Non-Aligned Movement

Question 1: Give two main features of the policy of non-alignment.
Answer: (i) It is opposed to military alliances.
(ii) It upholds the rights of all people for freedom and justice.

Question 2: Name two architects of the NAM.

Answer: The two architects of the NAM were:
(i) Jawaharlal Nehru of India. (ii) Joseph Broz Tito of Yugoslavia.

Question 3: What is Panchsheel?
Answer: It is peace agreement of five principles signed between India and China in 1954.

Question 4: State three basic objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Answer: (i) Maintenance of international peace.
(ii) Abolition of colonialism and imperialism.
(iii) Protection of environment.

Question 5: When was the first summit of NAM at Belgrade held?
Answer: The first summit was held at Belgrade in 1961.

Question 6: How many countries attended first summit of NAM at Belgrade summit?
Answer: 25 countries attended this summit.

Question 7: Mention two issues discussed at the first summit of NAM at Belgrade summit.
Answer: (i) Disarmament (ii) Colonialism.

Question 8: Who presided over this conference?
Answer: The conference was presided over by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lai Nehru.

Short Questions – I

Question 1: When did the concept of non-alignment emerge? Why?
Answer: The concept of non-alignment emerged during the Cold War. After the Second World War, the world was divided into two power blocs-one led by the USA and the other by the Soviet Union. The newly independent nations decided to remain non-aligned and not join either of the two power blocs.

Question 2: Describe briefly what is meant by non-alignment?
Answer: Npn-alignment is an independent movement that enables each nation to follow its own policies by neither joining any super-power bloc nor coming under their influence.

Question 3: What led to the formation of NAM?
Answer: The following reasons led to the formation of NAM:
(i) Freedom and reawakening of the nations of Asia and Africa.
(ii) Poverty of newly independent nations.
(iii) Newly independent countries wanted peace in the world.

Question 4: Non-alignment does not mean ‘isolation’ or ‘neutrality’. Why?
Answer: Non-alignment does not mean ‘isolation’ or ‘neutrality’ because it is a positive and constructive policy leading to freedom, security, peace and co-operation.

Question 5: Mention some issues discussed at the first NAM summit.
Answer: The first summit of the non-algined countries was held at Belgrade in 1961. A 27 point Declaration was adopted. Some of the parts were:
(i) It condemned all forms of colonialism.
(ii) It called for complete disarmament.

Question 6: What were Pt. Nehru’s views about non-alignment?
Answer: Nehru wanted India to follow the non-aligned policy because he wanted India to keep away
from power politics of groups aligned against one another. He felt that the urgent need of the Afro-Asian countries was to use all their resources for the welfare of their own people and not be used by the super-powers to serve their own global interests.

Question 7: In what way did Nehru advocate a policy of disarmament?
Answer: (i) He consistently condemned building up of weapons of destruction.
(ii) An agreement for banning atomic tests was signed in 1963.

Question 8: How was NAM instrumental in abolishing the policy of Apartheid in South Africa?
Answer: Under the guidance of Nehru, India sponsored a resolution in the UN in 1962, calling upon the member states to take diplomatic action and economic steps against South Africa to make change her policy of apartheid. Apart from this, all the NAM countries fully co-operated with the united nation’s resolutions on the economic boycott of South Africa.

Question 9: Mention any two major problems faced by NAM.
Answer: (i) Majority of members have always depended on economic and other kinds of aid from the big powers.
(ii) Many of the non-aligned countries like Pakistan and Cuba have also been allies of a power-bloc which raised question about their sincerity.

Question 10: While explaining the basic principles of non-alignment, what did Nehru propose?
Answer: (i) To keep away from power blocs or groups aligned against each other.
(ii) To keep on the closest terms of friendship with all countries.

Question 11: What is the significance of the Bandung Conference?
Answer: The Bundung Conference paved the way for co-operation among the newly independent nation, which took the formal shape of the Non-Aligned movement.

Short Questions – II

Question 1: What is meant by Non-Aligned movement.
Answer: Meaning of Non-Aligned Movement: The non-alignment refers to an independent policy adopted by a country while keeping away from the power blocs. It is distinct from neutrality which means keeping aleof from international politics. Thus, non-alignment is a positive concept. Non-Aligned Movement refers to the organised efforts of those states which follow the policy of Non-Alignment. Most of the developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America are the members of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Question 2: Why did Nehru advise all the newly independent Afro-Asian nations to keep themselves away from the influence of the super-powers?
Answer: Nehru advised all the newly independent nations of Asia and Africa to keep themselves away form the influence of the super powers because most of these countries were poor and underdeveloped. They had been through so much strife during their national struggle that they really needed peace. Nehru was worried that these countries might lose their complete independence if they joined any power bloc.

Question 3: State the issues discussed at Banding conference.
Answer: (i) The five principles of Panchsheel were given practical slope at the Bandung Conference of 1955.
(ii) The delegates condemned colonialism.
(iii) The need for economic growth in the third world countries was emphasised.

Question 4: Mention the five principles which form the core of ‘Panchsheel’.
Answer: The five basic principles, known as Panchsheel, adopted at the Bandung Conference of 1955 are:
(i) Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
(ii) Mutual non-aggression.
(iii) Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
(iv) Equality for mutual benefit.
(v) Peaceful co-existence.

Question 5: State two actions taken by Jawahar Lal Nehru to further strengthen the cause of Non-Alignment.
Answer: Jawahar Lai Nehu was one of the four founder architects of NAM. His contribution to the movement is very significant. He enumerated the Panchsheel principles on which NAM is based. From the begining, Nehru opposed supporting any power bloc and insisted on judging every incident according to its merits. Nehru called for an Asian Relation conference even before India gained her independence, where he stressed the need for Asian co-operation. This was the precursor of NAM.

