Book Review: Human Rights and the State

■ Book Review: Human Rights and the State

Written by Kiyoteru Tsutsui, Professor at the Stanford University Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC), "Human Rights and the State" delves into the paradox of international politics that allowed the development of a human rights system constraining state power.

● During World War II, out of the 50 to 80 million casualties, 40 to 50 million were civilians.

● At that time, while the U.S. (Japanese internment), Britain (colonial response), and the USSR (Stalinist oppression) were involved, China was the most committed to human rights.

→ The cruelty towards civilians and the position from which state powers stood shows that neither the West nor the East has been consistent, and even today, there is no firm doctrine.

● After 9/11, the U.S. invasion of Iraq proceeded without a UN resolution.

● The U.S. justified the abuses at Guantánamo Bay and Abu Ghraib prisons in Iraq.

→ My frustration stems from still not being able to digest this.

Twenty years ago, Japan, which supported America, now questions the legitimacy of condemning Russia.

Russia faces sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine.

Iraq bore the brunt of America's invasion of Iraq.

Syria was blamed for Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war.

Palestine bore the consequences of Israel's invasion.

Iraq was responsible for its 1991 invasion of Kuwait.

How can we properly explain the justice and legitimacy of each situation?

It's beyond my capacity.

Looking forward, if Japan were invaded, depending on its positions and power relations, it might also end up being blamed without being saved.

This makes me inclined to listen to the criticisms by the Middle Eastern that the West's attitude in this matter is a double standard.

● Russia has experience and know-how in top-down oppression, but the backlash against human rights and divisiveness from the grassroots in America are challenging to address.

→ What concerns me is grassroots oppression in Japan. A state prevails where intolerance hangs in the air, and oppression of others is seen as justice.

It was brought to my attention that in previous wars, there were citizens who wished for war and were enthusiastic about invasions, along with surveillance and oppression among the people.

To understand this current conflict, we must ask ourselves if we have improved at all?

What should we be learning from this situation?