Balancing of Values and the Value of Balancing (Part One)

2021 ◽  
pp. 13-24
Author(s):  
Gadis A. Gadzhiev ◽  
◽  
Elena A. Voinikanis ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Specific Mode ◽  
Constitutional Order ◽  
Basic Law ◽  
The Relationship

The article discusses the specific mode of existence of values – balancing or op­timization when it comes to deontological values. The authors using examples of values such as the principles of law and human rights, the rules of balancing are analyzed, which, according to G. Hart's classification, are secondary norms. The critical issue for the legal balancing procedure is the relationship between legal reality and values as such. Are the constitutional and legal values set by the Basic Law (Constitution), or do they objectively exist in society as a general (pre-constitutional) order of values? Should the Basic Law be confined to its own text and remain value-neutral in this sense? Are legal values purely deonto­logical, or can they be related to utilitarian goals and interests? The second part of the article explores the value of balancing as one of the methods for resolving the most complex legal conflicts. The well-known dispute between J. Habermas and R. Alexy about the admissibility of balancing of human rights demonstrates how complex and philosophically rich the legal balancing procedure is. Based on Luhmann’s concept of the cognitive openness of law, at the end of the article, the authors substantiate their own position on the role of values in modern justice.

A Constitution for a Nonstate

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-58
Author(s):  
Emilio Dabed
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
The Political ◽  
Constitutional Order ◽  
Economic Context ◽  
Basic Law ◽  
History Of ◽  
The One ◽  
Constitutional Regime ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Law Making

This article sheds new light on the political history of legal-constitutional developments in Palestine in the fourteen years following the Oslo Accord. It examines the relationship between the unfolding social, political, and economic context in which they arose, on the one hand, and PA law-making and legal praxis, on the other. Focusing on the evolution of the Palestinian Basic Law and constitutional regime, the author argues that the “Palestinian constitutional process” was a major “battlefield” for the actors of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Thus, changes in the actors' political strategies at various junctures were mirrored in legal-constitutional forms, specifically in the political structure of the PA. In that sense, the constitutional order can be understood as a sort of “metaphoric representation” of Palestinian politics, reflecting, among other things, the colonial nature of the Palestinian context that the Oslo process only rearticulated. This perspective is also essential for understanding the evolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after Oslo.

The gypsy’s lot: myth and reality

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jago
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
European Court ◽  
The Law ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter focuses on the lived experiences of gypsies (collectively referred to as gypsies rather than Roma or travellers). The author argues that the relationship between the legal system and the specific lifestyle of this group is itself causing many tensions which cannot be separated from the long-held myths about gypsies. Jago shows how the standing of gypsies in the UK legal system has, in turn, become the object of various myths. He demonstrates how judgements by the European Court of Human Rights in favour of gypsy claims created in many an image of the law being always on the side of the gypsy. A perception which Jago demonstrates is far from true. After addressing the nature and role of myths in general the author illustrates the tension between positive, romanticised myths about the freedom of gypsy lifestyle and three derogatory myths, namely gypsies as "child-snatchers", as thieves and as "land grabbers". Jago illustrates that these myths are linked to deep-rooted beliefs around property and its ownership.

Principles of National Constitutionalism limiting Individual Claims in Human Rights Law

ICL Journal ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul De Hert ◽  
Stefan Somers
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Church And State ◽  
Freedom Of Religion ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Religious Conflicts ◽  
European Court ◽  
Margin Of Appreciation ◽  
Human Rights Treaties ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe scope of the fundamental right to freedom of religion has been broadly dis­cussed in recent jurisprudence and doctrine. Doctrine has however paid little attention to the role of constitutionalism and its principles such as this of the separation of church and state and the division of power. These principles are often not mentioned as such in inter­national human rights treaties. Does this mean that they are irrelevant in human rights adjudication?This article addresses the proper function of constitutionalism in human rights jurisprudence and in settling religious conflicts more in general. The Lautsi judgment of the European Court of Human Rights is used as a trigger to look at the relationship between religion, constitutionalism and human rights, and at the legitimacy of supranational courts. The article argues that international human rights jurisprudence must take national consti­tutionalism and its principles into account when dealing with the freedom of religion, even when those principles are not explicitly enshrined in human rights treaties. For this the use of the margin of appreciation seems to be appropriate.

The Role of Necessity in International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
Current Article ◽  
The Relationship

The nature of armed conflict has changed dramatically in recent decades. In particular, it is increasingly the case that hostilities now occur alongside ‘everyday’ situations. This has led to a pressing need to determine when a ‘conduct of hostilities’ model (governed by international humanitarian law – IHL) applies and when a ‘law enforcement’ model (governed by international human rights law – IHRL) applies. This, in turn, raises the question of whether these two legal regimes are incompatible or whether they might be applied in parallel. It is on this question that the current article focuses, examining it at the level of principle. Whilst most accounts of the principles underlying these two areas of law focus on humanitarian considerations, few have compared the role played by necessity in each. This article seeks to address this omission. It demonstrates that considerations of necessity play a prominent role in both IHL and IHRL, albeit with differing consequences. It then applies this necessity-based analysis to suggest a principled basis for rationalising the relationship between IHL and IHRL, demonstrating how this approach would operate in practice. It is shown that, by emphasising the role of necessity in IHL and IHRL, an approach can be adopted that reconciles the two in a manner that is sympathetic to their object and purpose.