Question 6: Explain how Non-Alignment is neither neutrality, nor neutralisation, nor non-commitment.
Answer: (i) It does not remain aloof from international problems. It actively participates in the politics among nations. So, non-alignment stands for action rather than passivity.
(ii) The newly independent nations realised that although they do not have the miliarty and economic powers to influence international affairs, they had great moral force and with their collective reason they could maintain or promote world peace on their own.
(iii) NAM has supported the cause of international peace, justice and freedom. It has vehemently stood against any injustice, be it the Suez crisis in 1956, aggressive policies of Israel or the unilateral attack by the USA against Iraq.

Long Questions

Question 1: Discuss the factors that led to the formation of NAM.
Answer: (i) Global tension caused by the cold war: Most of the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa realised that the division of the world into two power blocs was not in their larger interest and this might endanger world peace. These nations felt that by distancing themselves from the power blocs they would put off the danger of another world war.
(ii) Struggle against imperialism and new-colonialism: The newly independent nations had become free after long and bitter struggles. They wanted to enjoy their newly acquired freedom and the power that had come with it.
(iii) Right of independent judgement: These nations were able to keep their own identity
by not aligning with the power blocs. They wanted to solve their problems themselves without any outside interference.
(iv) Use of moderation in relation to all big powers: They wanted to promote goodwill and co-operation among the nations of Asia and Africa and to explore and advance their mutual interest by establishing friendly relations with all the nations.
(v) Restructuring the international economic order: Most of these nations were economically backward. Since they needed both capital and technical sources to boost their economic development, they considered it worth while to get both the things from whoever they could, without any strings attached.
(vi) Formation of a collective force: They realised that they had great moral force and with their collective reason they could maintain or promote world peace.

Question 2: What were the objectives of NAM?
Answer: (i) To eliminate all those causes which would lead to war.
(ii) To protect the nascent freedom of the newly born independent countries of Asia and Africa from colonial domination.
(iii) To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination.
(iv) To advocate sovereign equality of all states.
(v) To encourage friendly relations among countries.
(vii) To advocate peaceful settlement of international disputes.
(vii) To oppose the use of force and the use of nuclear weapons.
(viii) To strengthen the United Nations as an organ of world peace.
(ix) To protect human rights and to protect the environment.
(x) To build a new international economic order based on equity, equality and justice.

Question 3: Describe the role of Non-Aligned Movement in world affairs.
Answer: A number of summits were held by NAM countries to discuss world problems.
(i) The non-aligned nations discussed world affairs at Belgrade in 1961 and Cairo in 1964, in order to bring peace in the world.
(ii) Economic resolutions were adopted at Algiers in 1973.
(iii) The New Delhi Summit in 1983 discussed about disarment and the Iran-Iraq conflict, the Palestinian disarmament and apartheid in South Africa.
(iv) At the Harare summit in 1986 apartheid and racial discrimination were condemned.
(v) When Nelson Mandela was freed in October 1989, he worked actively against apartheid with the full support of NAM.
(vi) The Jakarta Summit of 1992 formulated proposals for democratising the united nations and emphasised globalization of world economy.
(vii) The Kuala Lampur summit in 2003, demanded that the benefits of globalization and the advances in science and technology be shared by the rich and powerful countries with the developing countries.
(viii) At the Havana summit in 2006 the NAM member countries condemned Israel’s attack on Lebanon, supported Iran’s nuclear energy plans and criticised USA’s foreign policy.
NAM still has relevance as with the changing world the member countries have changed their emphasis. NAM is now stressing on human rights, democracy and economic development.

Question 4: What is India’s role in NAM?
Answer: India’s role in NAM:
(i) Jawahar Lai Nehru played a leading role in the evolution of NAM. It was Jawahar Lai Nehru who elaborated refined and popularised the concept of non alignment. Nehru along with Nasser of Egypt and Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia played the leading role in the evolution, establishment and consolidation of Non Aligned movement.
(ii) Nehru, before independence convened the Asian Relations conference in New Delhi in March 1947, which was instrumental in forging unity among Asian nations.
(iii) He enunciated the five principles of peaceful co-existence named Panchsheel. These principle are also the core principle of the NAM.
(iv) A policy of friendship, cooperation and world peace was pursued under him. He pleaded for disarmament as the only means of preserving peace in the world.

Picture Based Questions

Question 1: Answer the following:

(i) Identify the persons in the picture given below.
(ii) With which movement they were associated?
Answer: (i) The persons in the picture are (From Left) Nasser, Tito and Nehru.
(ii) They were associated with Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Question 1: What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Answer: The Universal Declaration is the first international definition of the rights of man.

Question 2: When is the Human Rights Day celebrated?

Answer: The Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10th December every year since 1950.

Question 3: How many Articles are there in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Answer: There are 30 Articles including the Preamble in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Out of these Article 1 and 2 form the basis of all other rights.

Question 4: Which Articles deal with the civil and political rights?
Answer: Article 3 to 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights deals with the civil and political rights.

Question 5: Which year was declared to be the International Year of Human Rights?
Answer: 1968 was declared as the International Year of Human Rights.

Question 6: What did the Declaration of Human Rights affirm?
Answer: It affirms social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.

Question 7: Name two organizations, which fight for Human Rights.
Answer: The two organizations fighting for Human Rights are:
(i) Amnesty International (ii) U.N. Human Rights Commission.

Question 8: When did the UN General Assembly adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Answer: The UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10th December 1948.

Question 9: When is the International Day of Solidarity with struggling people of South Africa declared?
Answer: 26th June the day of uprising of SOWETO in 1976 was proclaimed by the UNO as the International Day of Solidarity with struggling people of South Africa.

