Human Rights Education and Social Cohesion in South Asia in times of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-112
Author(s):  
Seweryn Ozdowski

Globalisations, economic, cultural and social change over the last four decades have affected the nature of the discourse in human rights education. The chapter explores human rights education research and the problematic relationship between human rights education and the state, against the background of globalisation, and economic, political, social and cultural factors. This article aims to link human rights international standards and institutions to grass-roots human rights culture and its impact on social cohesion in South Asia. It begins with an analysis of the nexus between human rights and social cohesion and draws attention to some ideas that complement both. It then analyses how international human rights standards and associated implementation machinery can be used to advance social cohesion around the world. The article critiques current social cohesion trends globally - with some references to Australia and South Asia and focuses on the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in advancing human rights culture.

Author(s):  
Celia Fernández Aller

Este texto hace una síntesis de los principales argumentos encontrados en la doctrina y jurisprudencia nacional e internacional que se esgrimen a favor de una mayor exigibilidad de los derechos económicos, sociales y culturales. Se profundiza en el concepto y fundamento de estos derechos, para a continuación repasar algunos ámbitos de exigibilidad: la Constitución, las normas internacionales, la doctrina y labor de las Instituciones de Derechos Humanos, y las declaraciones de Naciones Unidas. Para concluir, se aportan ejemplos de algunos tribunales que han entrado a conocer acerca de los derechos DESC.This text is a summary of the main reasons found in the legal doctrine and national and international jurisprudence to justify a greater enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights. It analyzes the concept of such rights, then go over some areas of enforcement: the Constitution, international standards, doctrine and work of National Human Rights Institutions and UN declarations. Finally, we provide examples of some courts that have come to know about ESC rights.


Author(s):  
Sonia Cardenas

The modern state’s role vis-à-vis human rights has always been ambiguous. States are the basic guarantors of human rights protections, just as they can be brutal violators of human rights. This basic tension is rooted in the very notion of statehood, and it pervades much of the literature on human rights. As the central organizing principle in international relations, state sovereignty would seem to be antithetical to human rights. Sovereignty, after all, is ultimately about having the last word; it is virtually synonymous with the principle of territorial non-interference. Meanwhile, humanitarian intervention would at first glance seem to be a contravention of state sovereignty. Yet not all observers interpret human rights pressures as a challenge to state sovereignty. Modern states can be highly adaptive, no less so when confronted with human rights demands. One of the principal, if overlooked, ways in which states have adapted to rising global human rights pressures is by creating new institutions. This is reflected in the formation of national human rights institutions (NHRIs): permanent state bodies created to promote and protect human rights domestically. These state institutions are remarkable due to their rapid and widespread proliferation around the world, the extent to which they sometimes represent a strategy of appeasement but nonetheless can be consequential, and their potential for domesticating international human rights standards.


Author(s):  
O. K. Goncharenko ◽  
A. O. Akhmetzyanov

The article addresses issues related to the development of international cooperation as one of the key areas of activity of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation. The special features regulating the activities of the High Commissioner, including the novelty in the national legislation and international standards in this area have been presented. Special attention has been given to the directions and forms of cooperation of the High Commissioner with national human rights institutions of foreign states, universal and regional international organizations, integration associations of ombudsmen. Examples of the interaction of the High Commissioner with the United Nations and the Council of Europe at the present stage have been provided. The efforts of the High Commissioner to protect the rights of the Russian citizens and compatriots living abroad have been highlighted. The article presents the development and strengthening of such concept as “human rights diplomacy”. The aspects of the establishment and promotion of the Eurasian Ombudsman Alliance have been reflected.In conclusion, the authors make recommendations on the extension of the competence of the High Commissioner.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-341
Author(s):  
Veronika Haász

National Human Rights Institutions (nhris) have rapidly proliferated worldwide in the last twenty years. They play an important role in the implementation of international human rights standards at the domestic level. Examples, especially from the African and Asian regions show that the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) relates to the work of nhris. Some institutions were established as one of the outcomes of peace processes in order to advance reconciliation and prevent future abuses. Where nhris already exist, the institutions may promote and protect human rights in each phase of the R2P. This paper discusses what role nhris can take up in assisting governments, the international community, and people before, during and after crisis situations. Through concrete country examples, it also highlights the challenges that the institutions must face, and summarises the limits of their influence.