scholarly journals Politics and constitutional jurisgenesis: A cautionary note on political constitutionalism

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-111
Author(s):  
MING-SUNG KUO
Keyword(s):  
Popular Sovereignty ◽  
Constitutional Theory ◽  
Constitutional Politics ◽  
Constitutional Order ◽  
Law And Politics ◽  
The People ◽  
Robust Version ◽  
Judicial Supremacy ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract:This article aims to provide an alternative account of political constitutionalism by situating it in a broader process of constitutional politics than the traditional court vs parliament debate has suggested. Drawing upon Robert Cover’s distinction between the jurispathic and the jurisgenerative constitution, I argue that parliamentary decision-making is not necessarily more congenial to a jurisgenerative constitutional order than judicial review as political constitutionalists contend. I trace the jurispathic character of current scholarship on political constitutionalism to the presupposition of institutional sovereignty in a narrow understanding of constitutional politics, which its defenders share in common with the supporters of judicial supremacy. To move towards a robust version of non-court-centred jurisgenerative constitutionalism, which I call constitutional jurisgenesis, we need to rethink the place of politics in a constitutional order. From Cover’s idea of constitutionalnomosI take two further lessons for this new understanding of constitutional politics. First, constitutional theory should reconsider the role of institutional sovereignty in the relationship between law and politics in constitutional orders. Second, to engage the people in constitutional politics, we need to shift attention from the popular sovereignty-centred debate to constitutional narratives, which are oriented towardsnomos-building.

scholarly journals EDUCAÇÃO, DIREITOS HUMANOS E FORMAÇÃO DE PROFESSORES: reflexões e proposições

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Kilza Fernanda Moreira de Viveiros
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Teacher Training ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
The State ◽  
Derechos Humanos ◽  
Role Of The State ◽  
Political Principle ◽  
The Relationship

Artigo trata na construção de reflexões e proposições sobre a relação da educação, direitos humanos e formação de professores para atuarem na educação básica. Aborda a relação entre o poder político e a sociedade a partir da análise do Estado como instância promotora de direitos e pelos mecanismos que o mesmo se apodera para forjá-los na educação. Analisa o papel das reformas curriculares em conformidade às políticas dominantes. Discute a formação de professores e sua relação com a pobreza, com as desigualdades sociais e direitos humanos. Os fundamentos que norteiam as análises são do campo de conhecimento educacional e pedagógico. Para elucidações contextuais apropria-se de referencial sócio histórico, das políticas educacionais e políticas curriculares. Permite o diálogo com o objeto da formação e atuação de professores na área dos direitos humanos. Artigo se organiza metodologicamente em cinco tópicos a saber: Introdução, O Estado e a promoção de direitos, Currículo enquanto princípio político, Formação de professores para os direitos humanos e Considerações. Conclui ponderando a importância do papel do Estado na promoção dos direitos humanos a partir de políticas públicas comprometidas com a educação e com a formação de professores para o trabalho com os vulneráveis, as desigualdades sociais e os direitos humanos. Também chama a atenção da educação para os direitos humanos nos diferentes níveis e modalidades de ensino, expansiva à comunidade escolar.Palavras-chave: Educação. Direitos humanos. Formação de Professores. Estado. Currículo.EDUCATION, HUMAN RIGHTS AND TEACHER TRAINING: reflections and propositions.AbstractArticle deals in the construction of reflections and propositions on the relationship of education, human rights and teacher training to work in basic education. It addresses the relationship between political power and society based on the analysis of the State as a promoter of rights and the mechanisms it takes to forge them in education. It analyses the role of curricular reforms in line with dominant policies. It discusses teacher education and its relation to poverty, social inequalities and human rights. The foundations that guide the analyses are the field of educational and pedagogical knowledge. For contextual elucidations it appropriates the socio-historical reference, educational policies and curricular policies. It allows dialogue with the subject of the training and action of teachers in the area of human rights. Article is organized methodologically in five topics: Introduction, The State and the promotion of rights, Curriculum as a political principle, Training of teachers for human rights and Considerations. He concludes by considering the importance of the role of the State in the promotion of human rights from public policies committed to education and teacher training for working with the vulnerable, social inequalities and human rights. It also draws the attention of education for human rights in the different levels and modalities of education, expansive to the school community.Keywords: Education. Human rights. Teacher Training. State. Curriculum.EDUCACIÓN, DERECHOS HUMANOS Y FORMACIÓN DE PROFESSORES: reflexiones y proposicionesResumenArtículo trata en la construcción de reflexiones y proposiciones sobre la relación de la educación, derechos humanos y formación del professora do para actuar en la educación básica. Aborda la relación entre el poder político y la sociedad a partir del análisis del Estado como instancia promotora de derechos y por los mecanismos que el mismo se apodera para forjarlos en la educación. Analiza el papel de las reformas curriculares en consonancia con las políticas dominantes. Discute la formación de profesores y su relación con la pobreza, con las desigualdades sociales y derechos humanos. Los fundamentos que guían los análisis son del campo de conocimiento educativo y pedagógico. Para aclaraciones contextuales se apropia de un marco socio histórico, políticas educativas y políticas curriculares. Permite el diálogo con el objeto de formar y actuar a los docentes en el área de derechos humanos. El artículo se organiza metodológicamente en cinco temas, a saber: Introducción, El Estado y la promoción de los derechos, El currículo como principio político, La formación del profesorado en derechos humanos y Consideraciones. Se concluye considerando la importancia del papel del Estado en la promoción de los derechos humanos a partir de políticas públicas comprometidas con la educación y la formación de docentes para trabajar con las personas vulnerables, las desigualdades sociales y los derechos humanos. También llama la atención de la educación en materia de derechos humanos en los diferentes niveles y modalidades de educación, expandiéndose a la comunidad escolar.Palabras clave: Educación. Derechos humanos. Formación del profesorado. Estado. Plan de estudios.