Question 10: When was the Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners celebrated by UNO?
Answer: 11th October 1976 was celebrated as the Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners.

Question 11: Where was Apartheid followed upto 1994?
Answer: In the Republic of South Africa.

Short Questions – I

Question 1: What is the importance of Articles 1 and 2.
Answer: (i) These are very important because these lay great thrust on the equality of all human beings.
(ii) These are important because denial of these basic Human Rights creates condetions of social and political unrest. It sows the seeds of violence and conflict within and between societies and nations.

Question 2: Name any four Human Rights included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which have been incorporated in the Constitution of India.
Answer: (i) Rights of equality, (ii) Right to freedom,
(iii) Right to constitutional remedies, (iv) Cultural and educational rights.

Question 3: How does the UN keeps a check on violations of Human Rights by member States.
Answer: The UN commission on Human Rights and its sub-commissin on prevention of discrimination and protection of minorities meet every year and discuss about the complaints. The General Assembly may impose sanctions And economic blockade against the State which is violating the Human Rights.

Question 4: How has the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights influenced the Fundamental Rights contained in the Indian Constitution?
Answer: The first five Fundamental Rights contained in the Indian Constitution had been influenced by the Bill of Rights in the U.N. Charter. It has become obligatory for all member States of the United Nations to ensure these basic conditions to their citizens.

Question 5: Who was the first UN High Commissioner for Human Rights? When was he appointed and for what purpose?
Answer: The first UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was appointed on 14th February, 1994. He was Mr. Joshe Ayala Lasso of Ecuador. He fought for the widespread discrimination against the world’s women and children.

Question 6: What functions does the Centre of Human Rights perform?
Answer: The Centre assists the organs of United Nations in promotion and protection of human rights, carries out researches and publishes and discriminates information about human rights. It has different branches, assisting bodies to carry out the job. The communication branch processes communication concerning alleged human rights violations.

Question 7: What is meant by Apartheid?
Answer: The official policy of racial discrimination and segregation practiced against Non-Whites by the White Government of South Africa is called Apartheid. The basis of Apartheid is the claim of the Whites being superior to Non-Whites. It is incompatible with the UN Charter, treated as crime against humanity.

Question 8: With reference to Human Rights write any four Civil Rights.
Answer: Civil Rights:
(i) All human being are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
(ii) Freedom from torture or cruel inhuman treatment.
(iii) Freedom from movement and the right to seek asylum.
(iv) Freedom of peaceful Assembly and association.

Question 9: With reference to the Human Rights, write any two Civil Rights.
Answer: Cultural Rights:
(i) The right to participate in the cultural life of the community.
(ii) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interest resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic protection of which he is the author.

Question 10: Why was it necessary to bring about the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’?
Answer: This Declaration of rights has set a common standard of achievement for all people and Nations. Every individual and organ of the society keeping the ideals of this Declaration in mind shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedom by progressive measures undertaken either at national or international level.

Question 11: Where is the Centre for Human Rights? What do you know about its composition?
Answer: The Centre for Human Rights is located at Geneva, in Switzerland. It is headed by the Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights and five branches and the office of High Commissioner.

Short Questions – II

Question 1: Why was it necessary to bring about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Answer: During and before the World War II, the Fascist and Nazi rulers of Italy and Germany committed inhuman atrocities against the Jews and indulged in gross violation of fundamental rights and freedom of people under their subjugation. This led to a strong movement for the protection of Human Right. After the end of war, the UN Charter also affirmed its faith in the protection of fundamental Human Rights. In this background the UN General Assembly adopted the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ on 10th December, 1948.

Question 2: What is meant by the term ‘Human Rights’?
Answer: Human Rights are those rights which every human being is entitled to enjoy. They are fundamental to one’s welfare and are derived from the inherent dignity of human being. The French declaration of the rights of man 1789 described it as ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’. Thus the inalienable rights of human beings are life, liberty and happiness.

Question 3: How has the UN Charter dealt with the problem of Human Rights?
Answer: Though a separate Charter is not made on Human Rights in the UN Charter the specific mention to Human Rights have been made at various places. Article 1 of the UN Charter proclaims ‘United Nations i§ to achieve international co-operation in promoting and encouraging respect for Human Rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.’

Question 4: When was the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ adopted?
Answer: The United Nations Commission on Human Rights prepared a draft on the general principles governing the human rights as a common standard of achievement for all people and nations. This declaration known as the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ the first of its kind were adopted by the General Assembly on 10th December, 1948.

Question 5: What do Articles 28 to 30 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights deal with?
Answer: Articles 28 and 30 recognize every ones entitlement to a social and international order in which the human rights as proclaimed by the Declaration may be fully realized. They may be limited only for the purpose of securing respect and recognition of these rights and freedom of others. Thus, some duties and responsibilities are also laid down for individuals for their community.

Question 6: What do you understand by the ‘Right to Protection’ by law?
Answer: This right includes the right to recognition as a person before law, right to judicial remedy, freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention or exile, the right to a fair trial and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, the right to be presumed innocent unless proved guilty. Right to protection of law against attacks on freedom from arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home or correspondence, honour and reputation.

Question 7: What is meant by Racial Discrimination?
Answer: Social Discrimination has been defined by Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965) as ‘any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin, which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition enjoyment of exercise, on an equal footing of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social cultural or any other field of public life.’

Question 8: With reference to Human Rights, Write any four economic Rights.
Answer: Economic Rights:
(i) The right of social security.
(ii) The right to work.
(iii) The right to equal pay for equal work.
(iv) The right to a standard of living, adequate for health and well being of oneself and of one’s family.

