Complexities in Human Rights Protection: Actors and Rights Involved in the Ogoni Conflict in Nigeria

Armed Conflict and Human Rights in Colombia

The task of this paper is to study the role of international human rights organizations in response to the conflict taking place in eastern Ukraine. The study is based on recent reports from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the OSCE on Ukraine. The relevance of the stated topic is determined by the situation with human rights violations in the armed conflict in Ukraine and the significant role of international human rights organizations, making active efforts to resolve it. The purpose of this study is to determine the main aspects of the role that international organizations play in resolving this range of issues. This will help to identify potential opportunities to tackle the problem with human rights violations in the Ukrainian territories. The study combines quantitative and qualitative research of the entire spectrum of issues brought into the subject. The main results obtained are: analysis of the role and place of international human rights organizations in assessing the situation with the conflict in the Ukrainian territories and obtaining statistical information on the current status of human rights violations in these territories. The value of this paper lies in obtaining practical recommendations for finding ways to peacefully resolve the conflict in the East of Ukraine and implementing comprehensive measures to create conditions for the protection of human rights in this region

Article opens a general characteristic of activity of human rights organizations in the system of human rights protection. The role of human rights organizations as important element of development of democracy and respect of the human rights promoting increase in effectiveness of implementation of protection and restoration of the violated rights and freedoms of the person and citizen is traced. The thought that despite expansion of activity of human rights organizations for the last decade in the Russian Federation, they to these do not realize fully tasks which are assigned to them is proved. Result of low knowledge of work of socially oriented non-profit organizations, absence them in "field of vision" of citizens are mistrust to human rights organizations, difficulties with attraction of material resources, narrowing of network of supporters and volunteers, small number of strong and competent leaders and a weak position in the market of services. In this connection, concerning the social directed human rights organizations it is necessary to develop intensively the information environment of the public sector for distribution of results of their activity. Besides, in human rights protection it is necessary for increase in a role of human rights organizations also in a standard order, and in the information environment accurately to draw a distinction between the social directed and political human rights organizations. Authors, analyzing the main problems in activity of human rights organizations, indicate the need development of cooperation of various structures of civil society among themselves that in turn promotes strengthening of human rights organization, the socially important tasks focused on the decision, fight against an arbitrariness of public officials and authorities, tortures in prisons, political persecution, etc. It is obvious that the stable relation of such interaction is the brightest sign of the developed democracy.

The article is devoted to the volunteer movement in the sphere of human rights protection and cooperation of volunteers with non-governmental human rights organizations. It is pointed out that due to the activization of civil society and the growing number of violations of human rights on the international arena, this issue needs to be studied in more detail. In order to study the nature of volunteer organizations, a retrospective historical analysis of the phenomenon of volunteering since its appearance has been conducted. Several directions of historical development of the volunteer movement are compared. In order to understand the role of volunteer movements in the protection of human rights, the definition of the concept is proposed and explained, their functions and features as well as the main directions of activity are singled out. The comparison of concepts, functions and roles of volunteer and non- governmental human rights organizations is made. Also, the definition of the concept of “non-governmental human rights organizations” is given, on the base of which the common features of the above elements of civil society are defined. Examples of state regulation of volunteering activities in European countries, as well as the activities of volunteers in the sphere of human rights protection and cooperation of the latter with non-governmental human rights organizations are analyzed. The importance of cooperation between volunteer organizations and NGOs is also emphasized, as well as the mutual benefit for these organizations.

The creation of the human rights system with the adoption in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1981 of the Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (African Charter) under the auspices of the former Organization of Unity (OAU) and its entry into force on 21 October 1986, a culmination of the yearning of many civil society and human rights organisations have a home-grown human rights mechanism that works promote and protect the human rights of the peoples of Africa. It is now common knowledge that the 1961 International Commission of Jurists' African Conference on the Rule of one of the early fires in this regard. One of the resolutions of the conference (the famous Law of Lagos) in effect the creation of a human rights court under a proposed African Convention on Human Rights, which was lay down the basis for future efforts for the establishment of rules and mechanisms for the regional promotion and protection of human rights in Africa, and to give full effect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Granted that it took 20 years after the Law of Lagos for the Charter that sets the tone for a regional human rights regime be adopted, its adoption a welcome development. During the early period of this development, the Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (African Commission) the only organ mandated under the Charter to: 1) engage in promoting human rights; 2) protect human rights; 3) examine state reports; and 4) provide interpretation of the Charter. As part of its protection mandate, the Commission innovated the hearing of individual complaints for human rights violations brought it by victims of such violations or their representatives.

