scholarly journals FREEDOM OF SPEECH UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW: MYANMAR'S ANTI-COUP DEMONSTRATION VIOLENCE CASE

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Yordan Gunawan ◽  
Muhammad Nur Rifqi Amirullah ◽  
Vensky Ghaniiyyu Putri Permana ◽  
Mohammad Hazyar Arumbinang
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
Freedom Of Speech ◽  
Political Rights ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The People ◽  
Aung San Suu Kyi ◽  
Election Results ◽  
Victims Of Violence ◽  
The Military

The paper aims to examine the position of international law against violence committed by the Myanmar military known as Tatmadaw, against Myanmar which held anti-coup demonstrations in Myanmar. The research used the normative legal research method, with the main source of data collection of legal material containing normative law. The results showed that Myanmar is one of the countries in Southeast Asia whose government has been dominated by the military. In early 2021, the Tatmadaw staged a coup against Myanmar's President Aung San Suu Kyi. The tragedy began in the 2020 elections, in which the National Democratic League (NLD) was elected as the majority to sit in Myanmar's parliament. However, Tatmadaw could have no election results and no coup. Burmese, who did not support a coup by Myanmar's military, made a massive dip in the streets. Tatmadaw performs violent acts for action until 2019. However, from the direction of the protesters, some protesters became victims of violence by the Tatmadaw. It reflects the restrictions on the freedom of speech of the People of Myanmar. Free speech is an important right of the People of Myanmar to be part of the good Human Rights face-to-face by international law through arbitrary ministers by the Tatmadaw. The Tatmadaw's acts of violence against Myanmar violate human rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in articles 19 and 29. In addition, freedom of speech is also governed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in article 19.

Freedom of Speech in International Law

2021 ◽  
pp. 192-212
Author(s):  
Michael Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
Freedom Of Speech ◽  
Political Rights ◽  
Civil And Political Rights ◽  
The Right ◽  
Domestic Law

This chapter traces the broad contours of the right to freedom of speech as it has evolved in international law, principally under Article 19(2) of the 1996 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR or ‘the Covenant’). Any speech protective principles deriving from the international jurisprudence are qualified by the following factors: the contextual contingency of the value of speech, the inherently limited reach of international scrutiny, the changing nature of the marketplace, and emerging forms of censorship. The chapter then outlines the key human rights treaty protections for freedom of speech, before further exploring the scope of the right. It examines the permissible grounds for speech restriction, highlighting two contested categories of speech—namely, incitement to hatred and glorification of terrorism—where international law not only concedes the low value of such speech, but specifically mandates its prohibition in domestic law. States that introduce broadly framed speech restrictions may claim to be acting in satisfaction of this prohibitory requirement. In consequence, the intensity of any ensuing international scrutiny will inevitably be substantially reduced.

ACCIDENT AND DESIGN: RECOGNISING VICTIMS OF AGGRESSION IN INTERNATIONAL LAW

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-132
Author(s):  
Shane Darcy
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
United Nations ◽  
International Law ◽  
International Criminal Court ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Political Rights ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Civil And Political Rights

AbstractInternational law has not traditionally recognised individuals as victims of the crime of aggression. Recent developments may precipitate a departure from this approach. The activation of the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over the crime of aggression opens the way for the future application of the Court's regime of victim participation and reparation in the context of prosecutions for this crime. The determination by the United Nations Human Rights Committee in General Comment No. 36 that any deprivation of life resulting from an act of aggression violates Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights serves to recognise a previously overlooked class of victims. This article explores these recent developments, by discussing their background, meaning and implications for international law and the rights of victims.

scholarly journals The Rule of Law and National Security in Nigerian Democracy: A Contemporary Issue under the Aegis of International Law

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-168
Author(s):  
Isaac O. C. Igwe
Keyword(s):  
National Security ◽  
International Law ◽  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Freedom Of Speech ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
It Impacts ◽  
Contemporary Issue ◽  
The People ◽  
The Government