Question 9: What did the Declaration on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination stand for?
Answer: The Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was adopted by the General Assembly in 1963 to combat racism and Apartheid in the world with special emphasis in South Africa. It declared that discrimination between human beings on grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin was an offense to human dignity, a denial of Charter principles, a violation of the right proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and an obstruction in development of peaceful relations among people.

Question 10: What are the important conventions adopted by the General Assembly?
Answer: United Nations has done a great deal to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. Some of the important conventions adopted by the General Assembly were Conventions on Genocide (1948), Convention on Political Rights of Women (1952), Convention on Slavery (1956), Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (1965) and Convention on the Rights of Child (1989).

Question 11: When was the ‘International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Dis-crimination’ adopted and to what purpose?
Or
In 1963, the General Assembly adopted the ‘UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. What did it affirm?
Answer: The General Assembly adopted the ‘International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination’ in December, 1965. The convention came into force in 1969 and as its name suggests called for an end to Racial Discrimination in all its forms. It was mandatory for the States who ratified it.

Question 12: State two steps taken by the UN for elimination of racial discrimination in South Africa.
Answer: The UN passed several resolutions banning Racial Discrimination. In 1974 the Assembly established an 18 member committee known as “Special Committee against Apartheid”. It implemented resolutions of the UN as to the boycott of South Africa in the spheres of sports and culture in 1977. The International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa (Paris, May 1981) called for the imposition of sanctions against South Africa and international action to isolate her.

Question 13: State two steps taken by the Government of South Africa to bring down Apartheid.
Answer: The new President of South Africa, President F.W. De Clerk in 1989, realized that the policy of Apartheid had failed, and began a process of bringing down Apartheid. In June 1991 he scrapped one of the most hated Apartheid law—The Population Registration Act. The Group Areas Act which had set separate areas for the settlement of different races and the lands Act was also abolished. The President signed a “National Peace Accord” with the major political parties to create a right climate for negotiations.

Question 14: What do you know about Massacre at Sharpville?
Answer: Massacre at Sharpville took place on 21st March, 1960 when South African police opened fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting against the requirement that all Africans carry ‘reference books’. Consequently 69 persons died and 180 were injured. This incident brought the intervention of UNO the issue of Apartheid in South Africa, beckoned to do so, on the request of 29 African and Asian countries.

Question 15: When was the Declaration of the Rights of Child adopted? What did it stand for?
Answer: The Declaration of the Rights of the Child was adopted by the General Assembly in 1989. It affirmed the right of children to special protection, opportunity, facilities for a healthy normal development. These rights got legal binding with the adoption of the Convention of the Rights of the Child by the General Assembly in 1989. A committee was set up to implement and investigate violation of children’s rights.

Question 16: What steps have been taken for protecting Women’s Rights?
Answer: In 1979 the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the General Assembly and was ratified by all countries. This has been the main instrument for protecting women’s rights. Earlier a commission on the status of women was set up in 1946 to promote women’s rights in political, economic, social and educational fields.

Question 17: Which commission was set up on the status of women. What are its main functions.
Answer: Commission on the Status of Women: It is a Commission which has 45 members and was set up in 1946 by UN Economic and Social Council. Its main functions are:
(i) To eliminate discrimination against women in areas like: education, employment, health, marriage and family life.
(ii) To improve the status of girl child.

Question 18: Write a short note on Human Rights Committee.
Answer: Human Rights Committee: Human Rights Committee is there for the enforcement of Human Rights listed in the Conventional on Civil and Political Rights. The term of the Committee is four years and it has 18 members. Member nations have an obligation to submit report on the measures taken to give effect to Civil and Political Rights. A Conciliation Commission may be appointed if the matter which has been refereed to the Committee is not resolved to -the satisfaction of both the parties. It is the duty of the member nations to extend all facilities to the Commission.

Question 19: Give three reasons for the importance of Human Rights today.
Answer: All the Universal Human Rights are important in their own way.
(i) Right to freedom of speech and expression enables a person to discuss freely for public and national well-being.
(ii) Right to have judicial remedy enables a citizen to move to any court if his rights are curtailed by the Government, any person or any other agency.
(iii) Right to vote freely and to take part in the Government of one’s country ensures political rights to a citizen.

Question 20: With reference to organisation fighting for Human Rights, write short notes on the following UN Human Rights Commission.
Answer: UN Human Rights Commission: It was set up by the Economic and Social Council. The Commission held its first full fledged session in January, 1947. It had been given the task of drafting an International Bill of Human Rights. The bill drafted by the Commission was presented to the General Assembly which adopted it on December 10, 1948. The Commission has many working groups to investigate Human Rights problem in different countries.

Question 21: State one of the steps taken by the UNO for effective implementation of the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’.
Answer: For the effective implementation of the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ a Human Rights Commission was set in 1946 by the Economic Social Council. It submitted proposals, recommendations, made investigative reports on human rights issues through Economic Social Council to General Assembly.

Question 22: What functions are to be performed by the High Commissioner Office on Human Rights?
Answer: The High Commissioner for Human Rights is primarily responsible for human rights activities under the direction and authority of the United Nations Secretary General. Besides ensuring enjoyment of civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights, he has to enhance international co-operation for promotion and protection of human rights.

Long Questions

Question 1: What are the economic, social and cultural rights? Mention the Articles containing them?
Answer: Articles 22 to 27 deal with the economic, social and cultural rights. They are:
(i) The right to social security.
(ii) The right to work, the right to equal pay for equal work, the right to join and form trade unions.
(iii) The right to rest and leisure.
(iv) The right to a standard of living adequate for health and well being.
(v) The right to education.
(vi) The right to participate in the cultural life of the community.