This study explores the role of human rights organizations in the development of civil society and addresses the issue of their legal status on the international stage. The relevance of the topic is underscored by the growing number of such organizations and their increasing influence at both national and international levels. The paper examines several key areas in which human rights organizations impact civil society, including the protection of human rights, raising public awareness, contributing to the formation of international norms, and engaging in cooperation with governments, other institutions, and marginalized or civically engaged groups. A central issue discussed is the lack of a clearly defined legal status for human rights organizations globally. The study proposes that the international community formally recognize and standardize this status. This proposal is justified by the notable rise in the number of human rights organizations and their expanding influence on global practice. In addition, the paper reflects on how civil society interacts with different domains of public life, particularly the political and economic spheres. This research is intended for legal professionals, human rights advocates, and members or organizers of civic organizations, as well as concerned individuals seeking to contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights.

This study examined the importance of the remedy system at human rights organizations with local governments, aiming to provide an improvement plan. It analyzed three cases of human rights violations, settled between 2019 and 2021, of those employed at social welfare facilities of human rights organizations in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province from a restorative justice perspective. According to analysis findings, the remedy system of human rights organizations at local governments was implemented based on the participation from victims, perpetrators, and the community. While the system was useful for assisting victims to recover from damages and providing corrective recommendations to perpetrators, there were issues with how it interpreted human rights violations as merely infringements on the freedom of employees, and the actual effectiveness of corrective recommendations issued to perpetrators. With respect to the findings, the following improvements may be suggested from a restorative justice viewpoint. First, more attention and efforts are needed from social welfare facility employees to boost perpetrators' fulfillment of corrective recommendations. Second, the remedy system of local governments' human rights organizations should be strengthened, and lastly, the decisions of human rights violations at local governments should be publicized more widely.

Background: Human rights violations within the criminal justice system represent a pervasive problem. International human rights agreements and national laws clearly assert the absolute protection of human rights. However, despite these strong legal principles, human rights violations frequently occur within the criminal justice system. This article examines the problem of human rights violations in the criminal justice system of Kazakhstan and the role of the prosecutor's office in protecting human rights. Methods: This study utilised documentary analysis and secondary data analysis methodologies to conduct a detailed examination of legal acts, international agreements, and policy documents It specifically reviewed documents including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Constitutional Law “On the Prosecutor's Office”, the Concept of Legal Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan up to 2030, and human rights reports from international bodies such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House. The study also analysed reports from the Ministry of Justice and the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Results and conclusions: By analysing international human rights treaties, national legislation, and reports from leading human rights organisations, the study exposes significant discrepancies between legal mandates and actual practices. Despite Kazakhstan's formal commitment to international human rights standards, it reveals systemic issues, including instances of human rights abuses in criminal justice. The study highlights the critical role of the prosecutor's office in human rights protection while also pointing out the challenges in effectively fulfilling these responsibilities. The findings stress the importance of legislative reforms for enhancing the protection of human rights in criminal justice. The study is particularly relevant for policymakers, human rights advocates, and scholars interested in the intersection of law enforcement and human rights protections, offering insights that could guide future improvements in criminal justice practices.

Human rights are the birthright of human beings. Irrespective of state, caste, religion, or creed, everyone has human rights that can never be transferred, and no one can curtail human rights. Human rights are universally recognized. Various human rights organizations have been formed to protect the human rights of all people around the world, and international and domestic laws have been enacted to ensure human rights. There have been two world wars in the world so far with bloodshed and gross violations of human rights. Especially the horrors of World War II, which started in 1939 and finished in 1944. Which were so devastating and a disaster for human rights that it was a gross violation of human rights. After seeing the horrors of World War II, world leaders agreed that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was promulgated on December 10, 1948, through the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. Respecting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the member states of the United Nations, especially Bangladesh, have inserted fundamental rights in the constitution modeled after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and established the National Human Rights Commission for the protection of human rights. This paper is to draw the definition of human rights, the history of the formation of the National Human Rights Commission, its structure, and its functions. Along with that, the objectives of the National Human Rights Commission, the contrast between the reality with the motto of the National Human Rights Commission, and the failure of the Human Rights Commission to solve or reduce the violations of human rights and emerging problems in Bangladesh will be highlighted, as well as some recommendations.

