Ecocides as a Serious Human Rights Violation: A Study on the Case of River Pollution by the Palm Oil Industry in Indonesia

This study aims to analyse ecocides as a gross violation of human rights through a case study of river pollution conducted by palm oil companies in Indonesia. This article is methodologically distinctive from doctrinal legal research, primarily through a literature review. There are three main reasons for incorporating environmental concerns as an extraordinary crime of ecocide into serious human rights violations, especially those committed by several palm oil companies in Indonesia, namely: The quality of the Environment is the essence of human life that complements human dignity; environmental concerns and crimes in the tradition of extraordinary crimes are a response to the inability of national and even international environmental laws; and ensure restitution, rehabilitation and compensation to all victims of ecocide crime.

Escaping Social Injustices: Changemaking Escape Rooms for Human Rights in the Literature Classroom

Escape rooms have been used in STEM classrooms, but there is little evidence of successful implementation of escape rooms in humanities courses in higher learning. This paper examines the experience of adapting escape rooms for the education setting in literature. To do so, two new components in the learning process were incorporated: (a) students are required to create their own escape rooms, thus increasing the stakes and the level of ownership; they are not only responsible for their own learning, but they also need to teach others; and, (b) students are required to explore a human rights violation or social injustices in their escape rooms, making civic engagement an end goal of the project. Participants in their escape room come out of the experience learning something about social change and being called to action.

EU, Trading and human rights: consistent framework?

The relationship between European Union and International Human Rights Law has not always been close. The global projection of the EU, specially, its interest in becoming a leader in international trade, is facing its negative impact in some territories, specially those affected by human rights violation or negation of fundamental rules of International Law, such as ius cogens self-determination of people. This paper will examine to what extend the practice of the European Union trading with occupying and administrative powers in some territories could jeopardise its compliance with its own values and principles.

Research Article

The article examines The Wasted Vigil, a post-9/11 novel by Nadeem Aslam to find out how the writer articulates imperialist ideology in his composition. The study reveals that the writer internalizes the imperialist discourses on the war in Afghanistan and becomes a voice of the imperialist powers by consolidating their ideology. Some of the ideologies that the novel incorporates are Western cultural supremacy, fear of the ‘evil empire’, mystic East, human rights violation, stereotyping, Islamophobia, patriarchy, white man’s burden, rehabilitation and political economy. Inspired by the theories of Said, Dabashi, and Chomsky, the paper approves that the writer, obliterating some ground realities, extends on the persistent misrepresentation of the local culture and stereotypes the war-affected people of Afghanistan as established by the imperialists during the New Great Game.

Strategic and Human Rights Perspectives to Gender Mainstreaming in Preventing/Counter-Violent Extremism Efforts in the Western Balkans

This article explores the strategic and human rights perspectives on gender mainstreaming in preventing/countering violent extremist efforts (P/CVE) in the Western Balkans (WB). It begins with elaborating the strategic relevance of gender mainstreaming in the contested and fast-changing security environment where the threat from modern-day extremists that practice terrorism is a reality. Although NATO has already acknowledged the importance of gender mainstreaming the human rights perspectives of gender mainstreaming in general and in the P/CVE context have largely been neglected. The article analyzes human rights perspectives to gender mainstreaming in P/CVE from three aspects and provides a rationale for its relevance. First, the general human rights perspective to gender mainstreaming in P/CVE. Second, from a perspective of protecting human rights and providing fair treatment to those who commit violent extremist activities. Finally, from the perspective of human rights violation by committing or supporting violent extremist activities/agenda.

