Author: Unknown
Published on: 10/01/2025 | 00:00:00
AI Summary:
Carter built houses for the poor, helped eradicate lethal diseases and spoke out about thorny political issues. As president from 1977 to 1981, historians say Carter also placed a rhetorical emphasis on human rights that set a new standard for other leaders around the globe. Historians also note that Carter showed a willingness to discard human rights concerns during his presidency when faced with abuses committed by US allies in countries like South Korea and Indonesia. Amnesty International has popularised the language of human rights on the world stage. Foreign policy hawks saw the language as a tool that could be wielded against adversaries such as the Soviet Union in the global contest for influence and legitimacy. Carter’s national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski dismissively said in an internal memo that he wanted recommendations based on “serious” policy. The administration met what was perhaps the most serious test of its commitment to human rights in East Timor, which had sought independence. Instead, the administration increased support to Indonesia’s military government. The Carter Center, a human rights nonprofit founded by the late President Carter, was not able to respond to inquiries from Al Jazeera before publication. In South Korea, historians say Carter adopted the messaging of a military government facing human rights criticism. Journalist Timothy Shorrock says the Carter administration was wary of losing a useful Cold War ally. He says the US supported the South Korean leadership by freeing up military resources that allowed troops to put down the uprising. He adds that when a US aircraft carrier was sent to the region, protesters convinced of US rhetoric on democracy and human rights believed the US was coming to intervene on their behalf. Carter asserted that the US was helping South Korea maintain its national security against a threat of “communist subversion” it was the kind of rhetoric that South Korean leaders had long used to justify repressive and antidemocratic measures.
Original: 1308 words
Summary: 334 words
Percent reduction: 74.46%