Lecture Notes on Human Rights and Historical Context

Introduction

• Focus on the history of human rights.
• Discussion begins with Indonesia’s independence on August 17, 1945.

Decolonization and Democratization

• Post-World War II, a wave of decolonization in Asia and Africa (1945 - 1990).
• Samuel Huntington identified this as the second wave of democratization.
• Desire for self-determination and freedom from oppression.
• The victory of Western democracies post-World War II contributes to this democratization.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

• Adopted on December 10, 1948, by the United Nations.
• Foundational goal: prevent future atrocities after the horrors of World War II.
• Affirmation of fundamental human rights, dignity, and worth of human beings.
• Consists of 30 articles covering civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights.
• Eleanor Roosevelt’s role in drafting the declaration.
• Commemoration of Human Rights Day globally since its adoption.

Covenants Strengthening Human Rights

• Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
• Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The Cold War Era

• Definition and timeline: 1947-1991.
• Initiated by the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union post-World War II.
• The United States: capitalist democracy; the USSR: communist state.
• Competition in military, ideology, technology, and nuclear arms.

Global Impact of the Cold War

• Influence on various local conflicts (e.g., Korean War, Soviet invasions).
• Emergence of dictatorships in regions like Greece and South America.
• Division of Germany into East and West.

Mikhail Gorbachev's Reforms

• Gorbachev's leadership (1985) aimed to revitalize the Soviet economy.
• Introduced "Perestroika" (restructuring) and "Glasnost" (openness).
• Attempts to end the arms race and improve relations with the West (notably Reagan).

Indonesia's Position During the Cold War

• Indonesia's alignment with the principles of the United Nations.
• Commitment to human rights, independence, and social justice.
• Pancasila as a synthesis of various ideologies.
• Soekarno's critique of the dichotomy presented by Bertrand Russell.

Indonesia's Foreign Policy

• Muhammad Hatta’s concept of an active, independent foreign policy.
• Non-alignment and non-bloc movement as central tenets.
• The Bandung Conference (1955) and the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement.
• Five founding leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement: Soekarno, Tito, Nasser, Nehru, and Nkrumah.

Conclusion

• The importance of understanding these historical contexts in relation to human rights.
• Future sessions will examine different perspectives on human rights.
• Closing remarks and invitation to next meeting.