Jus Cogens: an European Concept? An Emancipatory Conceptual Review from the Inter-American System of Human Rights

SummaryThis article argues that states should have a limited obligation — and not only a privilege — to extend diplomatic protection to their nationals when they are facing violations of their most basic human rights abroad. The author addresses the current state of international law regarding diplomatic protection, with a focus on the International Law Commission's failed attempt to impose a duty on states to exercise protection in cases of jus cogens violations. A review of domestic case law, particularly in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and South Africa, shows that while some courts recognize legitimate expectations to receive diplomatic protection, all are reluctant to exercise judicial review of a denial of diplomatic protection. The author nevertheless examines whether adherence to international human rights treaties could entail a positive obligation for states to exercise diplomatic protection in order to protect the human rights of their nationals that are ill-treated abroad.

Download Full-text

The Role of Customary International Law in Regulating the Activities of Armed Groups in the Field of Human Rights

Actual Problems of Russian Law ◽

10.17803/1994-1471.2021.126.5.195-204 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 195-204

Author(s):

R. I. Sharipov

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

International Law ◽

Armed Conflicts ◽

International Human Rights Law ◽

Armed Groups ◽

Customary International Law ◽

Protection Of Human Rights ◽

Jus Cogens ◽

Relationship Of ◽

Peremptory Norms

Over the past decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of armed groups involved in armed conflicts around the world, as well as in their impact on the rights and freedoms of the population under their control. Facing various situations of systematic violations of human rights by non-state actors, experts in the field of international human rights law began to consider the theoretical justification for the mandatory nature of the provisions on the observance and protection of human rights for armed groups. In this regard, a number of scholars have turned to the theory of customary international law, the acceptability of which is being investigated by the author of this paper. The author examines the provisions underlying this theory and the persuasiveness of the argumentation used by its supporters. Based on an analysis of the nature of customary international law, its structural elements, their interpretation by the UN International Court of Justice in its decisions and the relationship of customary international law with peremptory norms of jus cogens, the author concludes that the theory under consideration is currently unable to explain the existence of obligations of armed groups in the field of human rights.

Download Full-text

MEMÓRIA, HISTÓRIA E RELAÇÕES DE PODER * MEMORY, HISTORY AND POWER RELATIONS

História e Cultura ◽

10.18223/hiscult.v4i3.1507 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 327

Author(s):

Sonale Diane Pastro de Oliveira ◽

Maria Gabriela Silva Martins da Cunha Marinho

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Collective Memory ◽

Transitional Justice ◽

Power Relations ◽

Historical Record ◽

Military Regime ◽

American System ◽

The Right ◽

The Military ◽

Change Memory

Resumo: Superado o regime militar, o Brasil tornou-se signatário de acordos internacionais de defesa e promoção dos direitos humanos. Apesar disso, até recentemente, o país negligenciou princípios e fundamentos da justiça de transição previstos pelo Sistema Interamericano de Direitos Humanos, entre eles, o direito à verdade, fato que o coloca à margem daquele Sistema. O artigo pontua aspectos políticos da transição-redemocratização política que podem explicar o adiamento da instalação da Comissão Nacional da Verdade no país, criada somente em 2011, e acentua também o caráter contraditório do processo. Especificamente, a análise assinala o fato de que ao transitar da memória para a história, como pretensamente fazem as comissões da verdade, os indivíduos que se aventuram no registro histórico estarão manejando e interferindo na memória coletiva, na percepção e na identidade da qual fazem parte, o que transforma memória em poder. Palavras-chaves: Comissão da Verdade; Memória; Relações de Poder; Direitos Humanos; Democracia. Abstract: Overcoming the military regime, Brazil has become signatory of the international defense agreements and promotion of human rights. Yet, until recently, the country has neglected to foundations of transitional justice provided for the Inter-American System of Human Rights, between them, the right of truth, fact that stands aside that system. The article points out political aspects of transitional policy re-democratization which may explain the setting up progress of the National Truth Committee in the country, created only in 2011, and also emphasizes the contradictory procedure. Specifically, the analysis indicates the fact that going through memory to history, the way supposedly the Truth Committees do, the individuals who venture into a historical record will be managing and interfering in the collective memory, perception and identity from which they take part and change memory into power. Keywords: The Truth Committee, Memory and Power Relations, Human Rights, Democracy.

Download Full-text