Английский язык
Учебное пособие
Для второго года обучения по специальности «Судебная и прокурорская деятельность»
Ответственные редакторы
кандидат филологических наук,
доцент Н. Ю. Ильина,
кандидат педагогических наук,
доцент С. В. Гузеева
Информация о книге
УДК 811.111(075.8)
ББК 81.2Англ-923
А64
Авторы:
Ильина Н. Ю., Киселева Л. А., Мишурова О. И. – ch. 1; Гузеева С. В., Матияшина К. Я. – chs 2, 3; Дегтярева Е. А. – ch. 4; Кискина М. В. – ch. 5; Бородина Е. А. – ch. 6; Злобина О. Г., Мартыненко И. А. – ch. 7.
Рецензенты:
Фролова Г. М., кандидат педагогических наук, профессор, заведующая кафедрой лингводидактики Института иностранных языков имени М. Тореза Московского государственного лингвистического университета;
Ильина А. Ю., кандидат филологических наук, доцент, доцент кафедры иностранных языков филологического факультета Российского университета дружбы народов имени Патриса Лумумбы;
Прокофьева О. Г., кандидат филологических наук, доцент кафедры юридического перевода Института юридического перевода Московского государственного юридического университета имени О. Е. Кутафина (МГЮА).
Ответственные редакторы кандидат филологических наук, доцент Н. Ю. Ильина, кандидат педагогических наук, доцент С. В. Гузеева.
Учебное пособие состоит из семи глав, содержание которых охватывает важные аспекты профессиональной деятельности органов прокуратуры.
Цель данного пособия – развитие основных видов речевой деятельности в сфере профессиональной иноязычной коммуникации.
Издание адресовано студентам и слушателям юридических вузов, обучающимся по специальности «Судебная и прокурорская деятельность», а также может быть полезно лицам, изучающим юридический английский язык.
УДК 811.111(075.8)
ББК 81.2Англ-923
© Коллектив авторов, 2024
© ООО «Проспект», 2024
ПРЕДИСЛОВИЕ
Настоящее учебное пособие предназначено для студентов второго года обучения по специальности «Судебная и прокурорская деятельность». Пособие подготовлено профессорско-преподавательским коллективом кафедры английского языка Московского государственного юридического университета имени О. Е. Кутафина (МГЮА) в соответствии с рабочей программой по дисциплине «Иностранный язык» согласно ФГОС ВО.
Пособие раскрывает такие темы, как международные стандарты прокурорской деятельности; органы прокуратуры Российской Федерации, Соединенного Королевства Великобритании и Северной Ирландии и США, их структура и функции; международные преступления и межгосударственное сотрудничество в борьбе с ними; современные внутренние и внешние угрозы национальной безопасности и меры противодействия им, и др., что дает студентам более широкое видение своей будущей профессии.
Основными задачами учебного пособия, по мнению авторов, являются формирование у обучающихся умений и навыков восприятия, овладение студентами технологией переработки иноязычной профессионально значимой информации, а также развитие способности свободно продуцировать профессионально значимые высказывания в ситуациях профессионально-делового общения с соблюдением лингвистических и социальных норм носителей языка.
Пособие состоит из семи глав, разделенных на 4–6 уроков. Структура урока включает введение, один или несколько аутентичных текстов и комплекс разнообразных заданий к ним, направленных как на решение языковых и переводческих задач, так и на формирование исследовательских и коммуникативных навыков. В каждой главе содержатся творческие задания, которые мотивируют обучающихся к поиску необходимой для освоения профессии информации в различных источниках и активному участию в дискуссии. Особое внимание уделяется объяснению лингвистических и грамматических трудностей и специфики юридического английского языка. Каждая глава сопровождается глоссарием, позволяющим студентам закрепить основные лексические единицы по теме, а схемы и рисунки визуально дополняют теоретический материал.
Авторы выражают искреннюю благодарность старшему преподавателю кафедры английского языка Матияшиной Ксении Ярославовне за неоценимый вклад в разработку, редактирование пособия и техническое обеспечение работы, а также старшему преподавателю Ткачевой Елене Петровне за тщательное прочтение рукописи и ценные замечания.
