Entrenching the Right to Participate in Government in Kenya's Constitutional Order: Some Viable Lessons from the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights

2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-58
Author(s):  
Morris Kiwinda Mbondenyi

AbstractA practice of frequent constitutional amendments started shortly after Kenya attained her independence in 1963. Consequently, the country has witnessed a confusion of systems of governance, ranging from single-party autocracy to virtual multi-party democracy, which have served to endorse the chronic condition of human rights violations in the country. In the process of such experimentation, Kenyans have unabatedly been denied the enjoyment of many of their fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to participate in their government. This article analyses Kenya's constitutional order with the intention of highlighting the extent to which the country's citizens have been denied the right to participate in their government. Drawing inspiration from the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the article recommends ways in which this right could be entrenched in the country's constitutional order.

2022 ◽  
pp. 124-147
Author(s):  
Maral Törenli Çakıroğlu

The COVID-19 virus, which first appeared in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and spread quickly to the whole world in a few months, was defined as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 12 March 2020. This process has inevitably brought along problems in many areas, including health, education, social, economics, law, psychology, politics, and international relations. The pandemic era is a period when we appreciate more than ever how valuable our fundamental rights and freedoms are. Of these rights, the right to health and patient rights are significantly adversely impacted. This chapter will evaluate human rights, especially patient rights, mostly affected during this pandemic period in Turkey. This chapter further presents that other states are also continuing to experience effects of the pandemic. Both Turkey and other states must be prepared for the patients to properly benefit from the healthcare system in future outbreaks and pandemics. Otherwise, human and patient rights will continue to suffer.


2000 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 360-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Butler

The right of individuals to have recourse to international human rights bodies has been regarded as one of the most significant developments in securing respect for and the promotion of universal fundamental rights and freedoms.1 First, it ensures that individuals subjected to human rights violations have an alternative forum should the domestic judicial forums not be persuaded of the existence of rights violations, for whatever reason. Secondly, the availability of an individual's right of recourse affirms the fact that the individual is an actor cognisable by international law, and is not dependent on the intervention of other States for the safeguarding of his or her rights.2 This is particularly important, as many States are slow to engage complaint mechanisms against another State for fear of reprisal (be it in the form of economic or political sanctions, or the instigation of a complaint under the same mechanism by the other state), lack of interest, or otherwise.3 Thirdly, the existence of such fora, and the right of individual complaint from a variety of countries, are useful in developing a common universal standard of human rights observance.4 The combined result of these is that implementation of the goals set out in the international human rights instruments is facilitated because the means for their enforcement are not dependent upon international politics but rather are put in the hands of the rights holders. In turn, such machinery should improve State compliance.5


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-264
Author(s):  
M. Syafi'ie

This paper elaborates the view of Islamic organizations in Indonesia about the application of Islamic criminal law in the form of cutting off hands, stoning, and whipping, and examining them based on human rights law. The Islamic Organizations whose views are explored here are Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI), and Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT). This article concludes, first, there are two different views of the Islamic Organization studied: one sees its application as a necessity or mandatory, and the other views it as the state responsibility that needs to consider the social interests according to its context. Of the four Islamic organizations studied, the first view was reflected in MMI and JAT, and the second view was on NU and Muhammadiyah. Second, the law of cutting off hands, stoning, and whipping, which for some Islamic organizations is seen as the right to practice worship and belief, cannot be justified by human rights norms. Although the rights to religion and belief are rights that are categorized as non derogable right, the implementation and application of religious teachings is actually categorized as derogable rights. Therefore, for reasons of protection of public security, public order, public health, morals, and fundamental rights and freedoms of others, the application of religious teachings, in this case the punishment for cutting off hands, stoning, and whipping, can be limited. Abstrak Artikel ini menguraikan pandangan atau pemikiran organisasi Islam di Indonesia tentang penerapan hukum pidana Islam berupa hukuman potong tangan, rajam, dan cambuk, dan menelaahnya berdasarkan hukum hak asasi manusia. Organisasi Islam yang digali pandangannya di sini adalah Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia (MMI), dan Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT). Artikel ini menyimpulkan, pertama, ada dua pandangan berbeda dari Organisasi Islam yang diteliti: yang satu memandang pemberlakuannya sebagai keharusan atau wajib, dan yang satu lagi memandangnya sebagai tanggungjawab negara yang perlu mempertimbangkan kepentingan sosial masyarakat sesuai konteksnya. Dari empat Organisasi Islam yang diteliti, pandangan pertama tercermin pada sikap MMI dan JAT, dan pandangan kedua pada NU dan Muhammadiyah. Kedua, hukum potong tangan, rajam, dan cambuk, yang bagi sebagian organisasi Islam dilihat sebagai hak untuk menjalankan ibadah dan keyakinan, tidak dapat dibenarkan oleh norma hak asasi manusia. Sekalipun hak beragama dan berkeyakinan merupakan hak yang terkatagori non derogable right, implementasi dan penerapan ajaran agama sesungguhnya terkatagori derogable rights. Karena itu, dengan alasan perlindungan keamanan publik, ketertiban publik, kesehatan publik, moral, serta hak dan kebebasan fundamental orang lain, maka implementasi ajaran agama, dalam hal ini hukuman potong tangan, rajam, dan cambuk, menjadi bisa dibatasi.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (29) ◽  
pp. 6-14
Author(s):  
Viacheslav Viktorovich Shamrai ◽  
Yuliia Yuriivna Ivchuk ◽  
Vladislav Yegorovich Tarasenko ◽  
Hlib Omelianovych Fedorov