Although brutality can repress a society, it never assures the sustainability of that conquest. Tyranny steers the hopeless to despair, edges to rebellion, and could open the door for a new tyrant to rise. Law becomes a limiting factor that must act as a stopgap to the avaricious intentions of a dictator. A democratic leader must incorporate the supremacy of the law and honest officials into his government. He shall also create courts of law, treat the poorest citizens with fairness and build a hall of justice to bring the society to modernity with the operation of the rule of law enshrined in the constitution. Legislation is nothing without enforcement and Law is no law if not accepted and respected by the people. The rule of law cannot be said to be working in a country where the government continues to violate the orders of the court, unlawfully detain its citizens, abuse human rights including arbitrary and extra-judicial executions, unlawful arrests and detentions, embargo on freedom of speech and press, impunity and inhumane torture, degradation of people or exterminations. This treatise will argue on the supremacy of the “Rule of Law” as it impacts Nigerian democracy. Keywords: Rule of Law; Democracy; Judiciary; Supremacy; Government; Tyranny; Nigerian Constitution

Ioane Teitiota v New Zealand (advance unedited version), CCPR/C/127/D/2728/2016, UN Human Rights Committee (HRC), 7 January 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-271
Author(s):  
Chhaya Bhardwaj
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Political Rights ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
The People ◽  
Human Rights Treaties ◽  
The Status ◽  
Imminent Threat ◽  
Threat To Life

A 2019 decision by the Human Rights Committee concerning the status of Teitiota and his family as “climate change refugee” in New Zealand has become a hotspot for discussion concerning application of the principle of non-refoulement under human rights treaties. The decision concludes that there may be circumstances where the principle of non-refoulement under human rights treaties may apply to people fleeing climate change in their country of origin, if the people are able to provide evidence on “imminent threat to life.” While the Committee did not recognize Teitiota and his family as climate change refugees, under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, it also ruled that this case may open pathways for application of non-refoulement in future. The author analyzes the key elements of the decision, while also highlighting that the Committee failed to apply the “best interest of the child” principle under analysis of Article 6.

On the question about opposition to the information component aggression of the Russian Federation

2021 ◽  
pp. 59-63
Author(s):  
O. Vasylchenko
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Freedom Of Expression ◽  
Freedom Of Speech ◽  
State Committee ◽  
The State ◽  
Political Rights ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
The Law

Ukrainian law guarantees freedom of speech and expression. This is in line with international and regional instruments (Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Declaration of Human Rights) to which Ukraine is a party. Unfortunately, Ukraine is no exception, due to the conflict with the Russian Federation. The Revolution of Dignity of 2014 and the subsequent illegal activities of the neighbouring state (annexation of Crimea, occupation of the territories in the South-East of Ukraine) affected the legislative and regulatory framework of Ukraine regarding freedom of speech and freedom of expression. In order to counter aggression, the state has adopted a number of laws aimed at counteracting foreign interference in broadcasting and ensuring Ukraine’s information sovereignty. The implementation of these laws has been criticized for being seen by NGOs as imposing restrictions on freedom of expression and expression. However, censorship and selfcensorship create another serious restriction on freedom of speech and the press. The Law on Transparency of Mass Media Ownership, adopted in 2015, provides for the disclosure of information on the owners of final beneficiaries (controllers), and in their absence – on all owners and members of a broadcasting organization or service provider. In 2019, Ukraine adopted a law on strengthening the role of the Ukrainian language as the state language, which provides for language quotas for the media. According to the Law on Language, only 10% of total film adaptations can be in a language other than Ukrainian. Ukraine has adopted several laws in the field of information management to counter foreign influence and propaganda. According to the report of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, for the period from January 1, 2017 to February 14, 2018, the State Committee banned 30 books published in the Russian Federation. Thus, for the first time faced with the need to wage an “invisible” war on the information front, Ukraine was forced to take seriously the regulation of the media and the market. By imposing a number of restrictions on a product that can shake sovereignty and increase the authority of the aggressor in the eyes of citizens, the legislator, guided by the needs of society, also contributes to the promotion of Ukrainian (for example, by introducing quotas).