Chapter 1. INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Unit 1. International Law
Lead-in
1. Discuss the questions in pairs. Use the following word combinations.
If I’m not mistaken… — если я не ошибаюсь…
If I remember rightly… — если я правильно помню…
It’s needless to say…– нет нужды говорить…
It’s common knowledge that... — общеизвестно, что…
It’s well known that… — хорошо известно, что…
I’m sure… — я уверен…
Probably — возможно, вероятно.
Something tells me – что-то мне подсказывает…
It is just my point of view — это только моя точка зрения.
I found out that… — я выяснил, что…
1. Can international law be called a phenomenon of the 20th century?
2. How do international laws differ from domestic laws?
3. Will international law continue to develop?
2. Read and translate the text.
Text
Vocabulary
1. public international law — международное публичное право
2. private international law — международное частное право
3. supranational law — наднациональное право
4. to surrender one’s right to – отказаться от своего права в чью-либо пользу
5. to condone smth — оправдывать, потворствовать
6. an express agreement — положительно выраженное соглашение
7. to participate halfheartedly — принимать участие без энтузиазма
8. to skirt the rules — обходить правила
9. to look to smth — учитывать что-либо
10. customary law — обычное право
International law is a set of rules, agreements and treaties that are binding between countries. There are three types of international law that can be referenced: public international law, private international law, and supranational law. Public international law focuses on the rights, obligations, and relationships between sovereign states and international organisations. It deals with issues of global concern, such as diplomatic relations, human rights, armed conflicts, and international trade. Private international law addresses matters involving individuals and corporations of different states and determines the jurisdiction that has authority to hear a legal dispute, and which jurisdiction’s laws should be applied in a particular case. Supranational law refers to the situation wherein nations surrender to the court their right to make certain judicial decisions.
When sovereign states enter into agreements that are binding and enforceable, it’s called international law. Countries come together to make binding rules that they believe benefit their citizens. International laws promote peace, justice, common interests, and trade.
International laws apply to governments. It’s up to each state government to implement and follow international laws. A country’s laws apply to citizens and other people that are present in the country. However, it’s up to the country’s governing authority to apply international law and keep their agreements with the other countries that are involved.
International law might address and regulate any of the following issues:
• human rights
• treatment of refugees
• prosecution for international crimes
• arms agreements and controls
• how states can claim new territories
• regulating common spaces like water and outer space
• trade between states
• preventing war
• when it’s admissible for a state to use force
• fair treatment of prisoners
• preserving the environment
One of the complex issues in international law is the issue of sovereignty. That’s the idea that the state is supreme, and that a state isn’t subject to the rules of any other country or body. It’s the idea that one country can’t tell another country what to do. State sovereignty is a relatively new concept in history that rose as more governments organised themselves into states in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Because of the notion of state sovereignty, international law may only be as effective as the extent of the country’s true, honest participation in making and following the international laws and treaties that they agree to. To the extent that a state may halfheartedly participate in an international agreement only with the hope of making other countries happy, enforcing international law can be a challenge. Some countries might claim to follow an agreement while skirting the rules, and others might not even try to hide their failure to follow the international agreements that they’re a party to. International leaders, philosophers and politicians continue to debate the authority and enforceability of international law in light of modern state sovereignty.
International law generally comes from three sources: treaties, customs, and general principles of law. Treaties are express agreements that countries enter into voluntarily. They’re written agreements. The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969 calls for interpretation of treaties based on the plain language of the words in the treaties. The context of the words and the presumption of good faith and good intentions can also play a role in interpreting a treaty. The United States signed the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties in 1970.
Customs are common practices between countries. They’re common practices that are so expected and consistent that countries operate with the belief that the custom is legally required and binding. Examples of customary law are the prohibitions of a state using or condoning genocide or slavery. Generally, as long as a state doesn’t object to customary law, it applies to that state.
Finally, principles of law are general rules of law that develop over time. Principles of law are an understanding of how the law should work based on past rulings. In addition to looking at past rulings, international courts can also look to judicial opinions for help identifying and interpreting international law. Just like other judicial bodies look to case law and treaties, international courts and others interpreting international law may look to these sources for authorities on interpreting international law.
