Human rights-based service delivery

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Iroanya ◽  
Patrick Dzimiri ◽  
Edith Phaswana

English Abstract:This article examines the extent to which National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Ghana and Uganda contribute to the strengthening of democracy and sustainable development in those countries. A human rights-based approach is used to investigate human rights violations, marginalization, exclusions, and discrimination against vulnerable groups in society. This article examines whether NHRIs are proactive in adopting preventive measures to protect and promote human rights within the African context. The study utilized a qualitative methodology and a case study design. It found that the legal environment on which NHRIs are located and their operations largely determine their effectiveness, as well as whether good governance and sustainable development are achievable.Spanish Abstract:Este artículo examina hasta qué punto las Instituciones Nacionales de Derechos Humanos (INDH) en Ghana y Uganda contribuyen al fortalecimiento de la democracia y el desarrollo sostenible en esos países. Se utiliza un enfoque basado en los derechos humanos para investigar las violaciones de los derechos humanos, la marginación, las exclusiones y la discriminación contra los grupos vulnerables de la sociedad. Este artículo examina si las INDH son proactivas a la hora de adoptar medidas preventivas para proteger y promover los derechos humanos en el contexto africano. La investigación requirió de una metodología cualitativa y un diseño de estudio de caso. Se descubrió que el entorno legal en el que se encuentran las INDH y sus operaciones determinan en gran medida su eficacia, así como también si se puede lograr una buena gobernanza y un desarrollo sostenible.French Abstract:Cet article examine dans quelle mesure les institutions nationales des droits de l’homme (INDH) au Ghana et en Ouganda contribuent au renforcement de la démocratie et du développement durable dans ces pays. Une approche fondée sur les droits de l’homme est utilisée pour enquêter sur les violations des droits de l’homme, la marginalisation, les exclusions et les discriminations à l’encontre des groupes vulnérables de la société. Cet article examine si les INDH sont proactives dans l’adoption de mesures préventives pour protéger et promouvoir ces droits dans le contexte africain. L’étude a utilisé une méthodologie qualitative et une étude de cas. Il a été constaté que l’environnement juridique dans lequel les INDH sont ancrées ainsi que leurs opérations déterminent en grande partie leur efficacité et les conditions de réalisation de la bonne gouvernance et du développement durable.

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.


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.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-478
Author(s):  
Webster Zambara

AbstractThe essay argues that one of the greatest shifts in the international humanitarian order heralded by the end of the Cold War has been the concept of holding state sovereignty accountable to an international human rights standard. It argues that while the concept of R2P has generally focused on humanitarian intervention at a macro level, the period since the 1990s has also witnessed an increase of micro-level institutions, in the form of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) that can advance R2P, including 31 such institutions in Africa. NHRIs can potentially bolster R2P and foster peace in countries in which they operate. The general popularity of R2P as an international standard is contrasted with the great suspicion with which it is regarded by a number of governments—particularly in Africa, where sovereignty is guarded with passion as a result of the anticolonial struggles that gave birth to national independence on the continent. The author further argues that NHRIs—when properly institutionalised and functioning optimally—can play an important role in protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, and have the potential to help countries attain international human rights norms and standards without unduly threatening their sovereign independence. The essay examines the role of NHRIs in the four cases of Sierra Leone, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa, and assesses the establishment and operation of African NHRIs using measures formulated by the internationally agreed Paris Principles of 1993.


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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Welch

Why do states give institutions the ability to legally punish them? While past research focuses on international pressure to delegate authority to third parties, I argue that domestic politics plays a key role. By viewing domestic politics through a principal–agent framework, I argue that the more accountable individual legislators remain to the public, the more likely it is that the legislature will delegate legal punishment authority. I focus on National Human Rights Institutions—domestic institutions tasked with protection and promotion of human rights—to build the argument. Electoral institutions that decrease monitoring of legislator agents, or institutional makeup that allows the executive to displace the public as the principal lead to National Human Rights Institutions without punishment power. Using Bayesian logistic analyses I test four hypotheses, all of which are in agreement with the argument.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Julia Kakoullis

AbstractIn its concluding observations for Cyprus, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Committee stated that it ‘is concerned about the insufficiency of legal provisions and accessible mechanisms to detect, report, prevent and combat all forms of violence’.1This paper focuses on the independent monitoring obligation Article 16(3) CRPD places on states parties, and discusses the implications of the insufficient implementation of Article 16(3) as it affects adults with intellectual disabilities in Cyprus. It examines the existing monitoring frameworks, explains why they do not meet with Article 16(3) CRPD requirements and explores the relationship of the national human rights institutions (NHRIs) with Article 16(3). This paper enables understanding as to how, despite pre-existing monitoring frameworks in place, no independent monitoring action has been taken since the ratification of the CRPD. It argues that there is an immediate need for measures to achieve the implementation of Article 16(3) and makes recommendations for Cyprus and other states parties.


UVserva ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Domingo Vázquez Martínez

La Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos (CNDH) tiene 20 años realizando recomendaciones a las autoridades del Sistema Nacional de Salud por violaciones a los derechos humanos de los usuarios de las unidades de salud, derivadas de la falta de supervisión a estudiantes de medicina que, como parte de su educación profesional, atienden pacientes. La Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos establece que las universidades e instituciones de educación superior autónomas tienen la responsabilidad de la formación profesional en el país. En este sentido, las universidades son garantes de la formación, evaluación y supervisión de los estudiantes de medicina en las unidades de salud. Dirigir las recomendaciones de la CNDH a las instituciones educativas contribuiría significativamente a que los programas de educación médica mejoren significativamente y a que no se violen derechos humanos de los usuarios de las unidades de salud por falta de compromiso educativo.Palabras clave: Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos; Sistema Nacinal de Salud; estudiantes medicina; trato a pacientes; instituciones educativas; derechos humanos AbstractFor 20 years the National Human Rights Commission of Mexico (CNDH as it is a Spanish acronym) has been making recom­mendations addressed to the authorities of the National Health System on human rights violation against users of health units, which result from the lack of supervision of medical students that, as part of their professional tra­ining, treat patients. The Political Constitution of the Mexican United States points out that autonomous universities and higher education institutions are responsible for professional training in the country. In this sense, univer­sities are guarantors of training, assessment and supervision of medical students at heal­th units. Addressing the recommendations by CNDH to educational institutions will signifi­cantly contribute to improve the medical edu­cation programs and stop human rights viola­tions against users of health units because of lack of educational commitment.Keywords: National Human Rights Commission; National Health System; medical students; treat patients; educational institutions; human rights


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