Jimmy Carter proclaimed that human rights would be the centerpiece of his foreign policy. Carter was, no doubt, sincere in his intentions, but his application of human rights was inconsistent. Provide a description and analysis of Carter’s human rights policy. Discuss both its limitations as well as Carter’s positive contributions to human rights in American foreign policy and globally.
Jimmy Carter proclaimed that human rights would be the centerpiece of his foreign policy
Before assuming the presidency, Jimmy Carter had been a one-term governor of a southern state with no national or international experience. He did, however, have his own foreign policy goals. He wanted the United States to take the lead in promoting universal human rights. Carter came to the White House determined to make human rights considerations integral to U.S. foreign policy. He explained that U.S. support for human rights involved promoting human freedom worldwide and protecting the individual from the arbitrary power of the state. These principles grew out of the United Nation’s 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which established the foundation of the modern human rights movement. The Carter administration raised greater awareness of human rights concerns by connecting human rights to the execution of U.S. foreign policy.
In December 1938, during his presidential address in the 27th session of All India Muslim League at Patna, Muhammad Ali Jinnah paid his heartiest homage to this charismatic leader of Turkey in these words, ‘Another great figure; a world figure, who passed away is Mustafa Kamal Ataturk. His death has come as the great blow to the Muslim world. He was the foremost figure in the Muslim East’ (Haq, 2010).
The year 1947 is to be known as very crucial period in the history of the world, on one hand the old order started crumbling with the partition of Europe in two separate spheres. On other side when Sub Continent was divided in two independent states of Pakistan and India on ideological grounds. The most desired dream of the Indian Muslims transformed into reality and they were now in possession of their separate homeland Pakistan ; the land of pure people which was the bearer of the ancient civilization and culture; it appeared on the world map. After partition Pakistan thought of its establishing diplomatic relations with foreign countries, one of them was the foremost lands to which its thoughts turned was Turkey. The Muslims of the Subcontinent learnt great lessons and inspiration during their fight for independence from the their Turkish brethren. The crucial years of Khilafat Movement from 1919 to 1922 played a very pivotal role in the Pakistan Movement as this Khilafat Movement was the first great movement run by the Indian Muslims on a large scale. They not only stood in support of their Turkish brethren but proved themselves as a remarkable aspect in the land mark history of Turkish Emperor.
Malik Firoze Khan Noon, on special instructions of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah visited Turkey on 12 December 1947 and stated, ‘Pakistan admires the glorious past of Turkey, and its administrative achievements and organizational abilities in the past and present times. Pak