The Issue Torture is considered a serious crime and a terrible act of human rights abuse. Yet, it continues to be practiced with impunity by law enforcement and state officials. A key cause of this impunity is the lack of effective legislation criminalizing the practice of torture. Without such legislation, torture victims are unable to […]
Lesson Series 49: Constitutionalism and human rights
The Issue A country’s constitution is its cornerstone in protecting the rights and liberties of its citizens, as well as setting out a framework for political, economic and social governance. Without an adequate framework, society cannot be effectively governed by the rule of law. This framework of governance must represent the will of the people, […]
Lesson Series 48: Enforced disappearance
The Issue Enforced disappearances are a gross form of human rights abuse. They deprive individuals of their basic freedoms and deny them all access to the law. Disappearances leave victims’ family members in limbo, not knowing the whereabouts or condition of their loved ones. International law considers systematic disappearances to be a crime against humanity. […]
Lesson Series 47: Victim and witness protection
The Issue When victims of human rights abuse dare to speak out and make complaints against their perpetrators, they invariably face further abuse and harassment. Witnesses to such abuse–bystanders, relatives of the victim as well as the victim herself–are also subjected to abuse and harassment, in hopes of dissuading them from giving testimony. Witness testimony […]
Lesson Series 46: The International Criminal Court
The Issue The International Criminal Court is considered to be the most significant development in international relations after the creation of the United Nations. This is because it is the first permanent court with the authority to try perpetrators of grave crimes, no matter their official status. In this way, the Court is an attempt […]
Lesson Series 45: Command responsibility
The Issue There is a significant absence of command responsibility within policing institutions throughout Asia. This results in the lack of accountability, which perpetuates a vicious cycle of abuse and impunity. When police officers violate the rights of citizens and are not held responsible for their abuses, fear is instilled amongst the population while the […]
Lesson Series 44: Getting it down: The importance of documenting human rights violations
The Issue Human rights documentation can play a significant role in campaigning and social change. Part of human rights work must include monitoring–which is what documentation comes from–and then work to change the situation. For this reason, the documentation must be able to promote change. While there may be large amounts of existing documentation on […]
Lesson Series 43: Rule of law: The role of the judiciary in human rights implementation
The Issue The judiciary is the last resort for citizens seeking justice, particularly when it is other government agencies that have violated their rights. When the judiciary itself ignores human rights and participates in the abuse of power–as is common in many parts of Asia–it becomes a serious impediment to citizens and an obstacle to […]
Lesson Series 42: Rule of law: The role of the prosecution in human rights implementation
The Issue The prosecution mechanism is responsible for ensuring that all law is enforced. When laws are violated and crimes committed, the prosecution must ensure that due process is followed and justice obtained. This is particularly important when it is law enforcement and government officials–those meant to be protecting citizens?rights–who are breaking laws and committing […]
Lesson Series 41: Rule of law: The role of police in human rights implementation
The Issue When law enforcement officials themselves flaunt the law, there can be little hope for society to function under rule of law; rather, it will most likely function under fear, violence and oppression. Human rights can only be protected when the rule of law flourishes, and thus there is a firm link between the […]