Question 2: What do Articles 1 and 2 of the Declaration of Human Rights state?
Answer: Article 1 of the Declaration states that ‘all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights’. There are certain rights of the individual which are inherent in his personality. Man is moral and rational being and this very state entitles him to the enjoyment of certain rights. Since these rights are derived from the inherent dignity of the human person, they should be available to all persons equally, everywhere and at all times.
Article 2 of the Declaration states that ‘Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status’. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the political, jurisdictional or international status country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, or self governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Question 3: What were the International Convention of Human Rights?
Answer: On 16th December 1966 the General Assembly adopted and opened for signatures, ratification and accession of three International Covenants on Human Rights:
(i) International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.
(ii) International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural rights.
(iii) The optional protocol to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.
Based on Universal Declaration of Human Rights the covenants were submitted to UN members for ratification after approved by General Assembly in 1976. They were ratified by 35 States and came into effect in 1976. The second protocol came into force in 1991. Together they constituted the International Bill of Human Rights. Both the covenants have force of law and are binding on ratifying countries.

Question 4: With reference to the Declaration of Human Rights, explain the importance of the Rights.
Answer: All the Universal Rights are important in their own way, and they should be understood in the historical context. For thousands of years in the history of human civilization and right till the signing of the Declaration, such rights were not available to very large sections of humanity in different parts of the world. Slavery was prevalent in the Middle East, people were and still continue to be imprisoned without trial. Racial discrimination was practiced against the Black population in U.S.A., South Africa and many other countries of the world. Women did not have the right to vote even in some of the advanced European countries like Switzerland. Bonded labour still prevails in many parts of the world and the workers in socialist states do not have the right to form trade unions or go on strike.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights seek to remove all political and social inequalities and disabilities. They exercise a kind-pf moral pressure on Governments to reform their laws in accordance with the principles laid down in those documents.

Question 5: Mention some of the important civil and political rights granted in the Declaration.
Answer: Some of the important civil and political rights granted in the declaration are:
(i) Right to life, liberty and security.
(ii) Freedom from slavery and servitude.
(iii) Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
(iv) Right to protection under law and free access to it.
(v) Freedom of movement, the right of asylum, the right to a nationality.
(vi) The right to. marry and found a family, the right to own property.
(vii) Freedom of thought conscience and religion opinion and expression.
(viii) Right to peaceful assembly and association.
(ix) Participation in Government and public service.

Question 6: Mention any four political rights and social rights each, in context to the Human Rights.
Answer: Political Rights:
(i) The right to take part in the government.
(ii) The right to eqtial access to public services in his country.
(iii) The right to a nationality.
(iv) The right to seek asylum in other countries from persecution.
Social Rights:
(i) Right to marry.
(ii) Right to education.
(iii) The education shell promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and racial groups.
(iv) The family is entitled to full protection by society and the state.

Question 7: Write in brief about the Human Rights Commissions and its role.
Answer: National Commission on Human Rights: Many developing countries like India have set up a Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Court for better protection of Human Rights. In India, it was constituted in 1993. The main functions of the Commission are:
(i) To inquire into complaints of violations of Human Rights.
(ii) To review acts of terrorism that obstruct the enjoyment of Human Rights.
(iii) To promote the research in the field of Human Rights.
(iv) To encourage the efforts of non-Governmental Organisations working in the fields of Human Rights.
(v) In India it has all the powers of a Civil Court and can summon, witnesses and receive evidence on affidavits.

Question 8: When the first High Commissioner was appointed. What are the main functions of High Commissioner?
Answer: High Commissioner for the Human Rights: This post was established in 1993. The first High Commissioner was appointed in 1994. He works under the authority of the Secretary General. His main functions are:
(i) To ensure civil, political, social and other rights to all.
(ii) To help the centre for Human Rights in its activities.
(iii) To enhance international co-operation for promotion and protection of Human Rights.
(iv) He also coordinates the work for all other UNO agencies working in the field of Human Rights.

Question 9: With reference to Human Rights Commission describe the role Amnesty International.
Answer: Amnesty International: Amnesty International is the world’s largest voluntary organisation working for Human Rights. It has its headquarters in London. It is a non-political voluntary organisation founded by Peter Beneson. It was founded “to bring relief to individual victims of injustice.” Its main objectives are:
(i) To prepare reports and publicise Human Rights abuses.
(ii) To work for the freedom of political prisoners.
(iii) To work for a fair and open trial of such prisoners.
(iv) To work for effective international agencies so that people may have the rights to freedom of thought and religion.
(v) Prevention of torture and execution.

Question 10: State any two specific instances of human rights violations according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Answer: Instances of Human Rights Violations:
(i) South Africa: Apartheid
The policy of racial discrimination pursued in South Africa is called apartheid. The Blacks in South Africa has been subjected to violations of basis human rights in the all fields of life- political, economic and social. Despite UNO’s resolutions, appeals and severe sanctions, racial policies continued until quite recently.
(ii) Afghanistan: For nearly two and a half decades, the 30 million Afghan population have suffered much more than any other people around the globe. Plunder, destruction and molestation were rampant until the Taliban gained control in 1994. But, they emposed an ideology of their own.
Women, especially educated women and intellectuals became their enemies. Flogging imprisonments were common for even minor violations of the Taliban’s strict code of conduct. Despite the end of Taliban rule over Afghanistan by USA, there is still a shortage of food and employment. The Afghans have a long way to go before they can protect themselves from human rights violations.