The purpose of the article is to identify and analyze topical issues of the application of the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (hereinafter - ECtHR) in the context of the implementation of the current criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine. To achieve this purpose, the authors have studied the scientific positions of the lawyers, the relevant provisions of the current legislation of Ukraine, the requirements of international legal acts and the case-law of the ECtHR. The general provisions of the criminal process science were methodological basis of the study. The authors of the article used the following methods of scientific knowledge: systematic, logical, semantic, comparative and documentary analysis. The place of the case-law of the ECtHR in the system of national legislation has been clarified, in particular the decisions of this Court are binding throughout Ukraine, and national courts have to apply the case-law of the ECtHR as a source of law. It is argued that the right of Ukrainian communities to seek the protection of their rights and freedoms under the 1950 Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (hereinafter - ECHR) is an additional guarantee against arbitrariness of the public authorities and officials who violated or restricted them. It was stated that even after implementation of the universally recognized norms and principles of international law in the sphere of protection of human rights and freedoms into current criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine, the facts of their violation occur. This, in turn, leads to the adoption of the ECtHR decisions against Ukraine, in which 90% of cases state violations of fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the ECHR.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ebad Rouhi ◽  
Leila Raisi Dezaki ◽  
Mahmoud Jalali Karveh

Punishing the criminals is one of the criminal justice mechanisms to compensation and reparation for victims and society. In this regards some of the punishments are determined by criminal justice systems in every society. Imprisonment is one of these penalties which specified in this regard and through this punishment the convicted persons are detained in prison. However, the guilty is sentenced to prison and restriction of his or her liberties, but she or he has fundamental rights and freedoms that must be protected even if in prison and has the right to how to be punished. All of these rights and freedoms are protected by the rule of law. This issue means that how to be punished is restricted under the definite principles which have to be exercised when the retribution and punishment is ongoing. This matter of criminal law and criminal justice is considered as right on how to be punished. The area of this right and authority of prison’s heads and its personnel is determined by law. In order to do that and protection of prisoner’s human rights and regulating manner with them and also for prison management, the rule of law provided a set of guidelines. According to these guidelines prison is managed in the legal framework as well as in this context the prisoner’s rights are protected effectively. These guidelines are provided in some of international legal instruments. This article investigates these guidelines and in respect of their human rights aspects which related to the environmental, educational, management, health care, personnel and humanistic dimensions of imprisonment these guidelines and instructions are studied and analyzed.


Author(s):  
Maya Hasan Malla Khater

The outbreak of the New Corona Epidemic has been leading governments around the world to adopt strategies to limit its spread and to counter it. Some of the measures taken have affected a number of fundamental rights and freedoms, which are guaranteed according to the international human rights law, and not just intended the right of life and the right of effective health care. In fact, many other rights were affected intentionally or unintentionally. This study seeks to highlight on states practices and responses related to fighting against the Corona Crisis, its impact on human rights in general, and the rights of the most vulnerable groups in particular, by using the descriptive and analytical method. One of the most important results of this research is that the protection of human rights while combating this Epidemic can't be considered as a secondary issue. It is necessary for these government measures to be consistent with the rules and provisions of the International Human Rights Law. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Vereno Brugiatelli

