Abuse Of Human Rights Research Articles

Environmental and Humanitarian Law Violations in Bangladesh's Coastal Areas: A Survey Analysis

This study investigates the intersection of environmental and humanitarian law violations in the coastal areas of Bangladesh, focusing on the implications of climate change-induced disasters on vulnerable communities. A quantitative survey was conducted, with 150 respondents representing coastal regions, to gather data on the prevalence of environmental degradation, climate-induced displacement, and human rights violations. Findings reveal a significant correlation between environmental hazards, such as cyclones and sea-level rise, and the displacement of coastal populations, exacerbating socio-economic vulnerabilities and human rights abuses. The study employs a quantitative methods design, analyzing survey data of legal frameworks, policy documents, and scholarly literature. The data was analyzed through Smart PLS 4 for Structural Equational Model (SEM). The purpose of this research is to elucidate the complexities surrounding legal enforcement, policy implementation, and grassroots initiatives aimed at addressing environmental and humanitarian challenges in coastal areas. By providing empirical evidence and insights into the lived experiences of affected communities, this study aims to inform evidence-based policy interventions, legal reforms, and humanitarian strategies to enhance resilience and protect the rights of coastal populations facing the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.

Indirect Cost Burden as an Emerging Issue of Foreign Employment in Developing Nations

Background: The current migration patterns and shifts present significant challenges, including widespread human rights abuses, exploitation of migrant laborers, high indirect costs due to expensive travel, limited affordable credit options, scarce job opportunities for low-skilled workers, and inadequate domestic migration policies. This study aims to identify the additional financial burdens faced by Nepalese migrant workers in Gulf countries. Methodology: A qualitative research design was used, with purposive sampling to select participants who had migrated to Gulf countries. In-depth interviews with 55 migrant laborers were conducted to gather data on cost burdens and employment conditions. Findings: Results showed that the indirect cost burden increased significantly after 2015 due to extended processing periods and technical procedures. Respondents generally preferred regulations before 2015. Despite legal changes like the "Free Visa: Free Ticket" policy reducing direct expenses, intermediaries and other indirect costs have offset this reduction, increasing the financial burden on migrant workers. Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into Nepal's foreign employment complexities, urging more research and measures for migrant worker well-being. Findings reveal intermediaries exploiting workers by altering passport photos or obtaining counterfeit birth certificates. Additionally, 2% of surveyed workers migrated as young returnees before age 18. These insights are essential to empower recruitment agencies and improve their practices, ensuring safer, prompt, and more productive labor migration. Novelty: This study uncovers the hidden financial burdens Nepalese migrant workers face in Gulf countries. It highlights the offsetting effect of intermediaries on legal reforms like the "Free Visa: Free Ticket" policy. It offers new insights into labor exploitation and emphasizes better regulation and worker protection.

Laws Used to Excessively Impede Naming and Shaming in Business and Human Rights: Elite Power?

Abstract This article explores the use of laws to unduly silence critics of corporate human rights abuses. It considers the hypothesis that state and business elites align their interests, fuelling the employment of regulations to excessively impede naming and shaming activities. This article draws on socio-legal and critical legal studies to demonstrate how laws, while typically perceived as protective, can also serve to empower corporations and suppress dissent. It reviews examples of such collusion and calls for further case studies to better understand the interplay between business interests and regulatory practices.

Bringing Realism to the Idealism of Small States: Norway and Atrocity Prevention at the UN Security Council

ABSTRACT This article examines Norway’s approach to the responsibility to protect (R2P) norm and atrocity prevention during its term on the UN Security Council (2021–22). Because it is a small state with high ambitions for its international human rights and humanitarian profile, one might expect Norway to be a strong defender of the R2P norm, in line with the idea that small states are often norm entrepreneurs. However, this article argues that prioritizing R2P and atrocity prevention norms in the Security Council may conflict with other Norwegian foreign policy interests such as peace diplomacy and consensus building. Indeed, in its approach to its Security Council seat, Norway prioritised agendas that fit a neutral, diplomatic approach to conflict prevention and civilian protection. Taking a pragmatic approach to problem solving in the Council was a strategy that served Norwegian interests. In a time when extremely tense global relations hamper the Security Council’s work, small states may not find it in their interest to take strong and outspoken positions on the gravest human rights abuses. Advocates of the R2P norm should look to other institutions to secure international involvement in atrocity prevention and promote R2P.