Re Review of Constitutionality of Section 1 of Article 6.21 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Russian Federation

2021 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 503-530
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Family Values ◽  
European Convention ◽  
Russian Society ◽  
Political Rights ◽  
Traditional Family ◽  
Russian Constitution ◽  
Traditional Family Values

503Relationship of international law and municipal law — Treaties — European Convention on Human Rights, 1950 — Role of European Court of Human Rights — Judgments of European Court of Human Rights and Russian Constitutional Court — Whether interdependent — Resolution in case of conflicting judgments — Supremacy of Russian law — Russian Constitution — Section 1 of Article 6.21 of Russian Administrative Offences Code — Whether compatible with Russian ConstitutionRelationship of international law and municipal law — Treaties — International instruments — Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 — European Convention on Human Rights, 1950 — International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 — Rights and duties — Rights of freedom of expression — Restrictions on rights — Whether necessary in democratic society — Public health and morals — Moral values — Relevance — Russian Constitution — Article 15(4) of Constitution — International law an integral part of Russian legal system — Implementation of international provisions — Constitutional recognition of traditional family values in Russian society — Respect for dignity of others and Russian morality — Prohibition of propaganda arousing hatred — Article 29(2) of Russian Constitution — Traditional family values in Russian society — Role of family — Russia’s legislative approach — Whether conforming with Russian Constitution — Whether contradicting International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 or European Convention on Human Rights, 1950 — Section 1 of Article 6.21 of Russian Administrative Offences Code — Whether compatible with Russian ConstitutionRelationship of international law and municipal law — Treaties — United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 — Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, 2007 — Rights of children — Traditional family values in Russian society — Russian Constitution — Protection of children from sexual exploitation and abuse — Dissemination of information related to sexual self-determination — Whether information damaging to health and development of children — Whether Russia obliged to create conditions for propaganda, support and recognition of same sex union under Constitution or international law — Section 1 of Article 6.21 of Russian Administrative Offences Code — Whether compatible with Russian Constitution504International tribunals — European Court of Human Rights — Jurisdiction — Whether Court having competence to review conformity of Russian legislation with European Convention on Human Rights, 1950 — Constitutional requirement to exhaust domestic remedies before appealing to interstate bodies for human rights protection — Article 46 of Russian Constitution — Judgments of European Court of Human Rights and Russian Constitutional Court — Whether interdependent — Resolution in case of conflicting judgments — Section 1 of Article 6.21 of Russian Administrative Offences Code — Whether compatible with Russian ConstitutionHuman rights — Prohibition on discrimination — Equality of all persons — Human dignity — Right to private life — Freedom of speech — Sexual self-determination — Sexual discrimination — Right to disseminate information related to sexual self-determination — Whether exercise of right violating rights of others — Rights of minors — Balancing of rights — Moral values — Relevance — Whether public activity unconditionally lawful under Russian Constitution — Approach under international instruments — Duties and restrictions — Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 — European Convention on Human Rights, 1950 — International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 — Articles 13, 17, 19, 29 and 55 of Russian Constitution — Traditional family values in Russian society — Role of family — Russia’s legislative approach — Whether conforming to Russian Constitution — Whether contradicting International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 or European Convention on Human Rights, 1950 — Section 1 of Article 6.21 of Russian Administrative Offences Code — Whether compatible with Russian ConstitutionHuman rights — Rights of children — Traditional family values in Russian society — Russian Constitution — Protection of children from sexual exploitation and abuse — United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 — Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, 2007 — Dissemination of information related to sexual self-determination — Whether information damaging to health and development of children — Whether Russia obliged to create conditions for propaganda, support and recognition of same sex union under Constitution or international law — Section 1 of Article 6.21 of Russian Administrative Offences Code — Whether compatible with Russian Constitution — The law of the Russian Federation

