Human Right concepts & Applications. International perceptions of Human rights

Example of two different cultures in America is Latin America and Africans. U.S is a culturally diverse nation and the country is also termed as a ‘melting pot’ since various cultures have entered in America where they follow and maintain their traditions an customs, even though many have embraced the culture of American people (De Schutter, 2012). In the arena of human rights, public administrator meets some challenges in dealing with ethics and codes of conducts in different cultures. It is important to note that ethics initiates is influenced by different cultural dimensions and public administers require a high level of moral reasoning before commencing moral actions. Moral philosophies and ethical decisions are fundamental elements in cultural difference since the diverse cultures creates behavior variations which are rooted from set of cultural values.  In addressing issues related with human right, public administrator meet some challenges rooted from social variation. Note that a public administer has an ethical obligation in ensuring that human rights is applicable to all cultural values (De Schutter, 2012).  For example, a public administrator is expected to have an individualism view-determine whether a particular decision aligns with self-interest, moral-rights view-determine whether the decision aligns with human rights, utilitarian view-determine whether the decision focus on doing good and justice view-determine whether the decision promotes fairness. In addition, the administered considers cultural relativism which states that all cultures are equal. A public administrator   is expected to prohibit historical practices with specific cultures, and which violates the rights of human beings.  For example, female genital mutilation is a historical practice which violets rights of modern girls. There is an ethical obligation to act in accordance with codes of ethics but the practice of implementing ethics is hindered by cultural relativism which states that cultural diversity embraces different perspectives (De Schutter, 2012).

 Both government and nongovernmental organization should implement strategies in addressing the issues affecting ethical concerns and implication of human rights to different cultures. First, they should use the approach of dialogue between cultures. This means that in providing human rights, it is not mandatory to focus on universal idea but rather there should be pluralism of cultures   which will eliminate the hegemonic ambitions and cultural misconceptions (De Schutter, 2012). In addition, it is important to rethink about the concepts of human rights with respect to the varied traditions. Other approach is that cultural relativism should be modified to eliminate the strong beliefs on traditional values of culture (De Schutter, 2012).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

 

De Schutter, O. (2012). The role of human rights in shaping international regulatory regimes. Social

Research, 79(4), 785–818.

 

Twiss, S. B. (2011). Global ethics and human rights: A reflection. Journal of Religious Ethics, 39(2), 204–

222.