Abstract The global community was alarmed at what will become the human rights situation of girls and women in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of the USA from the polity and the political ascendancy of the Taliban government in 2021. As expected, Afghan girls and women have been facing severe violations of human rights since the Taliban government gained political power; citing cultural relativism. This cultural relativist excuse of the Taliban government has however been countered by the universality of human rights that Afghan girls and women are entitled to certain freedoms by virtue of being humans. The UN Women, among other human rights vanguards, have been serving as a platform to provide safe haven for women against the violations of human rights by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Understanding that gender discrimination situation is what UN Women aims to address falls within the constructivist contention of relativity and universality of human rights, this study draws on secondary sources of data to examine the context of interplay between ethnicity, culture, politics and human rights of girls and women in Afghanistan. The study also interrogates counter-narratives of the Afghan people against the Taliban’s position and provides a clear argument of how UN Women has been able to provide support for Afghan women and girls. The study argues that UN Women, despite the Taliban’s unapologetic abuse and violations of women and girls rights, is able to provide support for women and girls who suffer gender discrimination in Afghanistan. The study concludes that the cultural relativist excuse of the Taliban does not, in its entirety, represent the cultural norms and attitudes of the Afghan societies. Gender apartheid was not a consistent order of the multi-ethnic configuration in Afghanistan and the political leaders who have ruled at different times had different policy dispositions to women.

Abstract This article analyses the adoption in February 2025 of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. The piece argues that there is a crucial need for regional human rights systems to adopt treaty provisions on violence against women, particularly in light of the fact that there are currently no such provisions at the UN level. The AU Convention constitutes a vital step in combating gender-based violence, and it is of particular significance that this instrument is the first of the regional human rights treaties on violence against women to refer expressly to the context of cyberspace. The article argues that a number of potential problems may however serve to hinder the effectiveness of the new Convention. Additionally, it is argued that the adoption of this instrument informs the debate surrounding the need for treaty provisions on violence against women at the UN level.

Abstract Academic literature is scarce on the use of artificial intelligence ( ai ) in statelessness determination and its human rights consequences. Most existing research in the migratory context focuses on the use of ai , machine learning, algorithms and automated decision-making in refugee status determination and temporary resident visa applications. Drawing on this growing body of academic literature, this article addresses this gap by examining the potential human rights challenges that could arise if ai machine learning algorithms completely replaces human decision-makers in the determination of statelessness. These challenges will be explored within the context of non-discrimination, procedural fairness, and privacy. The article also argues that, despite these challenges, the use of ai should not be entirely dismissed. It further proposes ways in which ai can assist human decision-makers in the statelessness determination process – particularly with tasks that do not involve the determination of an individual’s stateless status. The article, however, argues that the partial use of ai may still raise human rights concerns such as privacy risk and it proposes strategies to mitigate potential risks.

Abstract This article examines gender-determined vulnerability within the context of the Istanbul Convention, which aims to combat violence against women and domestic violence. It discusses the implementation challenges faced by States, particularly Poland, in addressing culturally motivated crimes like forced marriage and female genital mutilation. The article analyses whether recent legal changes align with the Convention’ s goals and explore the impact of grevio’s evaluations on national criminal laws. The study emphasises the need to tackle underlying gender inequalities and stereotypes to effectively protect vulnerable groups and ensure justice for victims of violence.

Abstract The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has addressed tax-related issues in its concluding observations following the review of State Party reports and in its general comments, recognizing their impact on the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. Drawing upon this work, the Committee reminds States Parties and other stakeholders of the importance of adopting a human rights-based approach when designing their tax policies and international tax cooperation mechanisms. With the present statement, the Committee seeks to provide guidance on States Parties’ obligations under the Covenant with respect to these areas, emphasizing the need to ensure that tax policies promote equality and non-discrimination, and the mobilization of resources for the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. In doing so, it aims to assist States Parties in better aligning their decision-making with those obligations, both in ongoing United Nations and regional processes and in their domestic tax policies.

Abstract This article examines the advances and setbacks in the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or the Strasbourg Court) on serious violations of human rights since its first major judgment: the ‘Greek Case’. In particular, it focuses on the arguments advanced by the ECtHR to justify the use of criminal law as a means to ensure the respect and guarantee of human rights. The article also considers the scope assigned to the duty to investigate and punish serious violations of human rights, as well as the Court’s interpretation of the principle of legality and the applicability of statutory limitations to these crimes. The article makes references to the crime of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture, extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances.

Abstract Childhood is universally seen as a period of nurturing, but this can be disrupted by crime, especially when children are victims or witnesses of offences like sexual abuse. While child testimony is often essential for securing convictions, the trauma associated with legal proceedings creates significant challenges. In Ghana, the Children’s Act 1998 and the Juvenile Justice Act 2003 offer some protection, but they do not fully address the specific rights of child victims and witnesses. This article analyses the legal framework for the protection of child witnesses in Ghana, exploring its shortcomings, particularly the common law rules on corroboration, hearsay, and cross-examination. It also highlights gaps regarding privacy, medical care, and emotional support of child witnesses and victims and suggests reforms to improve their protection and support in the criminal justice system.