Introduction The customary law of human rights is hiding in plain sight

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
William A. Schabas
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
Customary Law ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Political Rights ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
Customary International Law ◽  
Regional Systems ◽  
Second World

Many areas of international law developed first as custom and were only subsequently, generally in the course of the twentieth century, subject to codification. Human rights law was different. It was viewed as quintessentially a matter of domestic concern, a subject shrouded in State sovereignty. Only following the Second World War was international human rights law recognised as a source of binding obligations, mainly through the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other instruments of the United Nations as well as the regional systems. Later, jurists began contending that the norms in these instruments might also be customary in nature. They struggled with identifying the two classic elements in the determination of custom, opinio juris and State practice. Most analysis of the content of customary international law was rather perfunctory and also quite conservative, confining itself largely to civil and political rights.

The Abuse of Constituent Power

2021 ◽  
pp. 116-151
Author(s):  
Rosalind Dixon ◽  
David Landau
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Latin America ◽  
International Law ◽  
Term Limits ◽  
Constitutional Amendment ◽  
Military Coup ◽  
Elected Officials ◽  
Constituent Power ◽  
The People ◽  
Constitutional Identity

This chapter explores the abusive borrowing of ideas related to constituent power—the concept that all power ultimately stems from the people, and which thus reserves power to the people to replace their constitution, while limiting the ability of ‘constituted’ institutions to make fundamental changes. It shows how constituent power theory has been abused to legitimate anti-democratic Constituent Assemblies, including twice in recent years in Venezuela. It also demonstrates how the unconstitutional constitutional amendment doctrine has been wielded throughout Latin America to eradicate presidential term limits, on the argument that they are infringements of the human rights of both voters and elected officials. Finally, it explores the anti-democratic use of international law doctrines related to constituent power: the abuse of ‘unconstitutional government’ norms to justify a military coup in Fiji, and the wielding of the European Union’s constitutional identity doctrines for illiberal or anti-democratic ends in Hungary and Poland.

Thinking Allowed in the Academy

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-146
Author(s):  
Paul Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Academic Freedom ◽  
Freedom Of Speech ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
International Standards ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Political Rights ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
Model Code ◽  
Institutional Power

The recent Review of Freedom of Speech in Australian Higher Education Providers (‘the Review’), overseen by the Hon Robert French AC, identified areas for improving freedom of speech and academic freedom, and to that end proposed the adoption of umbrella principles embedded in a Model Code. The Review’s engagement with international human rights law standards was confined, even though many are binding on Australia. As universities consider implementing the Review’s recommendations, this article reflects on the Model Code in the light particularly of  the standards established by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (‘ICCPR’). If the drafters of the Model Code had paid closer regard to the ICCPR and other international standards, the result may have been a scheme that more clearly and predictably distinguishes permissible from impermissible restriction on free speech and academic freedom, and gives greater priority to promoting the human rights of those in the academic community than to the institutional power to limit them.

Part III The Right to Justice, C Restrictions on Rules of Law Justified By Action to Combat Impunity, Principle 29 Restrictions on the Jurisdiction of Military Courts

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aoláin Fionnuala Ní
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Domestic Courts ◽  
Military Law ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Military

Principle 29 deals with restrictions on the jurisdiction of military courts. Under this Principle, the adjudication of human rights violations by military courts is explicitly excluded, and ordinary domestic courts are mandated as the only appropriate venue of judicial oversight. Nevertheless, military courts remain functionally important for the routine and uncontroversial deployment of military law consistent with international law. The chapter first provides a contextual and historical background on Principle 29 before discussing its theoretical framework and how military courts are used in various countries such as Ireland and Turkey. Issues arising when civilians find themselves within the jurisdiction of military courts are also examined, along with the difficulties of ensuring fair trials in military courts. This chapter shows that military courts, while certainly serving important functions within the military forces of states, remain subject to human rights and humanitarian law compliance.

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