This paper will discuss how human rights on a global scale are more advanced in global north countries than in global south countries. First, this paper will be discussing how human rights in countries that are in war are unfair compared to countries that aren’t in a war. Second, this paper will be discussing how human rights differ in countries that are democratic compared to countries that are non-democratic. Lastly, this paper will be discussing how human rights differ in countries that have a lack of resources compared to countries that are secure in resources.

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Afghanistan, a country that has been at war since 2001 has a legal system that is unfair towards children and women. Children in Afghanistan face many problems such as; poverty, education, and child labor. Children have to deal with poverty, as one half of the Afghan population (46%) lives below the poverty line (Humanium, 2019). Showing that Afghanistan is a country that needs help as according to the UN, it is the second poorest country in the world (Humanium, 2019). Also, only 60 % of children from Afghanistan are sent to school and only 28% of adults are literate (Humanium, 2019). Showing that Afghanistan has a weak school system for children as only 60% of children are being sent to school to get some education. While some students have to deal with the classes as some classes rise up to 60. Furthermore, children play an important economic role in their family structure as 20% of children are expected to work to provide for themselves and their families (Humanium, 2019). Children are missing out on education to provide for their families by doing some jobs that include; cardboard collectors, street vendors, and shoe polishing (Humanium, 2019). In terms of women’s rights in Afghanistan, they have to deal with the lack of education and getting married at a young age. Only 15 percent of women are literate compared to 49 % or men who are literate (Medicamondiale, 2019). Showing that boy’s in Afghanistan have a higher chance of getting educated. Lastly, 60% of marriages are in Afghanistan are forced, with most brides younger than 16 (Medicamondiale, 2019). Showing that women don’t have control over their bodies and don’t have control to make decisions for themselves. Unlike Afghanistan, Japan is a peaceful country that has a legal system that is respectable and fair towards children and women.

Japan, a country considered to be one of the most peaceful countries has a great legal system that is fair towards children and women. Children don’t have to face any problems relating to education, health, and child labor. In regards to education, the Japanese Constitution guarantees children the right to education (Umeda, 2018). It also guarantees everyone to receive an equal education, and children with disabilities also have the right to an education (Umeda, 2018). In regards to health, Japan has a system of universal health coverage which is very useful when it comes to a person’s health (Umeda, 2018). Almost all residents in Japan are covered by health insurance, but patients can choose to visit any licensed health care providers, which are positive when it comes to health (Umeda, 2018). Aswell, there are some treatments that require payment and the government provides financial support for low to moderate income families with infants (Umeda, 2018). In regards to child labor, the Japanese Constitution provides that children shall not be exploited (Umeda, 2018). It protects child workers and it allows children that are fifteen or more to work only after the school year is done (Umeda, 2018). In terms of women’s rights in Japan, they have the right to education, the right to make decisions for themselves and women are being more involved politically. In terms of politics, Japan passed its first national law that encourages political parties to have an equal number of male and female political candidates during their elections (World Report, 2019). Therefore, countries such that are in war such as Afghanistan have an unfair legal system than countries that are not in war such as Japan. Human rights are also different in countries that are democratic compared to countries that are non-democratic.

Sweden, a country considered to be democratic, has a legal system that is very beneficial to the citizens. Since 2008, Sweden has many areas of focus in terms of human rights, Some of these areas include; Strengthening freedom of expression, protect human rights and international humanitarian law, and most importantly fight discrimination. First, Sweden wants to strengthen the freedom of expression as they believe it’s a moral necessity in the fight for human rights (Diab, 2018). This will help strengthen public opinion as it will help build democracy, which is very good for Sweden (Diab, 2018). Second, Sweden is strong believers in regards to protecting human rights and international humanitarian law. Sweden works actively to the goal that should respect international law (Diab, 2018). This shows that Sweden is protecting its citizens from the war as Sweden was apart of the UN security council, promoting international peace and security (Diab, 2018). Aswell, Sweden always believed in international peace and they will never change. Lastly, Sweden always wanted to fight against discrimination. In many countries, people receive far from equal treatment and the Swedish government has always wanted to direct special treatment to the rights of children, women, and people with disabilities (Diab, 2018). Unlike Sweden, Saudi Arabia is a non-democratic country that has a legal system that is unfair towards the citizens.

Saudi Arabia, a country considered to be non-democratic, has a legal system that is unfair to many citizens. Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia have suffered abuses and exploitation, and sometimes accounting to conditions of forced labor (World Report, 2019). Aswell, authorities in Saudi Arabia continue to repress peace activities, they harass writers, online commentators, and others who exercised their right to freedom of expression by expressing their views on the government (Amnesty International, 2018). This shows that the government in Saudi Arabia don’t support citizens expressing their opinions as they consider it as an offense. Also, discrimination in Saudi Arabia is a major problem as the Shi’a Muslim minority continues to face discrimination because of their faith, limiting them from expressing their beliefs and their access to justice (Amnesty International, 2018). Aswell, Shi’a activists continue to face arrest, imprisonment, and sometimes even the death penalty following unfair trials (Amnesty International, 2018). Furthermore, women and girls continue to face discrimination in law and practice. Women were required to have permission from a male guardian to enroll in higher education, seek employment, travel, or marry (Amnesty International, 2018). Showing that women are not allowed to make decisions for themselves. It also shows that the government favors men over women. Therefore, countries that are democratic such as Sweden, have a better and more beneficial legal system than countries that are non-democratic, such as Saudi Arabia. Human rights are also different in countries that have a lack of resources compared to countries that are secure in resources.

