONUSCO - Security Council approved an “intervention brigade” comprising 19,815 troops to
neutralize armed groups, especially in eastern DRC. MONUSCO very effective in eradicating eastern
militia groups (In Eastern region called Kivu)= impactful – restored civil order and allowed for
redevelopment which is less hindered by conflict
- CHALLENGES - There is a ban on the gathering of 10 or more people (which does not apply to
pro-government supporters), therefore making change difficult when even basic rights are not
,recognised by the gov – Violation of Freedoms of association & assembly - blanket bans on public
protests were imposed or maintained in the capital Kinshasa. Protesters who called on President
Kabila to stand down in Dec 2016 - more than 40 people were killed – tense political situation
HOWEVER as more social norms change this will be less influential
To what extent do you agree that the global governance of human rights only has negative
consequences?
Introduction – Overall, I agree that there are negative consequences that occur as a result of the global
governance of human rights. However, these consequences are generally short term caused by
tensions between groups such as terrorist groups and the government as shown in Afghanistan.
Additionally, global governance can result in improved human rights in the long term as shown by
changing social norms thus showing a clear positive impact. Therefore, I disagree with the statement
as despite negative consequences being present there are also positive impacts and in the long term
these impacts greatly outweigh any short term tension.
Negative consequences
Terrorist groups such as the Taliban oppose the strategies to govern human rights.
This results in these groups causing conflict.
Social impact… Civilian casualties - A resurgent Taliban campaign, allied with the so-called
Islamic State (IS), has claimed 10,000 civilian casualties (injured + killed) in 2017 alone.
Economic impact… Damage to property & infrastructure - In 2015, the Taliban destroyed
123km of roads.
Positive consequences – Short term
Social impact… Provision of shelter, sanitation, food & water - NGOs such as Oxfam
collect monetary and material donations from the public to offer temporary shelter and
supplies to those affected by conflict.
Political impact… Preventing further outbreak of conflict - The UN Security Council
deployed 5,000 peacekeeping troops in Afghanistan to prevent further outbreak of conflict
(there until Sept 2020).
Positive consequences – Long term
Social impact… Freedom from the abuses of human rights - In 2009, the Afghan
government tried to abolish Shia Family Law, which condones spousal rape and child
marriage.
Socio-economic impact…Internalisation of accepted societal norms and greater
employment opportunities - From 2001 to 2013, children enrolling in school increased
from 1 million to 6 million, 40% of which were girls (unthinkable under Taliban rule).
With school enrolment on the increase, the long term hope is that this will lead to greater
employment opportunities for Afghans, especially women.
Political impact…Strengthened judicial system & new laws - The Elimination of Violence
Against Women Law of 2009 criminalises domestic violence, potentially offering greater
protection to females.
Evaluate the short and long term effects of the global governance of human rights issues.
Introduction – Overall, global governance of human rights has many effects on the country socially,
economically and politically. Afghanistan, an LIDC, has been the site of many global governance
strategies due to their lack of human rights as a result of ongoing conflict. In the short term, there are
both positive and negative consequences. It could be argued the negative consequences outweigh the
positive at this point as many of the strategies take time to work as they require a change in social
norms whereas short term tensions can easily arise between groups. However, in the long term I
would argue the effects are predominantly positive as the strategies have had time to become effective
and we are able to see a shift towards improving human rights.
, Negative consequences
Terrorist groups such as the Taliban oppose the strategies to govern human rights.
This results in these groups causing conflict.
Social impact… Civilian casualties - A resurgent Taliban campaign, allied with the so-called
Islamic State (IS), has claimed 10,000 civilian casualties (injured + killed) in 2017 alone.
Economic impact… Damage to property & infrastructure - In 2015, the Taliban destroyed
123km of roads.
Positive consequences – Short term
Social impact… Provision of shelter, sanitation, food & water - NGOs such as Oxfam
collect monetary and material donations from the public to offer temporary shelter and
supplies to those affected by conflict.
Political impact… Preventing further outbreak of conflict - The UN Security Council
deployed 5,000 peacekeeping troops in Afghanistan to prevent further outbreak of conflict
(there until Sept 2020).
Positive consequences – Long term
Social impact… Freedom from the abuses of human rights - In 2009, the Afghan
government tried to abolish Shia Family Law, which condones spousal rape and child
marriage.
Socio-economic impact…Internalisation of accepted societal norms and greater
employment opportunities - From 2001 to 2013, children enrolling in school increased
from 1 million to 6 million, 40% of which were girls (unthinkable under Taliban rule).
With school enrolment on the increase, the long term hope is that this will lead to greater
employment opportunities for Afghans, especially women.
Political impact…Strengthened judicial system & new laws - The Elimination of Violence
Against Women Law of 2009 criminalises domestic violence, potentially offering greater
protection to females.
‘The short term effects of the global governance of human rights have a more significant impact than
the long term effects.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Introduction - Overall, impact varies spatially – refer to the DRC and Afghanistan.
Para 1:
Afghanistan: Short-term very beneficial and impactful – AfghanAid has been effective in
providing basic necessities + 78 new wells + provided 3,900 water filters = AfghanAid’s
efforts to ensure adequate standards of living have been incredibly successful and improved
social conditions significantly.
In contrast – long-term governance has been less impactful – UNAMA’s efforts to
legitimise the Afghan government and encourage democratic elections have been undermined
by the return of the Taliban following the withdrawal of UN and NATO forces – recent
school shooting killed over 50 people = long-term of little impact because the UNAMA’s
strategy has been undermined by the return of rebel militias.
Conclusion – short-term governance more impactful.
Para 2:
DRC: Short-term somewhat impactful – refer to work of Women for Women. But – still
struggling to change patriarchal social norms in a society where surveys suggest 80% of
women believe it is justified for a husband to beat their wife = trouble in changing harmful
social norms has hindered positive social impact.
