scholarly journals "Is Water a Human Right?": Priming Water as a Human Right Increases Support for Government Action

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine B. Starzyk ◽  
Katelin H. S. Neufeld ◽  
Danielle Gaucher ◽  
Jacquie D. Vorauer ◽  
Aleah S. M. Fontaine ◽  
...  

Many First Nations homes in Canada do not have adequate water services.  This issue is unlikely to be resolved without public pressure on the government.  Thus, we investigated one strategy to increase non-Indigenous Canadians’ support for government action: framing water as a human right.  Informed by a partnership with Indigenous community members and multidisciplinary collaborators, we conducted seven experiments that sampled non-Indigenous Canadian community members (N = 584) and university undergraduates (N = 274).  Overall, framing water as a human right increased public support, relative to control conditions.  Further, the human rights frame indirectly increased support for government action through increases in perceived suffering (physical and financial) and empathy.  We discuss policy implications and end with a call for action.   

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Porsche Makama

The incidence of deaths associated with the practice of forced and botched circumcisions at initiation schools has become a topical issue in South Africa. In recent times, the number of deaths and injuries among initiates has risen at an alarming rate, most of them occurring at illegal initiation schools. The continuous rise in the number of injuries among initiates at these schools has elicited mixed reactions among community members, some referring to it as genocide in the case of fatalities and calling for its abandonment, while others argue that this traditional practice should be allowed to continue. The majority of young men who go to initiation schools do not make the decision on their own, nor do they have a choice in the matter. Instead they are compelled by parents or guardians, influenced by friends, and also coerced by others in the community who insist that they have to ‘go to the mountain’, as initiation schools are generally referred to in South Africa. It has been argued by those against circumcision that this practice infringes constitutional rights and contravenes the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. There have been numerous instances where young and even mature males have been taken from the streets, or even from the comfort of their homes, and forced into circumcision camps with or without their consent. This begs the question whether the continued practice of a cultural tradition that violates the fundamental human right and freedom to choose religious and cultural beliefs is justifiable.


Author(s):  
Celso Maran de Oliveira

Access to potable water is absolutely essential to the maintenance of life, as well as to provide regular exercise of other human rights. The lack of access to water in sufficient quantity or access to non-potable water may cause serious and irreparable damage to people. This paper investigates the evolution of international and national recognition of this fundamental human right, whether implicit or explicit. This was accomplished by the study of international human rights treaties, bibliographic information on water resources and their corresponding legal systems, national and international. The results suggest that sustainable access to drinking water is a fundamental human right in the context of international relations and the State. Further, even without explicitly stating this right in the Constitution of 1988, Brazil has incorporated the main international provisions on the subject, but this right must be acknowledged according to the principles of non-typical fundamental rights and the dignity of the human person. This right should be universally guaranteed by the Government in sufficient quantity and quality, regardless of the economic resources of individuals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 643-653
Author(s):  
Timothy Hildebrandt ◽  
Leticia Bode ◽  
Jessica S. C. Ng

Abstract Introduction Under austerity, governments shift responsibilities for social welfare to individuals. Such responsibilization can be intertwined with pre-existing social stigmas, with sexually stigmatized individuals blamed more for health problems due to “irresponsible” sexual behavior. To understand how sexual stigma affects attitudes on government healthcare expenditures, we examine public support for government-provisioned PrEP in England at a time when media narratives cast the drug as an expensive benefit for a small, irresponsible social group and the National Health Service’s long-term sustainability was in doubt. Methods This paper uses data from an original survey (N = 738) conducted in September 2016, when public opinion should be most sensitive to sexual stigma. A survey experiment tests how the way beneficiaries of PrEP were described affected support for NHS provision of it. Contrary to expectations, we found that support was high (mean = 3.86 on a scale of 1 to 5) irrespective of language used or beneficiary group mentioned. Differences between conditions were negligible. Discussion Sexual stigma does not diminish support for government-funded PrEP, which may be due to reverence for the NHS; resistance to responsibilization generally; or just to HIV, with the public influenced by sympathy and counter-messaging. Social policy implications Having misjudged public attitudes, it may be difficult for the government to continue to justify not funding PrEP; the political rationale for contracting out its provision is unnecessary and flawed. With public opinion resilient to responsibilization narratives and sexual stigma even under austerity, welfare retrenchment may be more difficult than social policymakers presume.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Boyer