scholarly journals Licensed to kill: The United Kingdom's arms export licensing process

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Stavrianakis
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Export Control ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Regional Stability ◽  
Export Policy ◽  
Arms Trade ◽  
Arms Export ◽  
The Relationship

The article addresses the U.K. government's arms export licensing process to try to account for the discrepancy between its rhetoric of responsibility and practice of ongoing controversial exports. It describes the government's licensing process and demonstrate how this process fails to prevent exports to states engaged in internal repression, human rights violations, or regional stability. It then sets out six reasons for this failure: The vague wording of arms export guidelines; the framing of arms export policy; the limited use (from a control perspective) of a case-by-case approach; the weak role of pro-control departments within government; pre-licensing mechanisms that facilitate exports and a lack of prior parliamentary scrutiny, which means the government's policy can only be examined retrospectively; and the wider context of the relationship between arms companies and the U.K. state. It is concluded that the government's export control guidelines do not restrict the arms trade in any meaningful way but, rather, serve predominantly a legitimating function.

scholarly journals Can positive obligations of States serve as a remedy for human rights violations committed by juristic persons?

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-60
Author(s):  
Pavel Ondrejek
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Major Change ◽  
Case Law ◽  
The State ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Legal Doctrine ◽  
Role Of The State ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract: Positive obligations of States to protect and implement human rights are considered a part of various effects of human rights in legislations. In this article, it is argued that a crucial problem arises from the inconsistent practice of addressing violations of human rights committed by juristic persons together with a lack of underlying general theory of liability for human rights violations committed by private entities. Without a major change in the legal doctrine and case-law, we will need to remain focused on the role of the State as a guarantor of human rights, rather than on the imposition of human rights obligations on private-law entities. In this article, it is argued that the nature of the relationship between a juristic person and the State is not the only relevant aspect, as we should also examine the activity of the juristic person in question.Keywords: Positive obligations of States. Juristic persons. State-juristic person nexus. Fundamental rights. Horizontal effect.Resumo: Obrigações estatais positivas de proteger e de implementar direitos humanos são parte dos vários efeitos dos direitos humanos nas legislações nacionais. Neste artigo, argumenta-se que um problema crucial decorre da prática de abordar violações de direitos humanos cometidas por pessoas jurídicas sem uma teoria geral da responsabilidade por violações de direitos humanos cometidas por entidades privadas. Sem uma mudança importante na doutrina e na jurisprudência será preciso permanecer olhando apenas para o papel do Estado como garantidor de direitos humanos. Neste artigo argumenta-se que a natureza da relação entre uma pessoa jurídica e o Estado não é o único aspecto relevante. É preciso examinar também a atividade da pessoa jurídica em questão.Palavras-chave: Obrigações positivas dos Estados. Pessoas jurídicas.

Group Identities and Human Rights: How Do We Square the Circle in International Law?

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 94-106
Author(s):  
Gaetano Pentassuglia
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Human Rights Practice ◽  
Group Identities ◽  
Rights Discourse ◽  
Group Diversity ◽  
Human Rights Discourse ◽  
The Relationship

The identity of groups of an ethno-cultural variety has long fallen within the remit of internati­onal human rights law. In this context, discussions have been largely concerned with the legal status of groups and/or the nature of the legal right(s) in question. While acknowledging the importance of these dimensions, in this article I seek to provide an alternative account by dis­cussing the continuities and discontinuities in articulating the very concept of group identity. I first examine the potential, limitations and eventual hybridity of human rights practice across the spectrum of minority/indigenous identities. Then, I critique a range of instabilities in human rights discourse relating to the idea of group identities, their personal scope and the role of international law. I argue that such instabilities do not merely mirror the ambivalent outlook of the relationship between human rights and group identities; they raise the broader question of whether there is a relatively more coherent way to capture the legitimacy of group claims. I conclude by pointing to the outer limits of identity claims, the understated interplay of sove­reignty and inter-group diversity, and the need to unpack the reasons why certain groups merit protection in the way they do.

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