3. Give Russian equivalents to the following words and word combinations.
a. treatment of refugees
b. the plain language
c. case law
d. to look to smth
e. to condone genocide
f. to be subject to the rules
g. to hide one’s failure
h. express agreements
i. arms agreements
j. to follow international laws
k. binding agreement
l. to be up to each state
m. to reference
n. to be supreme
o. to promote peace, justice, common interests and trade
p. prosecution for international crimes
q. outer space
r. issues of global concern
4. Find English equivalents to the following words and word combinations in the text.
a. договор, приводимый в исполнение в принудительном порядке
b. приносить пользу гражданам
c. обращение с заключенными
d. принимать участие без энтузиазма
e. являться непростой задачей
f. свод правил
g. призывы к чему-либо
h. в той мере, насколько
i. добровольно
j. принцип добросовестного выполнения международных обязательств
k. потворствовать рабству
l. заключать соглашение
m. сохранять окружающую среду
n. обходить правила
o. понятие
p. отказываться от своего права в чью-либо пользу
5. Match the words on the left with their definitions on the right and give their Russian equivalents.
| 1. refugee | a. a lack of success |
| 2. outer space | b. a sincere intention to deal fairly with others |
| 3. treatment | c. a displaced person |
| 4. challenge | d. fairness in the way that people are treated |
| 5. failure | e. the murder of a whole group of people |
| 6. good faith | f. the area outside the earth’s atmosphere |
| 7. justice | g. the way you deal with someone |
| 8. genocide | h. something new and difficult |
6. Insert prepositions consulting the text.
1. It’s up _____ each state government to implement and follow international laws.
2. The context of the words and the presumption of good faith and good intentions can also play a role _____ interpreting a treaty.
3. International courts can also look _____ judicial opinions _____ help identifying and interpreting international law.
4. A country’s laws apply _____ citizens and other people that are present in the country.
5. International leaders, philosophers and politicians continue to debate the authority and enforceability of international law _____ light of modern state sovereignty.
6. Principles of law are an understanding _____ how the law should work based _____ past rulings.
7. A state isn’t subject _____ the rules of any other country or body.
7. Answer the questions.
1. What is international law?
2. What do international laws promote?
3. What does international law involve?
4. What is one of the complex issues in international law?
5. What does the effectiveness of international law depend on?
6. What are the sources of international law?
7. Give examples of customary law.
8. What does the notion “principles of law” mean?
8. Translate the sentences from Russian into English using the active vocabulary.
1. Международное право — это совокупность принципов и норм, регулирующих межгосударственные и иные международные отношения в целях обеспечения мира и безопасности, осуществления сотрудничества в разрешении международных проблем.
2. Международное право — это не отрасль, а отдельная система права, создаваемая государствами и межгосударственными организациями путем соглашений, предметом регулирования которых являются отношения между государствами, а также иные международные отношения.
3. Одним из основных источников международного права является международный договор. Он представляет собой письменное соглашение между субъектами международного права, регулируемое соответствующими нормами общего международного права.
4. Международное публичное право — это особая правовая система, регулирующая отношения между государствами.
5. Международное частное право представляет совокупность норм, регулирующих частноправовые отношения на международной арене.
6. Наднациональное право — форма международного права, при которой государства соглашаются ограничить себя в некоторых правах и делегировать ряд полномочий наднациональным органам.
7. Когда суверенные государства заключают соглашения, которые имеют обязательную силу и подлежат исполнению, это называется международным правом. Международное право содействует обеспечению мира, справедливости, общим интересам и развитию торговли.
9. A large number of Latin words and phrases are used in international law. Match each Latin word or expression with its English definition.
| 1. lex fori | a. the law of the place where a property is situated |
| 2. lex situs | b. the body of treaties, UN conventions, and other international agreements |
| 3. jus inter gentes | c. law that must be followed by all countries. |
| 4. jus gentium | d. is the belief that an action was carried out as a legal obligation. |
| 5. opinio juris | e. is a concept of international law within the ancient Roman legal system and Western law traditions based on or influenced by it. |
| 6. jus cogens | f. the law of the court in which a proceeding is brought |
Grammar revision
Types of Conditional Sentences
There are four kinds of conditionals:
The zero conditional is present tense and expresses a fact. It tells us about something that always happens under certain conditions.
• If you have a problem, you take legal advice.
• When people break laws, they go to prison.
The 1st conditional tells us what may happen in the future if a certain condition is met:
• If you don’t make a contract in writing, it will be difficult to enforce it in court.
• You will be legally bound to do some work if you take money for it.
The 2nd conditional imagines what would happen if something were true — but it’s not. This is often called the “present unreal conditional”. The verb after the “if” is in simple past form, even though it’s talking about the present. This tells listeners that the suggestion is imaginary, not true.