Accountability for Environmental Human Rights Responsibilities of MNEs: The Case of Enterprises in China

In recent years, the role of MNEs in China's economic development has been significant, yet their activities have also led to environmental degradation and human rights abuses. This paper delves into the intricate issue of environmental human rights accountability of multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in China and examines the theoretical underpinnings and practical challenges in holding MNEs accountable for their environmental human rights impacts. It begins by outlining the basic concepts of MNEs' environmental human rights responsibilities, drawing upon international and domestic legal frameworks. Subsequently, it analyzes the common areas of environmental degradation and human rights violations committed by MNEs in China, highlighting the complexities of jurisdiction and enforcement. The article further explores the difficulties in determining accountability and selecting appropriate jurisdictions for legal redress. Through a comparative analysis of existing legal mechanisms and international practices, the paper proposes recommendations for China and the international community to strengthen accountability mechanisms and enhance regulatory frameworks. Ultimately, the paper aims to contribute to the discourse on ensuring that MNEs operating in China fulfill their environmental human rights responsibilities.

Digital Uprising: Palestinian Activism in the Cyber Colonial Era

This study investigated the evolution and effect of Palestinian digital activism within the setting of cyber colonialism, accentuating the extraordinary capability of digital platforms for political resistance. The ascent of digital media has introduced another time of for Palestinians, empowering them to conquer physical and political hindrances forced by the Israeli occupation. This examination dug into the essential utilization of social media and other internet-based platforms by Palestinians to document human rights abuses, mobilize global support, and challenge dominant narratives. It likewise inspected the double-edged nature of digital technologies, which act as devices for both empowerment and surveillance. Through happy examination, contextual investigations, and meetings with activists, the review features successes and challenges of Palestinian digital activism. The discoveries highlight the meaning of digital spaces in molding worldwide discernment and encouraging fortitude, while additionally uncovering the tireless dangers of restriction and cyber reconnaissance. The paper concluded with proposals for improving the adequacy of digital activism and recommended future examination bearings to additionally grasp its effect on the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.

Companies Operating in Conflict-Affected Environments Without Impacting the Conflict: Between Regular and Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence

Abstract The concept of heightened human rights due diligence (hHRDD) is often used to address corporate responsibilities in situations of armed conflict. For companies in these contexts, the first step is to assess whether their activities impact the conflict and its dynamics, and, as a result, whether they are involved in conflict-related human rights abuses. However, companies often find that they have no impact on the conflict. Should companies in these scenarios just focus on regular human rights due diligence (HRDD)? This piece aims to illustrate, based on the example of Ukraine, the human rights challenges that emerge during a war which companies with no influence on the conflict still face and to respond to the question of whether in such situations companies should still engage in hHRDD or continue to conduct HRDD as usual.

Rainfall shocks and state repression: How rainfall shocks incentivize governments to commit human rights abuses

Rainfall shocks and state repression: How rainfall shocks incentivize governments to commit human rights abuses

‘Ubuntu’ African Philosophy or ‘Ubuntu’ as a Philosophy for Africa

This paper tries to develop a tenable philosophical idea of Ubuntu, that is, more specifically, a crystallized and sanitized African indigenous ethical perspective. Africa as an idea seems to be a “contested” concept in this contemporary post-colonial era due to the influx of different nuances, races, values, and beliefs that are in contention. Should this be a source of worry? So far, Ubuntu theory and practice in Africa seem to have become emotive, politicized, and not inclusive enough due to grandstanding about ownership, poor conceptual and theoretical articulation, as well as antagonism from other related foreign dominant worldviews that wish to become the development paradigm for most African social and political systems. This raises relational and dialogical issues about meaning from an African viewpoint. The search for an African endogenous paradigm for development is urgent given the real consequences of a (neo)colonial tendency that has threatened and disadvantaged the development of most countries due to its dominant paradigms of alienation, exploitation, and marginalization. These values have altered or affected African behaviour and thinking. This transformation of the African personality raises issues about agency. The underlying values of a development paradigm or philosophy of development for Africa require an ethical basis for human existence in political and social order. Generally, social order in most parts of Africa is beset by the problem of a negative dominant social paradigm (DSP) or core social values of hatred, intolerance, the abuse of human rights, dehumanization, exploitation, authoritarianism, poverty, and oppression. This often leads to tension, violent conflicts, and wars. So to build a viable and stable endogenous paradigm for development in most African sociopolitical environments, we attempt to use the main pillar of interconnectedness among human beings, which is central to Ubuntu as a humane and humanistic social system, to underscore some key moral and democratic values required for human liberation and transformation. The research question is: What concrete elements or values of Ubuntu can be useful as paradigms of endogenous African development? Specifically, our findings suggest that Ubuntu ethics is defined by a set of human values central among which are reciprocity, the common good, peaceful relations, an emphasis on human dignity and the value of human life, as well as consensus, tolerance, and mutual respect. Thus, the paper argues for the possibility of utilizing Ubuntu ethical correlates as materials for establishing stable and viable development worldwide and specifically in Africa.