The health status of Aboriginal women in Canada is disparagingly low as compared to the non-Aboriginal population. The implementation of male centred legislation, policies, and institutions that are the hallmark of Canada’s colonial history have had a long-lasting impact on the health of Aboriginal women. Although Aboriginal women have unique sets of constitutionally protected rights, the government has failed to protect these rights.The purpose of this article is to present a constitutional and human rights-based approach to address constitutionally protected rights within the context of a distinctive Indigenous appreciation of social rights and of women’s substantive equality. This article is separated into three sections. First, using data from federal government and the Native Women’s Association of Canada statistics, the health status of Aboriginal women is examined. Many international instruments and agreements recognize a rights-based approach to health. Canada, as a signatory to a number of these agreements, has acknowledged its international obligations towards the health of Aboriginal people. Two of these agreements, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, provide the human rights standards that bind Canada with regard to all Canadians and are examined in the second section. The last section suggests that a constitutional equality rights framework may offer a promising basis for future right to health assertions by Aboriginal women. Through an analysis of both collective and individual rights of Aboriginal women to health, section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, it becomes apparent that Canada is in breach of its constitutional obligations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masykuri Abdillah

<p>Abstrak: Tulisan ini menjelaskan kompatibilitas Islam dan HAM serta upaya-upaya penegakan dan perlindungan HAM di Indonesia sebagai salah satu negara Muslim. Tulisan ini dengan demikian menolak anggapan sejumlah pengamat tentang ketidaksesuai- an atau pertentangan antara Islam dengan HAM, terutama karena sebagian besar negara-negara Muslim kini belum sepenuhnya melindungi dan menegakkan HAM. Sejak awal Islam telah mengakui perlindungan hak asasi manusia (HAM), yang kemudian dirumuskan oleh para ulama dengan konsepmaqâshid al-syarî‘ah (tujuan syari’ah). Sebagai salah satu negara Muslim, Indonesia di era Reformasi ini telah berkomitmen untuk melakukan perlindungan dan penegakan HAM sejalan dengan penerapan sistem demokrasi secara substantif. Hanya saja, kini masih ada sejumlah masalah atau kendala dalam perlindungan HAM ini, baik yang bersifat substantif, struktural maupun kultural. Pemerintah, DPR sertacivil society dan organisasi-organisasi keagamaan telah melakukan upaya-upaya untuk mengatasi persoalan dan kendala itu.</p><p><br />Abstract: Islam and Human Right: Its Application and Problems in Indonesia. This paper explains the compatibility of Islam and human rights as well as efforts to protect human rights in Indonesia as a Muslim country. This paper thus rejects the opinion of a number of observers about the incompatibility or conflict between Islam and human rights just because of the fact that the majority of Muslim countries does not fully protect and enforce human rights. Since the beginning, Islam has recognized the protection of human rights, which were then formulated by the ulama with the concept of maqâsid al-sharî‘ah (objectives of shari’ah). As a Muslim country, Indonesia in the Reform era has committed to the protection and enforcement of human rights in line with the implementation of substantive democracy. Yet there remain a number of problems or obstacles in the protection of human rights caused by several factors, be they substantive, structural or cultural. The government, parliament as well as civil society and religious organizations have conducted efforts to solve the problems and obstacles.</p><p><br />Kata Kunci: hak asasi manusia, Islam, tanggung jawab manusia, maqâsid al- sharî‘ah, kebebasan</p>


2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Blackstock

Many child welfare statutes protect children when caregivers jeopardise their safety and best interests, but what if the risk is sourced in government child welfare policy or practice? Instead of including provisions to hold governments accountable for placing children in harm's way, governments and their agents are largely protected against any systemic maltreatment claims made against them. This paper describes a precedent-setting case before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal attempting to hold the Canadian federal government accountable for its systemic failure to ensure that First Nations children are protected from maltreatment linked to inequitable federal child welfare funding on reserves. The case is a rare example using an independent judicial mechanism with the authority to make binding orders against the government and enveloping the proceedings in a public education and engagement movement. Implications of the case for child rights in Canada and abroad are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
Elwidarifa Marwenny ◽  
Engrina Fauzi ◽  
Jelisye Putri Cenery

One of the form of applying the value of democratic in Indonesia is accommodate by the regulation of community organization which is concretely regulated in the provisions of article 28 E Paragraph 3 of the 1945 constitution also in the provisions of law number 39 of 1999 on Human Rights. The existence of community organizations does have a great constribution in the implementation of the state, but on the other hand the existence of people raises the pro and contra. The enecment of government regulation number 59 on community organization established by foreign citizens makes the community more worried if the exixtance of community organizations affect the sovereignty of NKRI because they have different ideology with Indonesia. Based on this, it should be discussed about the organizations in Indonesia. The position of foreign social organizatios in Indonesia is reviwed from the government regulation number 59 of 2016 on community organizations established by foreign citizens and the influence of basic organizations for the sovereignty of NKRI. To answer that question, qualitative method is used  as a means to answer the problem by conducting of normative juridical approach which is done by reviewing the law and the literature. Based on this study, it is concluded that the existence of foreign social organizatios in Indonesia in line with  democracy and human right but also politically can treaten NKRI.