(In formal use the verb “be” is also in plural form, even for singulars, as another clue. See “if something were true” above. Speaking casually, many people use ‘was.’)
• If I were President, I would make new laws.
• If there were no laws, there would be anarchy in the society then.
The 3rd conditional talks about how the past might have been different if different steps had been taken. The verb after the “if” is (again) farther into the past. In this case it’s a past perfect. The independent clause is a conditional perfect using would or another modal verb.
• If you had studied, you would have passed that exam.
• If they hadn’t breached the contract, we wouldn’t have started an action in court.
1. Translate the sentences from English into Russian.
1. Even if the law is not able to stop the outbreak of war, it will govern the conduct of hostilities.
2. If the laws of a nation-state were applicable in regional agreements, there would be no need for supranational law.
3. If the United Nations hadn`t developed new advisory standards, there would be no Declaration of Human Rights.
4. Had the circumstances been more favourable the parties would have come to an agreement.
5. If the East African community becomes a political federation, it will be another example of a supranational legal framework alongside with the European Union.
2. Translate the sentences from Russian into English. Use the dictionary if necessary.
1. Если бы сопротивление враждующих сторон было преодолено, мир был бы установлен.
2. Если бы не было Венской конвенции, многие международные проблемы было бы трудно разрешить.
3. Если бы не соблюдались принципы международного права, не удавалось бы избегать международных конфликтов.
4. Если мы обратимся к статье 2 Венской конвенции, то найдем там определение договора.
5. Если вы разбираетесь в вопросах международного публичного права, то сможете выступить на конференции.
Unit 2. The United Nations Organization
Lead-in
1. Discuss the questions in pairs. Use the following word combinations.
| in my view (in my opinion) personally, I think as far as I’m concerned according to (smb) I agree with you I doubt I have my doubts about yes, you could be right but I’m not sure (that) I agree to some extent but I’m afraid I totally disagree |
по-моему я считаю что касается меня как считает я с Вами согласен я сомневаюсь я не уверен (в чем-либо) возможно, Вы правы, но я не уверен (что) я согласен в какой-то мере, но боюсь, что я совсем не согласен |
1. What do you know about the United Nations?
2. Do you think the UN is a governmental organisation?
3. What city is associated with the United Nations?
4. Does the UN fight against terrorism?
2. Read and translate the text.
Text 1
Vocabulary
1. an aim — цель (syn. purpose, objective, goal)
2. to facilitate cooperation — содействовать сотрудничеству (syn. to promote)
3. to maintain peace — сохранить мир (syn. to preserve)
4. to provide a platform for dialogue — создавать платформу для диалога
5. human rights — права человека
6. to promote respect for human rights — содействовать соблюдению прав человека
7. international security — международная безопасность
8. to achieve world peace — добиваться глобального мира
9. the UN member-states — страны — члены ООН
10. the UN headquarters — штаб-квартира ООН
11. the UN Charter — Устав ООН
12. the UN General Assembly — Генеральная Ассамблея ООН
13. the UN Secretary General — Генеральный секретарь ООН
14. the UN Security Council — Совет Безопасности ООН
15. the Economic and Social Council — Экономический и Социальный Совет
16. the International Court of Justice –Международный Суд
17. public figure — общественный деятель
18. a successor — преемник
19. to espouse the idea — вдохновиться идеей
The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achieving world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for a dialogue.
There are currently nearly 200 member states, including nearly every recognised independent state in the world. From its headquarters on international territory in New York City, the UN and its specialised agencies decide on substantive and administrative issues in regular meetings held throughout the year.
The organisation is divided into administrative bodies, primarily:
— the General Assembly (the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ)
— the Security Council (decides certain resolutions for peace and security);
— the Economic and Social Council (assists in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development)
— the Secretariat (provides studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN)
— the International Court of Justice (the primary judicial organ)
Additional bodies deal with the governance of all other UN System agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children`s Fund (UNICEF), etc.
The UN`s most visible public figure who serves as the chief administrative officer of the United Nations is the Secretary-General, appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year, renewable term.