Addressing Japan’s disposal of nuclear-contaminated water from the perspective of international human rights law

In the past, Africans have used the concept of human rights as a great tool to free themselves from the rule of colonialism during the struggle for African states’ independence. 1 Although the newly independent states incorporated human rights principles into their national constitutions, it did not take them long to detract from and oppress their people en masse. The Organization of the African Unity (OAU), an association of the then independent African states, was established in May 1963 through the adoption of its Charter. As one scholar pointed out, ‘the protection of individual human rights against government abuse was not the motivating impulse behind the Charter. Rather, inspired by the anti-colonial struggles of the 1950s, the Organisation was dedicated primarily to the eradication of colonialism and the condemnation of abuse of the rights of Africans by nonAfricans, such as in the case of apartheid’. Thus, it is obvious that the protection of human rights in the Charter was insufficient and that human rights were not one of the primary concerns of the OAU during that time. In fact, African leaders used the organisation as a shield against criticisms of domestic human rights violations by their peers and other human rights organisations by heavily relying on the principles of non-interference, state sovereignty and territorial integrity in

This study analyzes the importance, legal value, and practical implementation of Article 3 of the Geneva Convention of 1949 in order to evaluate the mechanisms for the protection of human rights. This study was conducted using analytical and descriptive methods. Legal documents, academic articles, and internet resources were used to collect data. As a result, the implementation of Article 3 is vital for the protection of human rights. Non-compliance with international law has led to human rights violations. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of international human rights organizations. Article 3 of the Geneva Convention is an important part of international humanitarian law, but the implementation of this principle still has problems. International organizations need to monitor the implementation of this article. It is recommended that there is a need to analyze the problems of implementation of international law. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring measures of human rights organizations. Propose new legal frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of international courts.

At the present stage of their development the Ukrainian society and the state are characterized by their pursuit to provide maximum realization of human and civil rights and to create a full-scale civil society. Obviously, in this context, a significant attention is paid to the human rights in Ukraine, however there is insufficient research systematically conceptualizing the human rights employing philosophical and legal instruments and methodology. The author highlights that particular attention in the mechanism of organizational and legal remedies is paid to judicial and extrajudicial protection of human and civil rights. In accordance with the Article 55 of the Constitution of Ukraine the judicial protection of human and civil rights is maintained through the system of general jurisdiction courts of Ukraine. The state ensures the right of every person to appeal in court against any decisions, actions or inactivity of the state bodies, local self-government bodies and government officials that violate human and civil rights. In case of exhausting all remedies of his/her rights and liberties protection in national courts the person can appeal to the international courts, e.g. to the European Court of Human Rights. At present, Ukraine holds the third position in the number of its citizens’ appeals to this distinguished international legal institution. Every person is able to appeal to the extrajudicial institutions authorized to protect the constitutional human and civil rights and liberties. In Ukraine there is a special body for this purpose — the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, whose activities are determined by the Law of Ukraine «On the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights» of 23 December, 1997. In case when all extrajudicial remedies of human rights protection are exhausted, a person has the right, guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine, to appeal to the international human rights organizations (Art. 55). In terms of the current theory and practice of guaranteeing the constitutional human and civil rights, together with the national regulatory, organizational and legal guarantees, it is worth to distinguish the international guarantees of the constitutional human and civil rights and liberties in Ukraine. The special international legal guarantees of the human and civil rights and liberties are usually divided into regulatory and institutional ones. Key words: human and civil rights and liberties, constitutional state, national legal doctrine, international law, imitation of human rights, constitutional and legal mechanism for ensuring human rights and liberties.