Yuridika ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 241
Author(s):  
Ervin Setiawan

Intellectual Property Consultants appointed by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights is an office that has a limited authority to carry out their duties; The appointment of IPR consultant are intended to assist Ministry of Law and Human Rights in resolving the matter on IPR registration. Due to the reason that IPR is the scope of Ministry of Law and Human Rights authority, the one which has the authority to appoint someone as IPR Consultant is also Ministry of Law and Human Right. Appointment of IPR Consultant should be specially granted for Law School Graduate due to the reason that Consultant shall understand and able to execute the procedure of authority and regulation that limits its authority in running Consultant position. In carrying out its duties, IPR Consultant will be closely related to legal action and must strictly comply with the Law and assume responsibility given by the client. The duties and responsibilities attached to IPR Consultant have a legal consequence. In conducting its duties, IPR Consultant shall be able to read and implement the regulation enforced by the government.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Linda Evirianti

Everyone has the right of religious freedom or belief which becomes one of important parts of Human Rights (HAM/Hak Asasi Manusia). Thus, no one can be subjected to coercion that can interfere his freedom to adopt or embrace a religion or belief of his choice. The main characteristic of modern constitutional state is the guarantee of human rights in its constitution. In the Constitution NKRI 1945 has set human rights and the rights of citizens in the form of guarantees freedom for each citizen to embrace religion and worship according to their religion or belief. A state guarantees the freedom of each citizen to adopt a religion or belief, but the state (the government) must regulate the freedom in implementing and practicing a religion or belief so that the government can respect, protect, enforce and promote Human Right (HAM) and conserving security, order, health or public morals. Speaking of human rights in Islam is not an historical product arising from human ideology, a concept that has a theological dimension and will be accountable to God. Freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is part of the most important human rights, even have status as a right that should not be reduced and violated under any circumstances. On the other hand, religious freedom protects the phenomenon that can be controversial and dangerous for human existence, because religion and systems of ideological belief can be misused to trigger intolerance, discrimination, prejudice, hatred, and violence.[Setiap orang berhak atas kebebasan beragama atau kepercayaan yang menjadi salah satu bagian penting Hak Asasi Manusia. Dengan demikian, tidak ada yang bisa terkena paksaan yang bisa mengganggu kebebasannya untuk mengadopsi atau menganut agama atau kepercayaan pilihannya. Karakteristik utama negara konstitusional modern adalah jaminan hak asasi manusia dalam konstitusinya. Dalam Konstitusi NKRI 1945 telah menetapkan hak asasi manusia dan hak warga negara dalam bentuk jaminan kebebasan bagi setiap warga negara untuk merangkul agama dan ibadah sesuai agama atau kepercayaan mereka. Sebuah negara menjamin kebebasan setiap warga negara untuk mengadopsi agama atau kepercayaan, namun negara (pemerintah) harus mengatur kebebasan dalam melaksanakan dan mempraktikkan agama atau kepercayaan sehingga pemerintah dapat menghormati, melindungi, menerapkan dan mempromosikan Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM). Dan melestarikan keamanan, ketertiban, kesehatan atau moral publik. Berbicara tentang hak asasi manusia dalam Islam bukanlah produk historis yang muncul dari ideologi manusia, sebuah konsep yang memiliki dimensi teologis dan akan bertanggung jawab kepada Tuhan. Kebebasan berpikir, hati nurani, agama dan kepercayaan adalah bagian dari hak asasi manusia yang paling penting, bahkan memiliki status sebagai hak yang tidak boleh dikurangi dan dilanggar dalam kondisi apapun. Di sisi lain, kebebasan beragama melindungi fenomena yang bisa kontroversial dan berbahaya bagi eksistensi manusia, karena agama dan sistem kepercayaan ideologis dapat disalahgunakan untuk memicu intoleransi, diskriminasi, prasangka, kebencian, dan kekerasan.]


2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Woogara

The European Convention on Human Rights has been incorporated into UK domestic law. It gives many rights to patients within the National Health Service (NHS). This article explores the concept of patients’ right to privacy. It stresses that privacy is a basic human right, and that its respect by health professionals is vital for a patient’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. I argue that health professionals can violate patients’ privacy in a variety of ways. For example: the right to enjoy their property; the right to protect their medical and personal information as confidential; the right to expect treatment with dignity during intimate care; and the right to control their personal space and territory. Some preliminary evidence indicates that many health care practitioners, including nurses, are presently unaware of the articles of the Convention and the implications of the Human Rights Act 1998. In order to prevent litigation for breaches of patients’ privacy, it is advocated that universities and other educational institutions, the Government and NHS trusts should help to produce a clear educational strategy and protocols so that students and practitioners are well informed in this field. Although 41 European countries are presently the signatories of the European Convention on Human Rights, including the UK, it is important to stress that the principles discussed in this article are applicable world-wide.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document