(W.E.Talk) Jones Cooper: Challenges and Solutions for Global Human Rights Governance

——An exclusive interview with Jones Cooper, Professor from the School of Public Administration at University of Panama and Former Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama

By Guan Yilun with China News Service (CNS)

September 8, 2024

The first China-Latin American and Caribbean States Roundtable on Human Rights is to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the coming Tuesday. The theme of it is “The Diversity of Civilization and the Choice of the Path to Realize Human Rights”. How to understand the concept of human rights? What are the challenges that global human rights governance is facing? And how should we address them? Jones Cooper, professor from the School of Public Administration at University of Panama and former Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama, recently gave an exclusive interview to W. E. Talk at China News Service to offer his explanation of these issues.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

CNS: How do you understand the concept of human rights?

Jones Cooper: The concept of human rights was consolidated after the Second World War, with the creation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945 and the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. These events marked a milestone in the institutionalization of human rights at a global level, establishing a common standard of rights and freedoms for all individuals, without distinction of race, sex, nationality, religion or other condition.

Human rights must be understood as the rights that we have basically for existing as human beings; they are not guaranteed by any State. These universal rights are inherent to all of us, regardless of nationality, gender, ethnic or national origin, color, religion, language or any other status. They vary from the most fundamental – the right to life – to those that give value to our lives, such as the rights to food, education, work, health and freedom.

Of course, this encompasses all areas of citizen development by referring to powers, freedoms and claims in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres, which is the result of a progressive development of human rights in history. Within the framework of globalization, we recognize the meaning and characteristics of human rights when we affirm that these are: inherent in the human person; universal; they are based on axiological principles and ethical values; unalienable; inalienable; imprescriptible; indivisible; irreversible; progressive; absolutes; unconditional; they constitute limitations on public officials; they are recognized and protected both nationally and internationally.

We thus see that the greater presence of human rights in the international arena is, without a doubt, the result of the consensus to look towards the human being who lives in a globalized world.

CNS: What are the challenges that global human rights governance is facing?

Jones Cooper: Economic and social inequalities are significant challenges. Despite progress in development, many people continue to face discrimination and exclusion. Extreme poverty, lack of access to education and health care are realities that affect millions. To address this problem, governments must implement inclusive policies that promote equal opportunities. In addition, it must be ensured that marginalized groups have access to adequate justification and resources.

Violence and armed conflict also present serious obstacles. In regions where there is war or social tensions, human rights are often ignored. Civilians become the main victims, facing forced displacement, sexual violence and other serious violations. To face this challenge, it is essential to promote dialogue and mediation. Furthermore, international institutions must ensure that those responsible for serious violations are brought to justice.

Climate change is an emerging challenge that directly affects human rights. Vulnerable communities are the most affected by extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts. This can result in the loss of land, water resources and livelihoods. Governments must integrate the protection of human rights into their climate policies. This includes ensuring that affected communities are part of the decision-making process about the use of their resources and sustainable development.

Currently, sustainability is a very marked topic in dialogues and agreements based on global governance between countries. Today, there are many developing countries in the world seeking ways to meet their own development and integration needs internationally, but with the growing threat of climate change. New efforts must be sought and made within governance between countries to ensure that today's development does not affect or negatively impact future generations, thus guaranteeing the balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.

On the other hand, we must understand sustainability as “a process” that has the objective of finding the balance between the environment and the use of natural resources that is today part of the challenges of globalization. Understanding that humanity in its passage through the planet has degraded natural resources in such a way that it is currently necessary to seek and conscientiously plan their consumption to guarantee their existence in future generations, if we want to guarantee stability in their resources, human security and respect for their human rights for generations to come.

CNS: How should we address these challenges?

Jones Cooper: Global human rights governance has developed and evolved to include a wide range of international treaties, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and procedures for reporting and resolving human rights violations.

Due to the above, it should be noted that this work commitment, in order to guarantee the legal frameworks, political, management and administrative institutions and processes, is intended to respond to the needs of all individuals.

Global human rights governance faces numerous challenges that require immediate attention. However, there are viable solutions that can help address these issues. By strengthening international institutions, implementing inclusive policies, preventing conflicts, integrating human rights into climate policies and regulating the use of technology, it is possible to move towards a world where human rights are respected and protected for all. Only through a collective and coordinated effort can we ensure that dignity and justice are a reality for all people in the world.

Today, actions in society that interconnect the policies of governments with respect to individuals are considered examples of good governance in the protection of human rights. Therefore, these actions of the State to protect the rights of people mean that it must be considered: acting with judicial independence; that there is openness and appropriate conditions for citizen participation, through the active action of society; governments must act with full transparency and guarantee access to public information; the obligation to render accounts and, above all, continue to guarantee education in human rights to all.

Edited by: An Yingzhao