Sudan, a country considered to have a lack of resources, such as freshwater and education affects their legal system negatively. In regards to freshwater, Sudan faces ecological crises like water scarcity and desertification (Barton). The demand for water increases in Sudan, but the availability to the country’s inhabitants continually remains low (Barton, 2019). Aswell, the livelihood of Sudan depends on its excess use of its water sources. Eighty percent of the country works in agriculture, which accounts for 97% of its water use (Barton, 2019). Lastly, women and children must devote the most time of their days to gather water. By doing this, they risk their health and safety by having frequent trips to gather water (Barton, 2019). In terms of the lack of education in Sudan, almost half of Sudan’s children are not in school (Humanium, 2019). Even though there are schools and children can get educated, many children don’t attend school due to poverty, lack of security, and instability (Humanium, 2019). Aswell, girls, in particular, face many obstacles preventing them from getting educated, including child marriages in some areas and a lack of community awareness on the importance of educating girls (Humanium, 2019). Furthermore, Sudan is still having a major crisis when it comes to the lack of resources, but the UN has been helping children and families get back on their feet. Unlike Sudan, Canada is secure when it comes to freshwater and education.

 Canada, a country considered to have a lot of resources, such as fresh water and education help benefit their legal system. In regards to fresh water, Canada is richly endowed with non-renewable and renewable freshwater resources (FraserInstitute, 2018). Canada has 563 large lakes across the country making it have the most lakes in the world that gives an impressive non-renewable water supply (FraserInstitute, 2018). Aswell, The Great Lakes which is between Canada and the United States is the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world and accounts to 18 percent of freshwater in the world (FraserInstitute, 2018). This shows that Canada is on top when it comes to fresh water when they have almost 20% of freshwater in the world compared to other countries where they barely have any freshwater to drink. Furthermore, it shows that Canada is secure when it comes to receiving fresh water compared to other countries where they don’t have access to lakes that contain fresh water. In regards to education, Canada gives every Canadian a right to education. The right to education is contained in provincial/territorial education acts (RightToEducation, 2019). These acts typically provide access to public education from children ages 5-6 to 18-21 (RightToEducation, 2019). Aswell, this act protects those getting educated from discrimination. Furthermore, children with disabilities have the opportunity to get educated as the government gives each person equal opportunities to receive an education. Showing that the government of Canada believes that every Canadian deserves to get educated as they start off in middle school, then move on to high school, then they will have the opportunity to go to post-secondary. Lastly, it shows that Canadians are lucky to have the right to education as many countries don’t allow it and many children all around the world don’t receive an education.

 To conclude, this paper shows that human rights on a global scale are more advanced in global north countries than in global south countries. First, it shows how the legal system is different in countries that are in a war such as Afghanistan compared to countries that aren’t in a war, such as Japan. Second, it shows how the legal system is different in countries that are democratic such as Sweden compared to countries that are non-democratic, such as Saudi Arabia. Lastly, it shows how the legal system is different in countries that have lack a of resources such as Sudan compared to countries that are secure in resources, such as Canada. Therefore, human rights are something that should be equally distributed in each country as everyone deserves to have rights that are fair.

Works Cited

Barton, A. (n.d.). Water In Crisis – Spotlight Sudan. Retrieved May 20, 2019, from https://thewaterproject.org/water-crisis/water-in-crisis-sudan

BLOG: Canada is richly endowed with freshwater resources. (2018, December 05). Retrieved May 20, 2019, fromhttps://www.fraserinstitute.org/blogs/canada-is-richly-endowed-with-freshwater-resource

Children of Afghanistan. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2019, from https://www.humanium.org/en/afghanistan/

Children of Sudan. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2019, from https://www.humanium.org/en/sudan/

Diab, E. (2018, October 02). Sweden and human rights. Retrieved from https://sweden.se/society/sweden-and-human-rights/

Right To Education. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2019, from https://inclusiveeducation.ca/learn/right-to-education/

Saudi Arabia 2017/2018. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2019, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/middle-east-and-north-africa/saudi-arabia/report-saudi-arabia/

Umeda, & Sayuri. (2018, April 01). Children’s Rights: Japan. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/law/help/child-rights/japan.php

Where we work: Afghanistan. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2019, from https://www.medicamondiale.org/en/where-we-work/afghanistan.html

World Report 2019: Rights Trends in Japan. (2019, January 17). Retrieved May 19, 2019, from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/japan

World Report 2019: Rights Trends in Saudi Arabia. (2019, January 17). Retrieved May 20, 2019, from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/saudi-arabia