The organisation is financed from assessed and voluntary contributions from its member states, and has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
The UN was founded as a successor to the League of Nations, which was widely considered to have been ineffective in its role as an international governing body, as it had been unable to prevent World War II. The term “United Nations” was first used by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, in the 1942 Declaration by United Nations, which united the Allied countries of WWII under the Atlantic Charter, and soon became a term widely used to refer to them. Declarations signed at wartime Allied conferences in 1943 espoused the idea of the UN. Those and later talks outlined the organisation`s proposed purposes, membership, organs, and ideals in regard to peace, security, and cooperation.
On 25 April 1945, the UN Conference on International Organization began in San-Francisco, attended by 50 governments and a number of non-governmental organisations involved in drafting the Charter of the UN. The UN officially came into existence on 24 October 1945 upon ratification of the Charter by the five permanent members of the Security Council — France, the Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States — and by a majority of the other 46 signatories. The first meetings of the General Assembly, with 51 nations represented, and the Security Council, took place in Westminster Central Hall in London in January 1946. According to the Charter, the UN is to maintain international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among nations, to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights.
3. Give Russian equivalents to the following words and word combinations.
a. to facilitate cooperation
b. member states
c. to achieve world peace
d. to provide a platform for a dialogue
e. the UN headquarters
f. a successor
g. to prevent World War II h. international security
i. to hold meetings
j. substantive issues
k. ineffective
l. to draft the Charter of the UN m. to come into existence
4. Find English equivalents to the following words and word combinations in the text.
a. международная безопасность
b. содействовать сотрудничеству
c. соблюдать права человека
d. обеспечивать платформу для диалога
e. важные вопросы
f. сохранять мир во всем мире
g. согласно Уставу
h. Генеральный секретарь ООН
i. предотвратить войну
j. преемник Лиги Наций
k. прекратить войны
l. штаб-квартира
m. Генеральная Ассамблея ООН
n. Совет Безопасности
5. Answer the questions.
1. When was the UN founded and for what purpose?
2. When was the term “United Nations” first used and by whom?
3. What countries ratified the UN Charter?
4. What did the UN Charter set out?
5. What are the main bodies of the UN?
6. When did the UN officially come into existence?
7. When and where did the first meetings of the General Assembly and the Security Council take place?
6. Translate the sentences from Russian into English using the active vocabulary. Consult the dictionary if necessary.
1. Целью ООН является поддержание международного мира и безопасности, разрешение спорных вопросов путем переговоров.
2. Основными органами ООН являются: Генеральная Ассамблея, Совет Безопасности, Экономический и Социальный Совет, Международный Суд, Секретариат, — каждый из которых включает в себя большое количество комитетов и подкомитетов.
3. Устав ООН был подписан 50 странами в 1945 году в Сан-Франциско, Калифорния.
4. ООН всегда руководствовалась принципом невмешательства во внутренние дела независимых государств и пыталась урегулировать споры конфликтующих сторон.
5. ООН выступает за осуществление международного сотрудничества в экономической, социальной, культурной и гуманитарной областях.
7. Complete the text by choosing the correct word and word combination from the box.
| a. may be convened | b. peace and security | c. annual sessions | d. on the agenda |
| e. fails to exercise | f. special sessions | g. member nations | h. lack of unanimity |
| i. the UN budget | j. representatives | k. the charter | l. Secretary General |
| m. entitled to one vote | n. maintenance | o. collective measures | p. breach of peace |
The General Assembly is composed of representatives of all ___1___. Each nation may send not more than five ___2___ to each session. Each nation is ___3___.
The General Assembly meets in regular ___4___ and in ___5___ when necessary. Special sessions are convoked by the ___6___ at the request of the Security Council or of a majority of the members of the UN.
Important matters, such as international ___7___, admitting new members, ___8___ are decided by two-thirds majority. In recent years, a special effort has been made to reach decisions through consensus, rather than by formal vote.
Any matter within the scope of ___9___ may be brought before the General Assembly, which may make recommendations on all except issues ___10___ of the Security Council. However, the General Assembly in November, 1950, decided that if the Security Council, because of ___11___ among its permanent members, ___12___ its primary responsibility for ___13___ of international peace and security, in any case where there appears to be a threat to peace, ___14___ or act of aggression, the Assembly may consider it and recommend ___15___ including the use of armed forces to maintain or restore peace. In such cases, the General Assembly ___16___ within 24 hours in an emergency special session.
