With reference to ONE contemporary human rights issue, explain the role of state sovereignty in enforcing human rights. - HSC - SSCE Legal Studies - Question 24 - 2011 - Paper 1

State sovereignty refers to the authority of a state to govern itself and make decisions without external interference. In the context of enforcing human rights, state sovereignty plays a crucial role as it allows states to prioritize their own legal and moral frameworks regarding human rights protection.

When a state is sovereign, it has the ability to create laws that adhere to or enhance human rights protections. For instance, countries have the power to ratify international human rights treaties and implement their provisions domestically. However, this sovereignty also means that a state can choose to neglect or violate human rights without external accountability, which raises questions about the effectiveness of international human rights mechanisms.

A contemporary issue exemplifying this is the situation in Myanmar concerning the Rohingya people. The Myanmar government has faced international criticism for its actions against the Rohingya, which many view as ethnic cleansing. Despite global calls for intervention, Myanmar's state sovereignty has limited external actions aimed at enforcing human rights within its borders.

Overall, while state sovereignty enables self-governance and the enactment of human rights protections, it can also impede international efforts to address human rights violations.