Q.1 Which document is considered the foundation of modern human rights?
The Magna Carta
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The U.S. Constitution
The Geneva Conventions
Explanation - Adopted in 1948 by the United Nations, the UDHR laid down fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
Correct answer is: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Q.2 Which philosopher is most associated with the concept of the 'state of nature' and natural rights?
Karl Marx
John Locke
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Thomas Hobbes
Explanation - John Locke argued that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property, forming the basis of liberal political theory.
Correct answer is: John Locke
Q.3 What is the primary purpose of the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
To enforce international trade agreements
To prosecute individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity
To mediate border disputes
To monitor elections worldwide
Explanation - The ICC was established in 2002 to bring individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes to justice.
Correct answer is: To prosecute individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity
Q.4 Which term refers to the idea that all people should have equal access to global resources?
Global sovereignty
Distributive justice
Cultural relativism
Realpolitik
Explanation - Distributive justice in global contexts emphasizes fairness in the distribution of wealth, resources, and opportunities.
Correct answer is: Distributive justice
Q.5 What is meant by 'sovereignty' in international relations?
The power of NGOs
The supreme authority of a state within its territory
The role of the United Nations
The right to free trade
Explanation - Sovereignty means a state has ultimate authority over its territory and independence from external control.
Correct answer is: The supreme authority of a state within its territory
Q.6 Which global organization was founded in 1945 to promote peace and security?
NATO
The League of Nations
The United Nations
The European Union
Explanation - The United Nations was established after World War II to prevent future wars and promote international cooperation.
Correct answer is: The United Nations
Q.7 Which right is considered a 'negative right'?
Right to healthcare
Right to education
Right to freedom of speech
Right to social security
Explanation - Negative rights require others (especially the state) to refrain from interfering, while positive rights require provision of goods or services.
Correct answer is: Right to freedom of speech
Q.8 What is the principle of 'Responsibility to Protect' (R2P)?
A state must always prioritize its own citizens first
International community must intervene to prevent mass atrocities
Every citizen must serve in the military
All states must follow UN Security Council decisions
Explanation - R2P emphasizes that sovereignty includes responsibility to protect citizens; if a state fails, the international community has a duty to intervene.
Correct answer is: International community must intervene to prevent mass atrocities
Q.9 Which philosopher argued for 'cosmopolitanism'—the idea that all humans belong to a single moral community?
Immanuel Kant
Niccolò Machiavelli
Thomas Hobbes
Aristotle
Explanation - Kant proposed a vision of perpetual peace based on cosmopolitan law and respect for universal rights.
Correct answer is: Immanuel Kant
Q.10 Which human right is often called 'the right to have rights'?
Right to nationality
Right to education
Right to privacy
Right to property
Explanation - Hannah Arendt described nationality as 'the right to have rights' because without citizenship, other rights are hard to claim.
Correct answer is: Right to nationality
Q.11 What is the main focus of international humanitarian law?
Regulating international trade
Protecting the environment
Limiting the effects of armed conflict
Promoting cultural exchanges
Explanation - International humanitarian law sets rules to protect civilians and combatants during conflicts, including the Geneva Conventions.
Correct answer is: Limiting the effects of armed conflict
Q.12 Which international treaty is specifically aimed at protecting children’s rights?
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Geneva Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
Rome Statute
Explanation - Adopted in 1989, this treaty ensures protection and promotion of children's civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
Correct answer is: Convention on the Rights of the Child
Q.13 Which of the following is a collective right rather than an individual right?
Freedom of religion
Right to vote
Right to self-determination
Freedom of expression
Explanation - Self-determination applies to peoples or nations, not just individuals, giving them the right to freely determine their political status.
Correct answer is: Right to self-determination
Q.14 What is meant by 'cultural relativism' in human rights debates?
All cultures must follow Western values
Human rights are universal and unchanging
Human rights should be understood in the context of cultural differences
Cultural values are less important than international law
Explanation - Cultural relativism argues that rights should be interpreted in light of cultural practices, often clashing with universalist claims.
Correct answer is: Human rights should be understood in the context of cultural differences
Q.15 Which event led directly to the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
World War I
The Cold War
World War II
The American Civil War
Explanation - The atrocities of WWII highlighted the need for a global standard of rights and freedoms.
Correct answer is: World War II
Q.16 Which court handles cases of human rights violations in Europe?
The European Court of Human Rights
The International Criminal Court
The European Parliament
The UN Security Council
Explanation - Based in Strasbourg, it ensures compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Correct answer is: The European Court of Human Rights
Q.17 Which of the following is NOT considered a universal human right?
Right to life
Right to education
Right to torture
Right to freedom of thought
Explanation - Torture is prohibited under international human rights law and cannot be considered a right.
Correct answer is: Right to torture
Q.18 What is the primary role of Amnesty International?
Military defense of nations
Promotion and protection of human rights
Facilitating international trade
Running refugee camps
Explanation - Amnesty International is an NGO focused on exposing human rights abuses and advocating for victims worldwide.
Correct answer is: Promotion and protection of human rights
Q.19 Which philosopher is associated with the 'veil of ignorance' thought experiment for justice?
John Rawls
Karl Marx
Plato
John Stuart Mill
Explanation - Rawls suggested imagining society from behind a 'veil of ignorance' to design just institutions without personal bias.
Correct answer is: John Rawls
Q.20 What does 'non-refoulement' mean in refugee law?
Sending refugees back to their home country
Prohibiting the return of refugees to a country where they face danger
Granting automatic citizenship to refugees
Allowing states to refuse asylum applications
Explanation - Non-refoulement is a principle of international refugee law that prevents states from returning individuals to danger.
Correct answer is: Prohibiting the return of refugees to a country where they face danger
Q.21 Which of the following rights is considered a 'third-generation' human right?
Right to a fair trial
Right to education
Right to development
Right to free speech
Explanation - Third-generation rights emphasize solidarity, including rights to peace, development, and a healthy environment.
Correct answer is: Right to development
Q.22 Which international body has the power to authorize humanitarian interventions?
UN Security Council
World Bank
International Criminal Court
World Trade Organization
Explanation - The Security Council has the legal authority to approve interventions under the UN Charter.
Correct answer is: UN Security Council
Q.23 Which term describes rights that cannot be suspended even during emergencies?
Derogable rights
Inalienable rights
Relative rights
Absolute rights
Explanation - Absolute rights, such as the prohibition of torture, cannot be limited or suspended under any circumstances.
Correct answer is: Absolute rights
Q.24 What is the main criticism of universal human rights from postcolonial scholars?
They are too strict
They impose Western values on non-Western societies
They focus only on economic rights
They only apply during wars
Explanation - Postcolonial critiques argue that human rights discourse often reflects Western norms at the expense of cultural diversity.
Correct answer is: They impose Western values on non-Western societies
Q.25 Which international agreement focuses on civil and political rights?
ICESCR
ICCPR
Geneva Conventions
UNCLOS
Explanation - The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) guarantees rights like freedom of speech and fair trial.
Correct answer is: ICCPR