scholarly journals What Works in Human Rights Institutions?

2017 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 628-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Linos ◽  
Tom Pegram
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
What Works ◽  
Complaint Handling ◽  
National Human ◽  
National Human Rights Institutions ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

AbstractSince 1993, the United Nations has promoted national human rights institutions (NHRIs); these have spread to almost 120 countries. We assess what makes NHRIs effective, using quantitative and qualitative methods. We find that formal institutional safeguards contribute greatly to NHRI efficacy even in authoritarian and transition regimes. Complaint-handling mandates are particularly useful because they help NHRIs build broad bases of support. Our findings show how international organizations can wield great influence with soft tools such as recommendations and peer-review mechanisms.

scholarly journals The promotion of international cooperation in the activities of the high commissioner for human rights in the Russian Federation

2021 ◽  
pp. 85-95
Author(s):  
O. K. Goncharenko ◽  
A. O. Akhmetzyanov
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Council Of Europe ◽  
National Human ◽  
High Commissioner ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
National Human Rights Institutions

The article addresses issues related to the development of international cooperation as one of the key areas of activity of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation. The special features regulating the activities of the High Commissioner, including the novelty in the national legislation and international standards in this area have been presented. Special attention has been given to the directions and forms of cooperation of the High Commissioner with national human rights institutions of foreign states, universal and regional international organizations, integration associations of ombudsmen. Examples of the interaction of the High Commissioner with the United Nations and the Council of Europe at the present stage have been provided. The efforts of the High Commissioner to protect the rights of the Russian citizens and compatriots living abroad have been highlighted. The article presents the development and strengthening of such concept as “human rights diplomacy”. The aspects of the establishment and promotion of the Eurasian Ombudsman Alliance have been reflected.In conclusion, the authors make recommendations on the extension of the competence of the High Commissioner.

Dealing with Individual Cases: An Essential Role for National Human Rights Institutions for Children?

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osian Rees
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Children's Rights ◽  
Children’S Rights ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
National Human ◽  
Essential Function ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
National Human Rights Institutions

AbstractThis article considers whether or not dealing with individual cases by means of an advocacy or investigatory function should be regarded as an essential function for national human rights institutions for children. Based on an analysis of international expectations, particularly the view of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, and the views and experiences of various institutions in practice, it is argued that the function is essential, due to its importance in addressing individual violations of children's rights, and its potential for bringing about systemic changes. Consideration is also given to the question of whether institutions should have quasi-judicial competence.

Making Human Rights a Reality

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilie M. Hafner-Burton
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
World Population ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Legal Norms ◽  
Human Rights Protection ◽  
National Human ◽  
The World ◽  
Protection Of Human Rights ◽  
National Human Rights Institutions

In the last six decades, one of the most striking developments in international law is the emergence of a massive body of legal norms and procedures aimed at protecting human rights. In many countries, though, there is little relationship between international law and the actual protection of human rights on the ground. This book takes a fresh look at why it's been so hard for international law to have much impact in parts of the world where human rights are most at risk. The book argues that more progress is possible if human rights promoters work strategically with the group of states that have dedicated resources to human rights protection. These human rights “stewards” can focus their resources on places where the tangible benefits to human rights are greatest. Success will require setting priorities as well as engaging local stakeholders such as nongovernmental organizations and national human rights institutions. To date, promoters of international human rights law have relied too heavily on setting universal goals and procedures and not enough on assessing what actually works and setting priorities. This book illustrates how, with a different strategy, human rights stewards can make international law more effective and also safeguard human rights for more of the world population.

National Human Rights Institutions and Sustainable Development with Specific Reference to Selected African Examples

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Mubangizi
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
National Human ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
National Human Rights Institutions

That National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) play an important role in the protection and promotion of human rights is a well-known fact. This has been widely acknowledged by the United Nations (UN). Also well-known is the fact that several African countries have enacted new constitutions during the last two to three decades. One of the most salient features of those new constitutions is that they establish NHRIs, among other things. Given their unique role and mandate, these NHRIs can and do play an important role in the realisation of the sustainable development goals contained in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Adopting a case study approach, this article explores the role NHRIs have played in the promotion and protection of human rights in selected African countries and implications for sustainable development in those countries. The main argument is that there are several lessons African countries can learn from each other on how their NHRIs can more meaningfully play that role. Accordingly, best practice and comparative lessons are identified and it is recommended that NHRIs can contribute to sustainable development more meaningfully if they can make themselves more relevant, credible, legitimate, efficient and effective.

Domestic politics and the power to punish: The case of national human rights institutions

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Welch
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Domestic Politics ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Domestic Institutions ◽  
Electoral Institutions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Legal Punishment ◽  
International Pressure ◽  
National Human ◽  
National Human Rights Institutions

Why do states give institutions the ability to legally punish them? While past research focuses on international pressure to delegate authority to third parties, I argue that domestic politics plays a key role. By viewing domestic politics through a principal–agent framework, I argue that the more accountable individual legislators remain to the public, the more likely it is that the legislature will delegate legal punishment authority. I focus on National Human Rights Institutions—domestic institutions tasked with protection and promotion of human rights—to build the argument. Electoral institutions that decrease monitoring of legislator agents, or institutional makeup that allows the executive to displace the public as the principal lead to National Human Rights Institutions without punishment power. Using Bayesian logistic analyses I test four hypotheses, all of which are in agreement with the argument.

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