8. Read the text and decide whether the statements are true or false.
Text 2
1. There are 20 Security Council members.
2. The Security Council may convene from September to December.
3. The Security Council has the power to make binding decisions that member governments have agreed to carry out.
4. The International Court of Justice sits in New York.
5. A nation not a UN member may not appear at the Security Council discussions if it is a party to a dispute.
6. When the Security Council is handling a dispute or situation the General Assembly makes recommendations.
The Security Council consists of 15 members, 5 with permanent seats (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States). The remaining 10 are elected for 2-year terms by the General Assembly, they are not eligible for immediate re-election.
The Security Council has the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and members agree to carry out its decisions. The Council may investigate any dispute that threatens international peace and security. When the Security Council is handling a dispute or situation the General Assembly makes no recommendation unless the Council requests it.
The Security Council functions continuously, each member being represented at all times. It may change its place of meeting.
Any member of the UN may participate in its discussions and a nation not a member of the UN may appear if it is a party to a dispute.
The Security Council may decide to enforce its decisions without the use of arms. Such measures include interruption of economic relations, break in transportation and communications, and severance of diplomatic relations. If such measures fail the Council may call on UN members to furnish armed forces and assistance. The right of individual or collective self-defense is not prohibited by membership in the UN, and if a member nation is attacked it may do what is necessary, reporting this to the Security Council, which may take independent action. However, the Council encourages regional arrangements or agencies by means of which local disputes can be settled without getting as far as the Council, after the Council has approved this method.
The Economic and Social Council
Economic and Social Council consists of twenty-seven members. The Council is concerned with financial and technical assistance to the less developed countries, the international protection of refugees and aid to the world’s children.
The International Court of Justice
The principal judicial organ of the United Nations is the International Court of Justice which sits at the Hague in the Netherlands. It is composed of fifteen judges who are elected by the Security Council and the General Assembly.
The Secretariat
The Secretariat comprises the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN staff members who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly and the Organization’s other principal bodies.
Grammar revision
1. Translate the following sentences into Russian.
Models:
1. If we are to make inroads on crime and delinquency we must make inroads on poverty. Если мы намерены нанести удар по организованной и детской преступности, мы должны бороться с бедностью.
2. The need for measures to protect the environment becomes more urgent every day if nature is to be preserved.
Необходимость в мерах по защите окружающей среды с каждым днем становится все более насущной, если мы хотим, чтобы (для того, чтобы) природа была сохранена.
1. Man-made rules are essential if the community is to work properly.
2. If the Government is to handle the problem of poverty, there are a number of measures to be urgently taken.
3. If civilisation is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships — the ability of people to work together at peace.
4. Science is essential if environmental concerns are to be translated into practical actions.
5. Governments had to make and enforce appropriate law, if social control was to be exercised.
6. If statutes are to fit particular cases, they need to be specially interpreted by the courts.
7. If an appeal is to be made against the judgement, it must be made within a limited period of time.
8. The applicant must satisfy a few requirements if he is to qualify for free legal aid.
9. The WTO dispute settlement agreement stresses that “prompt compliance with recommendations of the DSB* is essential if effective resolution of disputes is to be to the benefit of all Members”.
10. The GATT** rules are helpful in ensuring nondiscrimination, but much more is required if transaction costs are to be reduced significantly.
*the Dispute Settlement Body — Орган по разрешению споров
*the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade — Генеральное соглашение по тарифам и торговле
Unit 3. What Are Human Rights?
Lead-in
1. Discuss these issues.
1. The principle of universality of human rights is the cornerstone of international human rights law.
2. Human rights can never be taken away, although they can sometimes be restricted.
3. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression.
2. Translate the text in writing.
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination. International human rights law lays down the obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.
3. Read the text and answer the questions.
1. What was the central reason for creating the UN?
2. When was the Universal Declaration of Human rights adopted?
3. What principles enshrined in the Declaration are being implemented by the UN and its agencies?
4. What is the purpose of the United Nations Human Rights Council?
5. What does the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples outline?
6. What does the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples prohibit?
Text
Vocabulary
1. the pursuit of human rights — соблюдение прав человека
2. atrocities — зверства, злодеяния
3. human rights violation — нарушение прав человека
4. to that end — для достижения этой цели
5. to take up human rights issues — рассматривать вопросы прав человека
6. high-profile positions — высокие посты
7. indigenous peoples — коренные народы
8. populace — население
9. to be afflicted by – пострадать от
The pursuit of human rights was the central reason for creating the UN, World War II atrocities and genocide led to a ready consensus that the new organisation must work to prevent any similar tragedies in the future. An early objective was creating a legal framework for considering and acting on complaints about human rights violations. The UN Charter obliges all member nations to promote “universal respect for, and observance of, “human rights” and to take “joint and separate action” to that end. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, though not legally binding, was adopted by the General Assembly in 1948. The Assembly regularly takes up human rights issues.