Question 11: Point out some of the pressure tactics used by UNO with South Africa to give up the policy of Apartheid?
Answer: The Security Council adopted the following measures when the question of Massacre at Sharpeville at 21st March, 1960 was referred to it by 29 African and Asian countries:
(i) It called upon the South African Government to abandon the policy of Apartheid.
(ii) It formed a Trust Fund to provide relief to persons suffering under South Africa’s repressive and discriminatory laws.
(iii) 21st March was declared to be the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination to commemorate the Sharpeville incident 1960.
(iv) In 1967 the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa provided scholarships to black students of South Africa, Namibia and Southern Rhodesia for study and training abroad.
(v) The General Assembly urged the States to terminate diplomatic and official relations economic and other co-operation with South Africa.
(vii) On 30th November, 1973 International Convention on Suppression and Punishment of Crime of Apartheid was adopted by the General Assembly. The convention provided international responsibility against the crime of Apartheid.
(vii) In 1974 General Assembly rejected South Africa’s credentials and recommended exclusion of South Africa from participation in all international organisations, conferences held under the auspices of the United Nations as long as it continued its policy of Apartheid.
(viii) 11th October, 1976 was declared to be Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners to condemn the shooting of demonstrators in Some to in June 1976 which involved, killings of Africans including school children too.
(ix) On 4th November, 1977 arms embargo against South Africa was made mandatory.
(x) In December 1977 International Declaration against Apartheid was adopted in sports. This called on the States to cease sporting contacts with any country practicing Apartheid.

Question 12: Bring out the differences between Racial Discrimination and Apartheid.
Answer: Racial Discrimination means any distinction, exclusion or restriction based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin which has the effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition or enjoyment, on equal footing of human rights. Racial discrimination denies fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.
Apartheid is a state imposed system of racial discrimination, practiced in South Africa. Under Apartheid, black or coloured South Africans, the overwhelming majority of the people in the country, were denied fundamental liberties and rights. They were not allowed to participate in the political life of the country and were subject to various repressive laws and regulations. There were separate townships, buses, coaches, trains, park benches, toilets, shops, hospitals, sports grounds, schools and even churches for each of the races. Any marriage between the whites and the non-whites was not allowed. In short the whites considered themselves the master race and the non-whites as inferior beings.

Question 13: Which organ of the UN fights for human Right? Explain.
Answer: The United Nations has created many specialized agencies for the implementation of the various programmes relating to human rights of the people of different regions of the world and of different sections of society like minorities, women and children.
The Economic and Social Council [ECOSOC] is an important organ of the UNO, set up in 1946, which checks the violation of the Universal Human Rights and tries to establish a free world for the world citizens to live.
The ECOSOC has established a special commission known as “Commission on Human Rights” which is responsible for submitting proposals, recommendations and investigation reports and human rights issues to the General Assembly. The Commission’s headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. It bears complaints from one signatory state against another about the violation of the terms of the treats. It has done a commendable job in:
(i) Preventing arbitrary detention
(ii) In eliminating racial discrimination
(iii) Protecting the rights of women, children, minorities, disabled persons and workers.

Question 14: Discuss the role of Non-Government organisations.
Answer: Non-Governmental Organisations: To eliminate exploitation of workers, children and women proper co-ordination is required between Governmental and non-Governmental Organisations. non-Governmental Organisations have played a vital role in providing Human Rights to many citizens. Their main functions are:
(i) To draw public attention to Human Rights abuses.
(ii) To bring to light the cases of the bonded labourers, children exploitation and violence committed against women under trial.
(iii) In developing countries like India many NGO’s like PUCL (People Union for Civil Liberties) have been working to provide relief to many suffers. It has brought many cases of Human Rights violation in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
(iv) Red Cross is world famous non-Governmental Organisation which provides relief to many sufferers.

Picture Based Questions

Question 1: Answer the following:
(i) Identify the person in the picture given alongside.
(ii) With what movement this person was associated? Why he was arrested?

Answer: (i) Nelson Mandela
(ii) This person was associated with Apartheid (Racial Discrimination) movement. He was arrested because of his struggle to achieve freedom and equal rights for every South African.

The United Nations (Major Agencies-Their Functions)

Question 1: Under which principal organ do the specialized agencies work?
Answer: The specialized agencies are monitored by the Economic and Social Council.

Question 2: State one way in which the UNICEF raises funds.

Answer: Sale of UNICEF cards is an important source of income and is popular worldwide.

Question 3: When was the International Year of Child celebrated by UNICEF and to what purpose?
Answer: The UNICEF celebrated 1979 as the ‘International Year of Child’ to focus the attention of people on the rights and welfare of the children.

Question 4: How have UNICEF’s efforts for the upliftment of child given recognition?
Answer: The UNICEF was awarded by the Nobel Prize in 1965 and the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace in 1989.

Question 5: When is the World Health Day celebrated?
Answer: World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7th April.

Question 6: WHO is a specialized agency devoted to a specific cause. What is this cause?
Answer: The cause to which the World Health Organisation is devoted is ‘Health for All’.

Question 7: When was UNESCO formed?
Answer: The Constitution of UNESCO was signed on 16th November 1945 in London by 47 States but it came into force a year later on 4th November 1946.

Question 8: When was the Literacy Year celebrated by UNESCO?
Answer: 1990 was declared to be the Literacy Year celebrated by UNESCO.

Short Questions – I

Question 1: What purpose do the major agencies of the United Nations serve?
Answer: The purposes of the UNO were achievement of ‘International co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedom.’

Question 2: How does economic and social co-operation lead to the elimination of war?
Answer: International economic and social co-operation is based on the theory that war has economic causes. Their elimination creates stability and well being which is a precondition for peace. Thus if there will be social and economic co-operation war could be eliminated.

