RC Social Science: Fundamentals Problem Set

Adapted from the Health and Human Rights Journal article “Inconvenient Human Rights: Water and Sanitation in Sweden’s Informal Roma Settlements” by Martha F. Davis and Natasha Ryan, 2017.

The Romani, or Roma, people, an itinerant Indo-Aryan ethnic group that now lives in countries across Europe, have been treated with derision throughout history. Consistently, governments across Europe have not recognized the group either as citizens or protected their basic human rights. Following an increase in Roma migration under the European “freedom of movement” laws between 2013 and 2016, Swedish municipalities initiated more than 80 evictions of informal Roma settlements on the grounds of poor sanitation. These evictions echo policies from earlier in the 20th century, when Roma living in Sweden were often marginalized through the denial of access to water and sanitation facilities. However, access to water and sanitation—central aspects of human health—are universal human rights that must be available to all people present in a jurisdiction, regardless of their legal status. The evictions described here violated Sweden’s obligations under both European and international human rights law. More positive government responses are required, such as providing shelters or camping sites, setting up temporary facilities, and directly engaging with communities to address water and sanitation issues. Instead of a blanket eviction approach, states and municipalities can meet their human rights obligations with respect to water and sanitation for vulnerable Roma settlements by working with community leaders to maximize community involvement with governments. 

1) Write a blueprint for the passage.

Adapted from the Health and Human Rights Journal article “Inconvenient Human Rights: Water and Sanitation in Sweden’s Informal Roma Settlements” by Martha F. Davis and Natasha Ryan, 2017.

The Romani, or Roma, people, an itinerant Indo-Aryan ethnic group that now lives in countries across Europe, have been treated with derision throughout history. Consistently, governments across Europe have not recognized the group either as citizens or protected their basic human rights. Following an increase in Roma migration under the European “freedom of movement” laws between 2013 and 2016, Swedish municipalities initiated more than 80 evictions of informal Roma settlements on the grounds of poor sanitation. These evictions echo policies from earlier in the 20th century, when Roma living in Sweden were often marginalized through the denial of access to water and sanitation facilities. However, access to water and sanitation—central aspects of human health—are universal human rights that must be available to all people present in a jurisdiction, regardless of their legal status. The evictions described here violated Sweden’s obligations under both European and international human rights law. More positive government responses are required, such as providing shelters or camping sites, setting up temporary facilities, and directly engaging with communities to address water and sanitation issues. Instead of a blanket eviction approach, states and municipalities can meet their human rights obligations with respect to water and sanitation for vulnerable Roma settlements by working with community leaders to maximize community involvement with governments. 

2) The word “echo” in the passage (bolded) most nearly means

Adapted from the Health and Human Rights Journal article “Inconvenient Human Rights: Water and Sanitation in Sweden’s Informal Roma Settlements” by Martha F. Davis and Natasha Ryan, 2017.

The Romani, or Roma, people, an itinerant Indo-Aryan ethnic group that now lives in countries across Europe, have been treated with derision throughout history. Consistently, governments across Europe have not recognized the group either as citizens or protected their basic human rights. Following an increase in Roma migration under the European “freedom of movement” laws between 2013 and 2016, Swedish municipalities initiated more than 80 evictions of informal Roma settlements on the grounds of poor sanitation. These evictions echo policies from earlier in the 20th century, when Roma living in Sweden were often marginalized through the denial of access to water and sanitation facilities. However, access to water and sanitation—central aspects of human health—are universal human rights that must be available to all people present in a jurisdiction, regardless of their legal status. The evictions described here violated Sweden’s obligations under both European and international human rights law. More positive government responses are required, such as providing shelters or camping sites, setting up temporary facilities, and directly engaging with communities to address water and sanitation issues. Instead of a blanket eviction approach, states and municipalities can meet their human rights obligations with respect to water and sanitation for vulnerable Roma settlements by working with community leaders to maximize community involvement with governments. 

3) The author of this passage would most likely protest which of the following statements?