Social and Economic Perspective of Domestic Violence During Covid-19: A Comparative Study of Maldives, Malaysia and Pakistan

Domestic violence is a worldwide epidemic, and the UN lists it as the worst human rights violation before the Covid-19 outbreak. A large rise in domestic violence incidents occurred when governments adopted emergency lockdown measures due to a worldwide Covid-19 epidemic. The unprecedented rise in domestic violence cases under Covid-19 serves as a wake-up call for the states. This study aims to examine the reasons for the increase in domestic violence and the methods used by stakeholders to address the issue in South Asian and Far Eastern countries, specifically the Maldives, Pakistan, and Malaysia. This paper adopted the qualitative research method in collecting data. The statistics indicate an alarming surge in domestic violence cases during Covid-19, and clear links exist between Covid-19 and domestic violence, impacting the economic and social crisis. This study confirmes that the state interventions to deal with this social problem are inadequate. Domestic violence has been worsened by growing unemployment, financial stress, anxiety and lack of community services. Furthermore, states have significant difficulties in addressing such issues due to a lack of cooperation across government agencies and stakeholders. Finally, this research recommends policy initiatives and legislative reforms to decrease domestic violence during this crucial period.

REBUILDING INDIA’S EXTERNAL TRADE: A SEARCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES IN MYANMAR

Myanmar is a resource-rich country. It is endowed with precious mineral resources. Previously, Myanmar was called ‘Rice bowl of the East’ because of its fertile land and rich forest products. Not only in mineral resources, it is also rich in cultural aspects as well. Myanmar is also known as a ‘home of many civilizations to the South East Asian nations’. However, it is one of the poorest countries in the world despite its richness in natural and mineral resources. It has been known as one of the most isolated countries due to its setback under the military rule. The economy was under strict governmental control and the poor economic policies virtually destroyed the whole economy. In other words, the economy of the country deteriorated due to poor management of resources. The people of the ‘rice bowl of the east’ were dying due to hunger and the morale of the people has been ruined. Many cases of human rights violation have been reported every year.

The Framing of Gender-Based Violence Discourses in Mainstream Development: From a Human Rights Violation to a Development Barrier

This chapter discusses the emergence of gender-based violence (GBV) as a grassroots women’s organizations’ concern, and how it later became a human rights issue and a priority in the mainstream development agenda. The anti-GBV movement is deeply rooted in a human rights approach and on defending the right of women to a life free of violence. However, mainstream development and governmental initiatives have increasingly framed the fight against GBV in instrumental terms, situating GBV as an obstacle to development. The chapter uses a feminist lens to critically analyse mainstream discourses and their implications for policy and development programs aimed at reducing GBV rates.

Constitutional and Political Intricacies Involved in Abrogation of Article 370

Original Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is temporary, transitional. Special Provision of the State of J&K, This provision grants J&K an autonomous status. In contrast, Article 35A is incorporated into the constitution in 1954, grants special rights and privileges to state citizens. Since its inception, Article 370 has been considered a controversial provision in the constitution. It has been politicized in one or another way. The abrogation of Article 370 cannot be viewed in isolation, as it has proximity with historical, political, and constitutional dimensions. The abrogation of Article 370 is a key issue so far as the autonomy of the people of J&K is a concern. The mode and manner in which Article 370 has been abrogated and the procedure adopted for making Article 370 virtually ineffective is of great concern from the constitutional law point of view. The alarming terrorism in Kashmiris is a persistent threat to the unity and integrity of the nation and Indian democracy. Undoubtedly human rights violation of Kashmiri people through militant has always been an issue of great concern for Indian patriotism. In furtherance to the unity and integrity of the nation and to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir with intent to have uniform opportunities of development, all the states, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Article 370 has been abrogated. Even though this decision was a courageous attempt on the government's part, it is not free from wide controversies. This paper examines the constitutional and political dimensions of the abrogation of Article 370 and its impact on the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The research paper examines the political, social, and legal intricacies, including the logical insight into how abrogation was politically judicious; however, the constitutionality is debatable. Paper squarely covers the historical, political, and constitutional dimensions of the abrogation of Article 370 and examines it from a constitutional point of view. The researchers have pertinently tried to analyze and evaluate the abrogation of Article 370 as a political necessity on the touchstone of constitutional principle and have correlated it with human rights.