Question 3: How did the UNICEF come into existence and to what purpose?
Answer: The UNICEF was created through a Resolution of the UN General Assembly in 1946, to meet the emergency needs of children in Europe and China immediately after Second World War. In
1950 the General Assembly changed its mandate to programme of long-range benefit to children of the developing countries.

Question 4: What do you know about UNICEF’S composition?
Answer: UNICEF is a subsidiary organisation of the UNO and function under the UN Economic and
Social Council. It has an Executive Board with 41 members. The Executive Director of the Board is appointed by the Secretary General in consultation with the board.

Question 5: How is the UNICEF financed?
Answer: The UNICEF is financed by voluntary contributions from Governments, organisations and individuals. Fund raising campaigns are carried on by organisation and individuals which includes selling of UNICEF cards.

Question 6: Which agency of the UN looks after the interests of the children in the World? What was the original purpose of setting up this agency?
Answer: UNICEF is the only UN agency dedicated exclusively to children. It speaks on behalf of the children and upholds the convention on the rights of the child and works for its implementation.

Question 7: What services does the UNICEF provide for improvement of the lot of children?
Answer: The UNICEF provides services in primary health care, nutrition, basic education and sanitation for children. It works for family and child welfare and promotes vocational training, carry on community based programmes involving people’s participation.

Question 8: What emergency help does the UNICEF provide?
Answer: UNICEF provides emergency help to the children who are victims of floods, earthquakes, drought or stricken by endemic diseases, victims of war disasters. It also has special programmes for poverty stricken and suffering from mental and physical disabilities.

Question 9: What kind of programmes are taken up by WHO?
Answer: The programmes carried out by WHO involve providing food supplies, proper nutrition, adequate safe water and basic sanitation, prevention and control of endemic diseases and injuries and provision of essential drugs.

Question 10: What do you know about the composition of UNESCO?
Answer: UNESCO consists of three organs: The General Conference, the Executive Board and the Secretariat. The General Conference is composed of representatives of all member nations. The Executive Board consists of 51 members.

Question 11: What are the primary aims of UNESCO?
Answer: Primary aims of UNESCO are: promoting peace, goodwill and security by collaboration among nations through educational, cultural interaction with development of science and communication amongst nations of the world.

Question 12: What is the main aim of WHO.
Answer: The WHO is the specialized agency of United Nations for international co-operation in improving the physical and mental health of all. Its main aim is to create proper health conditions through international co-operation.

Question 13: What do you understand by UNESCO?
Answer: United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation is a specialized agency of UNO, dedicated to contribute peace and security in the world by promoting collaboration among nations through education science, culture and communication. The UNESCO is committed to improve educational, scientific and cultural interaction, making it wide spread with betterment of communication among people and nations.

Short Questions – II

Question 1: What ideals have been stated in the UN Charter for building peace?
Answer: The UN Chafter states that the UNO undertakes to promote:
(i) Higher standard of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social progress and development.
(ii) Solution of international economic, social health and related problems, and international cultural and educational co-operation;
(iii) Universal, respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedom for all without distinction of race, sex, language and religion.

Question 2: Name the major agencies of the U.N.O.
Or
Give the expanded form of W.H.O.
Or
Give the expanded form of UNICEF.
Or
Give the expanded form of UNESCO
Answer: The major agencies of the U.N.O. are as under:
(i) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
(ii) United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
(iii) World Health Organisation (WHO)
(iv) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
(v) International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Question 3: What steps have been taken for the improvement of health of children?
Answer: To prevent diseases and malnutrition the UNICEF has launched a four point programme:
(i) Immunization. (ii) Oral dehydration.
(iii) Advocating breast feeding. (iv) Monitoring growth.
It provides balanced and protective food like milk, meat and fish etc. It provides vaccines, educate parents, teaches prevention of dehydration and benefits of breast feeding.

Question 4: What efforts has the UNICEF made for education and improvement of sanitation?
Answer: The UNICEF provides funds for programmes advocating education for development, training and orientation of national personnel including health, sanitation workers, teachers, nutritionist and child welfare specialists. It supports AIDS education and families of AIDS victims. Helps the community to cope with this problem. For education provides paper, textbooks and equipment, pumps and pipes for bringing clean water to villages.

Question 5: What steps has the UNICEF taken to protect women’s interest?
Answer: Women’s development is also one of the aims of UNICEF. It provides facilities for pregnant mothers. A number of maternity homes have been opened. It takes care of the interest of women and has extended support to various conventions for the suppression of traffic in women and children, crime prevention and child labour. It protects rights of children.

Question 6: How has UNICEF contributed in prevention of disease in the world?
Answer: The UNICEF have saved millions of children suffering from preventable diseases by universal immunization programmes and prevents diarrhoeal death by rehydration therapy. Special programmes for disabled children are carried out. Consumption of iodized salt as proposed by UNICEF protects around 12 million infants from mental retardation each year.

Question 7: When was WHO formed and for what purpose?
Answer: The World Health Organisation is guided by the belief that the enjoyment of highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. It was formed on 7th April, 1948, for achieving highest standards of health.

Question 8: How is the WHO formed?
Answer: The governing body of WHO is the World Health Assembly represented by all member. States of UNO which elects tile Executive Board of WHO consisting of 31 members. They are specialists in the field of health and their technical competence is the main criteria for selection. The membership of World Health Assembly is open to all members of UNO which meets annually to review the work of WHO. The Executive Board of 31 members is its executive arm.

Question 9: Discuss the role of WHO in combating diseases.
Answer: WHO or World Health Organization performs three vital roles in combating diseases are as follows:
(i) To fight against diseases throughout the world and to prevent their spread at the source.
(ii) It has launched a programme along with UNICEF to immunize children against six major diseases like Measles, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Polio and Whooping Cough.
(iii) To set international standards for food, water, biological and pharmaceutical production such as Drugs, Medicines and Vaccines.

