Engaging with Armed Groups: A Human Rights Field Perspective from Nepal

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 601-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick Rawski
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Administrative Law ◽  
Soft Law ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
International Human Rights ◽  
International Human ◽  
State Actors ◽  
Field Perspective

AbstractTheoretical uncertainty surrounding whether and to what extent non-state actors are obligated to abide by international human rights and humanitarian norms has impacted the policies and practices of human rights field presences, including those of the United Nations. The paper presents the case of Nepal, where international organizations have been forced by circumstance to engage with a range of non-state armed groups, to illustrate how current limitations of human rights law regarding non-state actors impact the work of human rights field monitors. Drawing upon the global administrative law paradigm, it argues for the development of a 'soft law' framework governing human rights aspects of international organizations' engagement with armed groups.

The Fallacy of Effective Human Rights Protection under Relevant Treaty Law when Armed Groups Commit Violations

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilman Rodenhäuser
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
International Human Rights ◽  
Human Rights Protection ◽  
Rights Protection ◽  
Human Rights Treaties ◽  
International Human

Chapter 5 adds to the contemporary discourse on human rights obligations of non-state armed groups by showing that in many situations, there is a clear legal need for these obligations. This chapter first engages in the debate on whether and to what extent certain human rights treaties address armed groups directly. Second, it shows that under the law of state responsibility, states are generally not responsible for human rights violations committed by non-state entities. Third, it recalls that under international human rights law, states have an obligation to protect human rights against violations committed by armed groups. However, it argues that because this cannot be a strict obligation but is one that depends on states’ capacities and the particular circumstances, often this framework cannot adequately protect individuals against human rights violations by armed groups. The result is a legal and practical need for human rights obligations of non-state armed groups.

Conflict, ‘terrorism’ and non-state actors

2020 ◽  
pp. 141-154
Author(s):  
Féilim Ó hAdhmaill ◽  
Mike Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Conflict Situation ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
International Human Rights ◽  
International Human ◽  
State Actors ◽  
Global Peace

International Human Rights Law is supposed to operate at all times. However, during war/conflict it is often suspended to address an ‘emergency’. International Humanitarian Law attempts to deal with human rights protections during the specific circumstances of war. However, what happens when states refuse to recognise a conflict situation as a ‘war’? In a world where violent conflict increasingly involves non-state actors, where does that leave existing international human rights’ mechanisms? This chapter looks at the changing forms of conflict globally and the development of what has been termed ‘terrorism’. It critically assesses the concept of ‘terrorism’ and discusses the difficulties it poses for social science, universal human rights and the development of equality, stability and global peace.

International law and armed non-state actors in Afghanistan

2011 ◽  
Vol 93 (881) ◽  
pp. 47-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annyssa Bellal ◽  
Gilles Giacca ◽  
Stuart Casey-Maslen
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
Legal Responsibility ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
International Human Rights ◽  
International Human ◽  
State Actors ◽  
Peremptory Norms

AbstractAn effective legal regime governing the actions of armed non-state actors in Afghanistan should encompass not only international humanitarian law but also international human rights law. While the applicability of Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions to the conflict is not controversial, how and to what extent Additional Protocol II applies is more difficult to assess, in particular in relation to the various armed actors operating in the country. The applicability of international human rights law to armed non-state actors – considered by the authors as important, particularly in Afghanistan – remains highly controversial. Nevertheless, its applicability to such actors exercising control over a population is slowly becoming more accepted. In addition, violations of peremptory norms of international law can also directly engage the legal responsibility of such groups.

scholarly journals The Principle of Self-Determination in the Context of Human Rights

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 25-36
Author(s):  
Tadeusz Gadkowski
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Soft Law ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
International Human Rights ◽  
Fundamental Freedoms ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Protection Of Human Rights ◽  
International Human

The essay presents the issue of the principle of self-determination from the perspective of international human rights law. The author highlights the close relationship between the principle of self-determination and the principle of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. In practice, the principle of self-determination is a prerequisite for the effective guarantee of human rights, and, at the same time, guaranteed protection of human rights is a prerequisite for implementing the principle of national self determination. The author presents the issue of self-determination in the context of the basic regulations of international human rights law, considering regulations of both a ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ law character.

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