THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN LATIN AMERICA AND ITS INTERACTION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS

Abstract

In this study, the development of human rights in Latin America is elaborated through a historical perspective and the impact of the United Nations’ activities in the region is analyzed. The study argues that many violations in the historical process have shaped the development and practices of human rights in Latin America and, ironically, set an example to the world in certain respects and contribute normatively to the cases in different regions. It is further argued that despite the significant progress observed in Latin America in the context of human rights, democracy has not been consolidated and socio-economic inequality remains an essential obstacle to democratization. Followingly, the study specifies and assesses the UN’s contributions to protecting and promoting human rights in Latin America through specific examples. Finally, the study concludes that the UN and other international human rights organizations have made significant contributions to the development of human rights in Latin America; in mutual interaction, the region’s contributions to international human rights norms may potentially increase over time.

Keywords

• Human Rights
• Latin America
• United Nations
• International Organizations
• The Inter-American Court of Human Rights

Latin Amerika’da İnsan Haklarının Tarihsel Gelişimi ve Birleşmiş Milletler’le Etkileşimi

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, Latin Amerika’da insan haklarının gelişimi tarihsel bir perspektifle ele alınmakta ve Birleşmiş Milletler’in bölgedeki faaliyetlerinin etkisi analiz edilmektedir. Çalışma, insan haklarının Latin Amerika’daki gelişiminin ve uygulamaların tarihsel süreçteki birçok ihlalin sonucunda şekillendiğini ve ironik biçimde, dünyaya belli açılardan örnek teşkil ettiğini ve farklı bölgelerdeki vakalara normatif anlamda katkıda bulunduğunu savunmaktadır. Çalışmada, insan hakları bağlamında Latin Amerika’da gözlemlenen önemli ilerlemelere rağmen demokratik konsolidasyonun sağlanamadığı ve sosyo-ekonomik eşitsizliğin demokratikleşme yolunda önemli bir engel teşkil ettiği savunulmaktadır. Ayrıca, BM’nin, Latin Amerika’da insan haklarının korunmasına ve geliştirilmesine yönelik katkıları spesifik örnekler üzerinden gösterilmekte ve değerlendirilmektedir. Nihayetinde, BM’nin ve diğer uluslararası insan hakları örgütlerinin Latin Amerika’da insan haklarının gelişimine katkıda bulunduğu ve karşılıklı etkileşim içinde, uluslararası insan hakları normlarına bu bölgeden tarih boyunca yapılmış olan katkıların potansiyel olarak artacağı sonucuna varılmaktadır.

Keywords

• İnsan Hakları
• Latin Amerika
• Birleşmiş Milletler
• Uluslararası Örgütler
• Amerikalılararası İnsan Hakları Mahkemesi

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