2020 ◽  
pp. 002200272098234
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Welch ◽  
Jacqueline H. R. DeMeritt ◽  
Courtenay R. Conrad

A wealth of literature argues that domestic institutions can sometimes restrain government repression. In this article, we highlight an institution tasked specifically with protecting and promoting human rights: the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). Although common international standards exist, NHRIs exhibit substantial variation in their organization, the rights that they protect, the activities they permit, and the manner in which they appoint their members. Scholarship to date has conceptualized and measured NHRIs dichotomously; an NHRI either exists or it does not. We present data that highlights NHRI heterogeneity collected via content analysis of NHRI annual reports, NHRI websites, national constitutions, government legislation, and other sources. Using these data, we show NHRIs that can publish their findings and NHRIs that can punish offenders are each associated with less state torture. These data will allow future researchers to better explore important questions regarding NHRI origins, design, processes, and effectiveness.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
NINA KARPACHOVA

The article examines the genesis of the institution of the Ombudsman of Ukraine – the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights. The role of the Ombudsman is shown both in protecting the rights of individuals as well as in overcoming the systemic violations of human rights. The essence of modern challenges to human rights and freedoms is revealed: poverty, migration, human trafficking, modern terrorism, sea piracy, armed conflicts, wars, humanitarian disasters, dehumanization of society. The activity of the First Ombudsman of Ukraine on bringing the legislation of Ukraine and law enforcement practice in line with European and international human rights standards is analyzed. The need to form a modern legal culture based on international standards in the field of human rights and freedoms and the rule of law is analyzed. The article investigates monitoring mechanism of the national human rights institution performed through the Annual and Special Reports to the national Parliament. It also reveals forms of cooperation of the Ombudsman of Ukraine with national, international and European structures in the field of human rights. It is shown that not only the institution of the Ombudsman, in terms of its legal status, should be independent in the spirit of the Paris Principles, but the person in this post should also have personal independence. There are shown ways to establishing peace through the search for compromises and a trustful dialogue between the authorities and society. The innovation of the article is the analysis of the Ombudsman institution as a mechanism for the extrajudicial protection of human rights in the context of modern challenges to human rights and freedoms. A new term is introduced into scientific circulation – “the case law of the Ombudsman”.


2011 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meg Brodie

AbstractThe International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC) is responsible for accrediting independent, broadly mandated, national human rights institutions (NHRIs). The relevant international standards used to accredit NHRIs are the Paris Principles. In this role, the ICC has facilitated the progressive socialisation of Paris Principles norms. Members define and redefine their collective identity in light of the norms, causing the boundaries of membership to shift. The ICC has evolved from a representative, inclusive community of NHRIs to one that emphasises its regulatory role. This has implications for existing members and new applicants, such as Sweden, which must now demonstrate their compliance with more robustly applied standards. The progression of norm socialisation relies on the ICC's willingness to maintain the legitimacy of the rules through their coherent application and interpretation.


Author(s):  
Emilie M. Hafner-Burton

In the last six decades, one of the most striking developments in international law is the emergence of a massive body of legal norms and procedures aimed at protecting human rights. In many countries, though, there is little relationship between international law and the actual protection of human rights on the ground. This book takes a fresh look at why it's been so hard for international law to have much impact in parts of the world where human rights are most at risk. The book argues that more progress is possible if human rights promoters work strategically with the group of states that have dedicated resources to human rights protection. These human rights “stewards” can focus their resources on places where the tangible benefits to human rights are greatest. Success will require setting priorities as well as engaging local stakeholders such as nongovernmental organizations and national human rights institutions. To date, promoters of international human rights law have relied too heavily on setting universal goals and procedures and not enough on assessing what actually works and setting priorities. This book illustrates how, with a different strategy, human rights stewards can make international law more effective and also safeguard human rights for more of the world population.


Author(s):  
John Mubangizi

That National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) play an important role in the protection and promotion of human rights is a well-known fact. This has been widely acknowledged by the United Nations (UN). Also well-known is the fact that several African countries have enacted new constitutions during the last two to three decades. One of the most salient features of those new constitutions is that they establish NHRIs, among other things. Given their unique role and mandate, these NHRIs can and do play an important role in the realisation of the sustainable development goals contained in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Adopting a case study approach, this article explores the role NHRIs have played in the promotion and protection of human rights in selected African countries and implications for sustainable development in those countries. The main argument is that there are several lessons African countries can learn from each other on how their NHRIs can more meaningfully play that role. Accordingly, best practice and comparative lessons are identified and it is recommended that NHRIs can contribute to sustainable development more meaningfully if they can make themselves more relevant, credible, legitimate, efficient and effective.


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