The Pitfalls of International Human Rights Monitoring: Some Critical Remarks on the 1995 Human Rights Watch/Helsinki Report on Xenophobia in Germany Manfred H. Wiegandt (bio) The euphoria of the opening of the iron curtain in Germany in 1989 and the unification one year later of a country that had been divided since the end of World War II was just abating when the ugly face of xenophobia started to reappear in the country. Pictures of skinheads lashing out at “foreigners,” of shelters for asylum seekers beleaguered by neo-Nazis, and of burned down dwellings housing Turks did the rounds in the international media. Increasingly hostile attitudes and behavior towards foreigners, which occurred amidst a public debate on how to curb the influx of hundreds of [End Page 833] thousands of asylum seekers into Germany, alerted many observers who were concerned about the situation of foreigners in Germany. One of the human rights groups that reacted to the dramatic increase of violence against foreigners was Helsinki Watch, now called Human Rights Watch/Helsinki. In October 1992, Human Rights Watch/Helsinki issued its first report on xenophobic violence in Germany (1992 Report). 1 In April 1995, it released a more elaborate follow-up report on the subject (1995 Report). 2 One may suggest that the international reaction to Human Rights Watch/Helsinki’s allegations of a wave of violent xenophobia in Germany both alerted the public to problems in Germany and put pressure on the German federal and state governments to make changes after they had partly given the fatal impression of silently tolerating, ignoring or, at least, belittling the degree of violence against foreigners in the country. However, despite the beneficial effect of evaluations by Human Rights Watch/Helsinki and other groups, 3 the 1995 Report by Human Rights Watch/Helsinki gives rise to a critique of its approach to human rights monitoring—a critique that may, to some extent, be valid for other human rights groups that pursue a similar approach. There are some fundamental problems with the 1995 Human Rights Watch/Helsinki Report itself. In addition, one might voice some objections to the principles that Human Rights Watch/Helsinki voiced in its dealing with Germany, in particular its “hate speech” policy. The first critique concerns the introductory section of the 1995 Report. Human Rights Watch/Helsinki mentions that Germany has experienced widespread beatings and even killings of foreigners. 4 The 1995 Report states that “[i]t is clear that racist attacks and killings are not unique to Germany. Genocide has been committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. Many violent attacks against foreigners have occurred in France, England, Sweden, and other Western European democracies in the early 1990s.” 5 It might be just sloppy language that seems to insinuate that the xenophobic attacks in Germany fall under the same category as the genocides in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. However, it is unwise to start a serious human rights [End Page 834] investigation with an overdramatization of the situation. Strong words are warranted to attract the attention of the public to the serious human rights violations that have occurred in Germany, particularly because initially the authorities, as the 1992 Report concluded, 6 did not take the violations seriously. However, a comparison between the events in Germany and the genocides in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia is so out of proportion as to cast doubt on the lack of bias in the whole 1995 Report. The advantage of nongovernmental human rights organizations (human rights NGOs) is that they do not have to feel confined by “diplomatic” usages. Unlike intergovernmental human rights organizations, NGOs are able to speak out and arouse immediate international attention to a specific problem. However, this relative flexibility, which makes human rights NGOs a valuable supplement to “official” and often very inert international human rights organizations, should not be compromised for cheap showmanship. If NGOs in the human rights field were to act like the international media then they could spotlight some situations, but, in doing this they might not be taken seriously by the governments of the countries they were evaluating. It is this type of behavior that could give governments a valid reason not...

Human rights are a universal issue that is of concern to the international community. The countries of Indonesia and Myanmar certainly have a historical record of quite large human rights violations, so it is very important to know and learn about the recognition of human rights between the two countries and the implementation of public policies related to human rights in these two countries, namely Indonesia and Myanmar. This study aims to analyze, discuss, and provide an overview or view of the differences in the recognition of human rights between Indonesia and Myanmar from the perspective of international law, while also analyzing the implementation of public policies related to rules and laws regarding human rights. human rights in both countries through legislative mechanisms and public policy practices, especially in Indonesia and Myanmar. The method used in this study is a normativelegal method with data analysis techniques through literature studies, collecting information from various sources, including reports from international and national human rights organizations, academic publications, journals, and other information sources related to human rights. The main findings show that there are several differences in the recognition of human rights between Indonesia and Myanmar based on international conventions on human rights.In addition, the implementation of rules or laws on human rights in both countries also has its own challenges, such as the weak protection system for victims of human rights violations and local cultural factors. The conclusion of this research is that, despite progress in implementing international standards on human rights in Indonesia and Myanmar, there are still some challenges that need to be overcome. Therefore, there is a need for further efforts from the government and civil society to increase the recognition and protection of human rights in the two countries. This research provides a deeper understanding of comparative human rights in Indonesia and Myanmar, as well as valuable insights for efforts to improve and protect human rights in both countries.