Man's ethical fulfilment often faces objective obstacles in the deprivation of rights. The negation of the recognition of certain fundamental rights, or worse, the radical misrecognition of man, which translates into different forms of violence, often artfully disguised both on an individual and collective level, produces devastating consequences in the private life of a person upsetting all forms of positive self-esteem. The recognition of human qualities, accompanied by the right to express and extend them, is an integral part of the ethical life of each individual and, at the same time, constitutes a fundamental moment in the construction of a responsible civilized community. In this dissertation, I aim to analyse the connection between ethical life and human rights in order to draw attention to the repercussions that the recognition and misrecognition of liberty produce with regard to man's ethical fulfilment. From this perspective, I intend to highlight the importance of the existence of favourable juridical and institutional conditions to ensure ethical fulfilment. At this level, I will underline that the deprivation of capabilities is often the main cause of the profound sense of discontent affecting individuals in their desperate attempt to realise a type of existence which corresponds to their ambitions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-62
Author(s):  
D. N. Parajuli

 Reproductive rights are fundamental rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health that vary amongst countries around the world, but have a commonality about the protection, preservation and promotion of a woman‘s reproductive health rights. Reproductive rights include the right to autonomy and self-determination , the right of everyone to make free and informed decisions and have full control over their body, sexuality, health, relationships, and if, when and with whom to partner, marry and have children , without any form of discrimination, stigma, coercion or violence. The access and availability of reproductive health services are limited due to geography and other issues, non-availability and refusal of reproductive health services may lead to serious consequences. The State need to ensure accessibility, availability, safe and quality reproductive health services and address the lifecycle needs of women and girls and provide access of every young women and girls to comprehensive sexuality education based on their evolving capacity as their human rights, through its inclusion and proper implementation in school curriculum, community-based awareness program and youth led mass media. It is necessary for strengthening compliance, in a time-bound manner, with international human rights standards that Nepal has ratified that protect, promote, and fulfill the basic human rights and reproductive health rights in Nepal and also need to review standards and conventions that Nepal has had reservations about or those that have been poorly implemented in the country.


2014 ◽  
pp. 33-48
Author(s):  
Przemysław Florjanowicz-Błachut

The core function of the judiciary is the administration of justice through delivering judgments and other decisions. The crucial role for its acceptance and legitimization by not only lawyers, but also individulas (parties) and the hole society plays judicial reasoning. It should reflect on judge’s independence within the exercise of his office and show also judicial self-restraint or activism. The axiology and the standards of proper judicial reasoning are anchored both in constitutional and supranational law and case-law. Polish Constitutional Tribunal derives a duty to give reasoning from the right to a fair trial – right to be heard and bring own submissions before the court (Article 45 § 1 of the Constitution), the right to appeal against judgments and decisions made at first stage (Article 78), the rule of two stages of the court proceedings (Article 176) and rule of law clause (Article 2), that comprises inter alia right to due process of law and the rule of legitimate expactation / the protection of trust (Vertrauensschutz). European Court of Human Rights derives this duty to give reasons from the guarantees of the right to a fair trial enshrined in Article 6 § 1 of European Convention of Human Rights. In its case-law the ECtHR, taking into account the margin of appreciation concept, formulated a number of positive and negative requirements, that should be met in case of proper reasoning. The obligation for courts to give sufficient reasons for their decisions is also anchored in European Union law. European Court of Justice derives this duty from the right to fair trial enshrined in Articles 6 and 13 of the ECHR and Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Standards of the courts reasoning developed by Polish constitutional court an the European courts (ECJ and ECtHR) are in fact convergent and coherent. National judges should take them into consideration in every case, to legitimize its outcome and enhance justice delivery.


Author(s):  
Sarah Song

Chapter 6 examines three rights-based arguments for freedom of movement across borders. Three rights-based arguments have been offered in support of freedom of international movement. The first claims that freedom of movement is a fundamental human right in itself. The second adopts a “cantilever” strategy, arguing that freedom of international movement is a logical extension of existing fundamental rights, including the right of domestic free movement and the right to exit one’s country. The third argument is libertarian: international free movement is necessary to respect individual freedom of association and contract. This chapter shows why these arguments fail to justify a general right to free movement across the globe. What is morally required is not a general right of international free movement but an approach that privileges those whose basic human rights are at stake.


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