Test: Contemporary Challenges - UGC NET MCQ

The High Commissioner of Human Rights

• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: Also known as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it is a significant UN human rights body. This makes statement 1 correct.
• Mandate of OHCHR: The OHCHR is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to protect and promote all human rights globally. This validates statement 3.
• Technical Expertise: OHCHR provides technical expertise and capacity-development to support the implementation of global human rights standards on the ground.
• Establishment: It is a part of the UN Secretariat and was established in 1993.
• Headquarters: The OHCHR is headquartered in Geneva and has several regional offices.
• Leadership: The High Commissioner for Human Rights leads the OHCHR.
• Funding: Around two-thirds of the Office's funding comes from voluntary contributions by donors and member states. The remaining portion is covered by the UN's general budget. This makes statement 2 incorrect.

• Migration can have both positive and negative impacts on the areas people move from and move to.
• Consequences of migration can be seen in various aspects such as economic, social, cultural, political, and demographic.
• One significant benefit for the place of origin is the remittances sent back by migrants.
• Remittances from international migrants play a crucial role as a major source of foreign exchange.
• However, migration also brings about serious negative consequences, such as creating anonymity, leading to a social vacuum and feelings of dejection among individuals.
• Persistent feelings of dejection might drive individuals towards engaging in anti-social behaviors like crime and substance abuse.
• The overcrowding resulting from rural to urban migration exerts strain on the existing social and physical infrastructure in urban areas.
• This strain can result in the unplanned expansion of urban settlements and the emergence of slums and shanty colonies.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Merger

• Background:
  • The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was formed after the amalgamation of two offices.
• Merged Offices:
  • The merger involved the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division in the United Nations Office at Vienna.
• Rename:
  • In 2002, the entity was renamed the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Key Points

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established by merging the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division in the United Nations Office at Vienna.
• The organization's name was changed to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2002.

Additional Information

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime was initially known as the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention.
• It was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
• Ghada Waly serves as the current head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
• The agency's primary areas of focus include the trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs, crime prevention, criminal justice, international terrorism, and political corruption.
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is a member of both the United Nations Development Group and the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.

• Overview of Terrorism:
  • Terrorism refers to political violence that targets civilians deliberately and indiscriminately.
  • International terrorism involves the citizens or territory of more than one country.
  • Terrorist groups aim to bring about political change through force or threat of force.
  • Civilian targets are often chosen to instill fear in the public and leverage public discontent against governments or opposing entities.
  • Classic instances of terrorism include hijacking airplanes and planting bombs in crowded public spaces like trains, cafes, and markets.
  • Post the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre in America, there has been increased global attention on terrorism, despite its long-standing presence.
  • Historically, terror attacks have been prevalent in regions such as the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and South Asia.
• Correct Statements:
  • (A) International terrorism involves the citizens or territory of more than one country.
  • (C) The classic cases of terrorism involve hijacking planes or planting bombs in public places.

The Challenges of Countering Global Terrorism

• State and Non-State Actors: Global terrorism involves both state and non-state actors. Governments and security agencies collaborate to combat terrorist threats, while non-state actors like civil society organizations and religious leaders play a role in promoting dialogue, deradicalization, and addressing root causes of terrorism.
• Cyber Warfare and Online Radicalization: The impact of cyber warfare and online radicalization is significant. Extremist groups use the internet for recruitment, radicalization, and coordination of attacks. Developing advanced cybersecurity measures is crucial to prevent cyber-attacks, disrupt online propaganda, and counter extremist narratives.
• International Collaboration: Addressing transnational terrorism requires international collaboration. Countries need to exchange intelligence, share best practices, and cooperate in investigations and law enforcement. However, challenges such as political differences, sovereignty concerns, and issues of trust between nations can hinder effective collaboration.

Implementing Stricter Border Controls and Immigration Policies

• Stricter border controls and immigration policies are measures aimed at curbing terrorist movements and preventing the infiltration of extremist elements into countries.

Developing Advanced Cybersecurity Measures

• Developing advanced cybersecurity measures is essential to prevent cyber-attacks from extremist groups, disrupt online propaganda, and counter extremist narratives in the digital space.

Strengthening Military Interventions

• Enhancing military interventions is aimed at eradicating terrorist organizations and securing national interests through targeted military operations.

Promoting Intercultural Dialogue and Cultural Understanding

• Promoting intercultural dialogue and cultural understanding is important to address the root causes of terrorism by fostering mutual respect, tolerance, and cooperation among diverse communities.

Analysis of India's Initiatives in Strategic Collaboration with the US Since 2001

• India's Support for US Anti-terrorism Mission in Afghanistan
  • India provided support for the US-led anti-terrorism mission in Afghanistan post the September 11, 2001 attacks.
  • India offered political and logistical support to the US in combating terrorism in Afghanistan, although it did not deploy troops.
• Opposition to US Withdrawal from ABM Treaty
  • In December 2001, India expressed concerns and disappointment over the US's decision to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty.
  • India, along with other nations, criticized the US's withdrawal from the treaty.
• Vote on Iran's Non-compliance with NPT
  • In September 2005, India sided with the US at the International Atomic Energy Compliance Board of Governors meeting to declare Iran as non-compliant with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
  • This vote aligned with India's stance on non-proliferation issues at that time.

Understanding International Migration

• International migration: The movement of people from one country to another or between countries is known as International Migration.

Related Concepts

• Counterurbanization or de-urbanization: This refers to the movement of people from urban areas to rural areas.
• Internal Migration: It involves the movement of people within the borders of their own country.
• Rural-Rural Migration: This type of migration occurs when people move from one village to another within the same country.

The Number of Articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: It is an international document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
• Enshrinement of Rights and Freedoms: The UDHR enshrines the rights and freedoms of all human beings.
• Acceptance: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was accepted by the General Assembly as Resolution 217 during its third session at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France.
• Acceptance Date: On 10 December 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was accepted.
• Number of Articles: There are 30 articles in the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" detailing an individual's basic rights and fundamental freedoms and affirming their universal character as inherent, inalienable, and applicable to all human beings.
• Article 1: Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Important Points

• Foundational Text: The UDHR is considered a foundational text in the history of human and civil rights.
• Human Rights Day: 10 December is observed as "Human Rights Day".

• The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action:
  • The Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action were adopted unanimously by 189 countries at the United Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.
  • It acknowledges women's rights as human rights and provides a detailed plan for achieving equality between women and men.
  • The primary objective is to speed up the execution of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women and to eliminate all barriers to women's active involvement in various aspects of public and private life by ensuring an equal share in economic, social, cultural, and political decision-making.
  • The Platform for Action serves as an agenda for women's empowerment.

Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)

• The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) Executive Committee is a permanent organization of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
• RATS is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and its main aim is to enhance cooperation among SCO member states in combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
• The Director of the SCO RATS Executive Committee serves a three-year term and plays a crucial role in coordinating anti-terrorism efforts within the organization.
• Currently, the Director of SCO RATS is Jumakhon Giyosov from Tajikistan, who assumed office on January 1, 2019.
• Each member state of the SCO appoints a permanent representative to RATS to facilitate communication and collaboration on counter-terrorism initiatives.