The UN and its agencies are implementing the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A case in point is support by the UN for countries in transition to democracy, technical assistance in providing free and fair elections, improving judicial structures, drafting constitutions, training human rights officials. The UN is also a forum to support the right of women to participate fully in the political, economic, and social life of their countries. The UN contributes to raising consciousness of the concept of human rights through its covenants and its attention to specific abuses through its General Assembly, Security Council resolutions, or International Court of Justice rulings.
The purpose of the United Nations Human Rights Council, established in 2006, is to address human rights violations. The Council is the successor to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which was often criticised for the high-profile positions it gave to member states that did not guarantee the human rights of their own citizens. The council has
47 members distributed by region, each serve a three-year term, and may not serve three consecutive terms. A candidate to the body must be approved by a majority of the General Assembly.
The rights of indigenous peoples around the world is also a focus for the UN, with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples being approved by the General Assembly in 2007. The declaration outlines the individual and collective rights to culture, language, education, identity, employment and health, thereby addressing post-colonial issues which have confronted indigenous peoples for centuries. The declaration aims to maintain, strengthen and encourage the growth of indigenous institutions, cultures and traditions. It also prohibits discrimination against indigenous peoples and promotes their active participation in matters which concern their past, present and future.
In conjunction with other organisations such as the Red Cross, the UN provides food, drinking water, shelter and other humanitarian services to populaces suffering from famine, displaced by war, or afflicted by other disasters. Major humanitarian branches of the UN are World Food Programme (which helps feed more than 100 million people a year in
80 countries), the office of the High Commissioner for Refugees with projects in over 116 countries, as well as peacekeeping projects in over 24 countries.
4. Give Russian equivalents to the following words and word combinations.
a. the pursuit of human rights
b. a three-year term
c. to maintain the growth of indigenous institutions
d. to address post-colonial issues
e. a covenant
f. the High Commissioner for Refugees
g. the Red Cross
h. to promote universal respect for human rights
i. the Security Council
j. to be legally binding
k. consecutive terms
l. populaces, displaced by war
m. to take joint and separate action
5. Find English equivalents to the following words and word combinations in the text.
a. злодеяния
b. страдать от голода
c. Всемирная продовольственная программа
d. высокие посты
e. повысить осведомленность
f. принципы, закрепленные во Всеобщей декларации прав человека
g. конкретные нарушения
h. соблюдение прав
i. Генеральная Ассамблея
j. полноценно участвовать
k. преемник
l. переход к демократии
6. Match the names of the United Nations organisations with their definitions.
| 1. the General Assembly | a. an international organisation that takes care of people who are suffering because of war, hunger, disease, or other problems |
| 2. the United Nations Human Rights Council | b. a part of the United Nations whose purpose is to prevent war and keep peace |
| 3. the Red Cross | c. the main deliberative body of the United Nations |
| 4. the Security Council | d. the most important court of law within the United Nations that is responsible for solving disagreements between the governments of different countries and giving legal advice to international organisations |
| 5. the International Court of Justice | e. an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe |
7. Say whether the following statements are true or false. Explain why.
1. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the Security Council in 1945.
2. The UN Charter obliges all member nations to promote respect for and observance of human rights.
3. The UN does not support the rights of women.
4. The UN Human Rights Council was established in 2000.
5. The UN Commission on Human Rights was criticised for not taking up human rights issues regularly.
6. The Declaration of Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples does not promote the active participation in matters which concern their life.
8. Render the text in English.
Права и свободы человека можно классифицировать по следующим критериям:
По содержанию прав и свобод:
— гражданские и политические права;
— экономические, социальные и культурные права;
— коллективные права.
Гражданские права – это права, которые принадлежат человеку как члену гражданского общества: право на жизнь, свободу, равенство, недопущение пыток и т. д. Этими правами обладают как граждане государства, так и иностранные граждане и лица без гражданства.