Question 10: What function do the three organs of UNESCO perform?
Answer: The General Conference of UNESCO meets every two years to decide the policy, programme and budget of the organisation. The Executive meets at least three times a year for supervising the programme adopted by the General Conference. The Secretariat stationed in Paris carries on the good work all through.

Question 11: Why was UNESCO called ‘the conscience of mankind’ by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru?
Answer: The UNESCO was referred to as ‘the conscience of mankind’ by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru as it propose to bring about peace through appealing to human heart basing its foundation on intellectual and moral solidarity of human kind. The instruments used to bring about lasting peace in the world through spread of educational, scientific and cultural communication and interaction.

Long Questions

Question 1: What does the WHO do to achieve its objective of ensuring ’Health for All’?
Answer: ‘Health for All by 2000′ was a target set by WHO’s members in the year 1977. The programme included:
(i) Education about prevailing health problems and their prevention.
(ii) Promotion of food supplies, proper nutrition, adequate safe water and basic sanitation.
(iii) Family planning, care of child and mother.
(iv) Universal immunization against infectious diseases.
(v) Prevention and control of endemic diseases.
(vi) Provision for essential drugs and prevention and control of common diseases.

Question 2: What are the main functions of WHO.
Answer: The main functions of WHO are:
(i) To promote in co-operation with other specialized agencies, the improvement of nutrition like drinking water and sanitation, housing, economic and working conditions, environmental hygiene, and maternal and child health, including family planning.
(ii) To help countries to reinforce their health systems by building up infrastructure, particularly health, manpower including services, health institutions and the provision of essential drugs and other supplies and equiptments.
(iii) To prevent the spread of disease and epidemics internationally and to help the nations to stamp out diseases at the source, to prevent them from spreading to other countries.
(iv) To promote improved standards of teaching and training in health, medical and related fields.

Question 3: Mention some of the important achievements of WHO.
Answer: With the view to provide health to all and attainment of highest possible level of health WHO has been successful in:
(i) Eradication of Small Pox altogether.
(ii) Cholera and Plague epidemics are getting rarer.
(iii) Guinea worms have been eliminated. Leprosy is better managed.
(iv) Diarrhoeal deaths have been reduced.
(v) Vaccination of infants for Polkrhas been popularized.
(vi) The infant mortality rate has dropped.
(vii) Special programmes for prevention of AIDS have been launched.

Question 4: What are the major functions of UNICEF?
Answer: (i) It provides services in primary health, nutrition, family and child welfare, basic education, vocational training for the benefit of children, sanitation and women’s development programmes are undertaken in developing countries.
(ii) These programmes include providing balanced food and protective food like milk, meat, fish etc.
(iii) Training and orientation of national personnel including health and salutation workers, teachers, nutritionists and child welfare specialists.
(iv) Technical supplies, equiptments and other aids ranging from paper for text books and equipments and medicines for health to pipes and pumps for bringing clean water to villages are delivered.
(v) Basic social services are provided for children in developing countries like campaigns against endemic diseases and preventable diseases and malnutrition have been carried on. Emergency help is provided to victims of floods, earthquakes drought or other diseases.
(vi) Interests of women and facilities for pregnant women are provided. Conventions for suppression of traffic in women and children, crime prevention etc. are supported.

Question 5: What are the major achievements of the UNICEF?
Answer: Major achievements of UNICEF: The four point programme against preventable diseases:
(i) Immunization, (ii) Oral dehydration,
(iii) Advocating breast feeding,
(iv) Monitoring growth. This has reduced diseases considerably.
UNICEF celebrated 1979 as the International Year of the Child for focusing people’s attention on the rights of children. It has supported AIDS education and helps families of its victims. Health centers and maternity homes have been established.
Poverty stricken, disabled, demented and victims of other emergencies are provided special protection.
With UNICEF’s efforts a world summit for children was held at UN headquarters attended by representatives of 150 countries. Thus along with other UN agencies UNICEF has achieved considerable success in achieving its goals, but there is still a lot more to be done.

Question 6: Mention the functions of UNESCO in the field of education.
Answer: Functions in the field of Education:
(i) To raise educational standards throughout the world—specially for women and girls, who in turn will educate their children.
(ii) To make primary education compulsory for the removal of illiteracy.
(iii) Spread of knowledge by training teachers, educational planners, administrators, to encourage local building programmes and equipment of schools. To provide grants and fellowships to teachers and scholars, organise library systems and promote international understanding through education.
(iv) To guide and expand education to enable the developing countries to take their own development in hand more effectively.

Question 7: Explain the functions of UNESCO in the field of science.
Answer: Functions in the field of Science:
(i) Establishing scientific and technological foundations for better use of country’s resources and encourages international co-operation in the field of science.
(ii) To correct imbalances in scientific and technological man power, which is largely concentrated in the countries.
(iii) It encourage basic research in the field of mathematics, physics, geology, hydrology, environment and biotechnology. Regional training centers are provided. It promotes awareness and interaction between science and technology.
(iv) It also promotes social sciences as an instrument for realization of human rights, justice and peace.
Thus by promoting education and spread of science UNESCO makes a move in the direction of instilling peace in the hearts of people, into their private and public ambition and daily life.

Picture Based Questions

Question 1: Study the picture shown and answer the questions that follow:

(i) Identify the organization associated with the given emblem.
(ii) When it was established and what were its objectives?
Answer: (i) The organization associated with the given emblem is World Health Organization (WHO).
(ii) It was established on 7th April, 1948 and its objective is the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all people.