5.5. Case Studies

● Systematic racial segregation and discrimination against non-white South Africans. ● International sanctions and internal resistance eventually led to dismantling apartheid in the 1990s.

Apartheid was a system implemented in South Africa that enforced racial segregation, meaning that people were separated based on their race. Non-white South Africans faced significant discrimination in various aspects of life, including education, work, and accessing public services. Throughout the years, strong opposition arose—both internally, from activists and citizens, and externally, through international sanctions imposed on South Africa. These efforts collectively pressured the government, leading to the eventual end of apartheid and the establishment of a more equitable society in the 1990s.

Think of apartheid like a school where only certain students get to use the playground while others are kept inside. Over time, the students who were allowed outside felt it was unfair, and with help from teachers (the international community), they fought for the playground to be available to everyone. Eventually, the school changed its rules, allowing all students to play together.

● The Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar faced persecution, forced displacement, and alleged genocide. ● International calls for accountability and humanitarian aid continue amid ongoing challenges.

The Rohingya are a Muslim minority group residing in Myanmar, facing severe persecution from the government and military. This discrimination has included violent actions leading to the displacement of thousands, forcing many to flee to neighboring countries. Allegations of genocide have emerged due to the systematic violence against them. The international community, including various organizations and countries, has called for accountability and humanitarian assistance to support the Rohingya people while addressing ongoing challenges such as insufficient aid and political resistance.

Imagine a group of kids in a playground who are bullied and pushed out by others. They’re forced to leave the park and keep moving to find a safe space. Even when other kids see this happening and try to help, the bullies often obstruct those efforts, making it hard for the bullied kids to get the support they need.

● Some countries prosecute human rights violators regardless of where crimes occurred, enhancing global justice. ● Example: The arrest of Chile’s former dictator Augusto Pinochet in the UK.

The principle of universal jurisdiction allows countries to prosecute individuals for serious crimes against humanity, regardless of where those crimes occurred. This means if someone commits severe human rights violations in one country, they can still be held accountable in another country. A notable case was the arrest of Augusto Pinochet, a former dictator of Chile, while he was in the UK. This case helped establish that perpetrators of severe human rights abuses can be pursued and prosecuted, supporting the idea of global justice.

Think of a school rule that applies to all students, even if they break it while visiting another school. If a student bullies another student at a different school, that student could still face consequences, even if they're far away. This encourages everyone to follow the rules and keeps the school environment fairer.

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