Политические права связаны с участием граждан в управлении государством и в общественной жизни. Политические права представлены избирательным кодексом: право принимать участие в ведении государственных дел, право голосовать и быть избранным и т. д.
Экономические права непосредственно связаны с гражданскими правами и включают право владеть имуществом, право на справедливое вознаграждение за труд и другие права.
Социальные права должны обеспечивать человеку достойный и достаточный уровень жизни, а также социальную защищенность: право на социальное обеспечение, жилище, охрану здоровья, на отдых и т.д.
Культурные права и свободы человека призваны гарантировать духовное развитие человека: право на образование, доступ к культурным ценностям, свободу художественного творчества и другие права;
По субъектам:
— общие права и свободы, которые имеют универсальный характер, принадлежат всем категориям лиц;
— права, принадлежащие отдельным социальным группам (женщины, дети, беженцы, инвалиды, пожилые люди и др.);
По возможности ограничения прав и свобод:
— права и свободы, которые могут подлежать ограничению;
— права и свободы, которые не могут быть ограничены.
В Международном пакте о гражданских и политических правах 1966 года закреплен перечень статей, содержащих права, которые не могут быть ограничены ни при каких обстоятельствах, даже в период чрезвычайного положения в государстве, например: право на жизнь, недопущение пыток, недопущение медицинских экспериментов, рабства и т. д.;
По приоритетности прав и свобод:
— право на жизнь образует первооснову всех других прав и свобод. Оно представляет собой абсолютную ценность мировой цивилизации, так как без соблюдения данного права все остальные права утрачивают смысл и значение.
9. Find the information on the following themes on the Internet and make a presentation on one of the topics.
1. The difference between human rights and civil rights.
2. Basic rights and duties of the individual and the citizen enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
3. Human Rights Watch.
Grammar revision
1. Translate the following sentences into Russian.
Example: I wish this law was passed in the nearest future. — Хорошо бы, чтобы этот закон был принят в ближайшем будущем.
He’s bad at doing business and I wish he hadn’t founded a sole proprietorship. — Он не умеет заниматься бизнесом и зря основал частное предприятие.
I wish they had been present at the trial. — Жаль, что их не было на суде.
1. I wish they behaved reasonably.
2. I wish you hadn’t deceived me.
3. I wish they had settled the dispute peacefully.
4. I wish they hadn’t breached the treaty.
5. I wish the transaction was considered valid.
6. I wish they had stopped the outbreak of war.
7. I wish they had reached a compromise.
8. I wish his rights were observed.
Unit 4. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
1. Read the text and answer the questions.
1. When was the UDHR adopted?
2. How many articles does the UDHR consist of?
3. What are the articles devoted to?
Text
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), foundational document of international human rights law. It has been referred to as humanity’s Magna Carta by Eleanor Roosevelt, who chaired the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights that was responsible for the drafting of the document. After minor changes it was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948 (now celebrated annually as Human Rights Day), as a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”. The French jurist René Cassin was originally recognised as the principal author of the UDHR.
The UDHR comprises 30 articles that contain a comprehensive listing of key civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Articles 3 through 21 outline civil and political rights, which include the right against torture, the right to an effective remedy for human rights violations, and the right to take part in government. Articles 22 through 27 detail economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to work, the right to form and to join trade unions, and the right to participate freely in the cultural life of the community. The latter right relates to everyone’s entitlement to be directly involved in and appreciative of the arts, and it is clearly linked to the full development of one’s own personality (which, in accordance with article 26, constitutes one of the goals of the right to education). Because of the ideological fissures caused by the Cold War and the concomitant failure to develop a legally binding international human rights instrument, it became common to view civil and political rights independently of economic, social, and cultural rights, though this is a misinterpretation of both the letter and the spirit of the document. For example, it is impossible for a society to fulfill its commitment to the right to education (Article 26) without taking seriously its commitment to the right to seek, receive, and impart information (Article 19). Likewise, it is difficult to envisage the realisation of the right to form and to join trade unions (Article 23) without a commensurate realisation of the right to peaceful assembly and association (Article 20).
2. Complete the first ten articles of the UDHR with the words form the box.
THE DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
| сharge | detention | discrimination | exile |
| freedoms | law | liberty | punishment |
| race | remedy | rights | slavery |
| tribunal | free |
Article 1
All human beings are born ______ and equal in dignity and rights.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and ______ set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as______, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, ______ and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in ______ or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or ______.
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