The need for a socioecological harm reduction approach to reduce illegal wildlife trade.

The burgeoning illegal trade in succulents in southern Africa presents a critical conservation and social development challenge. Drawing parallels with the trajectory of the response to rhinoceros poaching, we considered the consequences of conservation law enforcement measures, particularly the militarization of antipoaching efforts. The response to rhinoceros poaching not only resulted in so-called green militarization, but also led to extrajudicial killings, human rights abuses, and the disproportionate targeting of low-level poachers. The nature of wildlife trade prohibition is complex and often contested, and many actors operating in illegal wildlife trades dispute the label of illegal for socioeconomic, cultural, historical, or political reasons. This contestation is crucial when considering Indigenous cultural and medicinal values of succulents, with Indigenous Peoples and local communities questioning the criminalization of traditional plant harvesting practices. As the illegal trade in succulents continues to grow, it is imperative for conservationists to consider a nuanced approach. We call for a socioecological harm reduction approach that emphasizes community engagement, sustainable use, and codesigned interventions. Such an approach could help balance the scales of ecological conservation and human dignity in the face of growing wildlife trade challenges.

Commissions of inquiry and transitional justice in India: accountability, acknowledgment, and truth in the aftermath of communal violence

ABSTRACT This article examines the contributions made by commissions of inquiry to transitional justice in the aftermath of violent conflict. Drawing on data from India, where commissions of inquiry are routinely instituted in response to episodes of communal violence, it assesses the contributions made by 26 commissions established between 1980 and the present to addressing human rights abuses. The article demonstrates that although some of India’s commissions of inquiry have made concrete contributions to uncovering the truth about human rights violations, acknowledging the rights of victims, and holding perpetrators to account, they have more often served to obscure the truth and avoid accountability for human rights violations. It argues that hey do this both to uphold the legitimacy of the democratic state and to protect powerful actors implicated in perpetrating, inciting, or failing to prevent human rights violations, using strategies of denial, blame shifting, and inaction.

Ferociously Cute

Indonesia’s 2024 presidential election campaign was shaped by an alliance struck between outgoing incumbent Joko (Jokowi) Widodo and a former rival, Prabowo Subianto, who chose Jokowi’s son as his running mate. The seeming affirmation of dynastic power drew criticism, as did Prabowo’s former associations with the authoritarian New Order regime and its human rights abuses. But Prabowo remade his image with his promises of free school lunches and a new “cute” persona while pledging continuity with his popular predecessor’s administration, demonstrating the ambiguities of Indonesian democracy a quarter-century after the end of the New Order era.

Third Time's the Charm:The Youth Vote and Prabowo's Victory in the 2024 Indonesian Presidential Election

After previous failed attempts, Prabowo Subianto won the 2024 Indonesian presidential election. In this article, we outline the events that unfolded in the run-up to the election before analyzing the drivers of Indonesian voting behaviour based on original survey data. Our analyses underscore the importance of transformations in the generational composition of the Indonesian electorate: younger voters, especially those born after the return of democracy, are fuelling its erosion with their support of a former general accused of human rights abuses. In addition to benefitting from the support of incumbent President Joko Widodo, we argue that Prabowo's victory was underpinned by a sophisticated social media campaign, the waning memory of Indonesia's authoritarian past, and a young populace anxious about their economic prospects.

“Disempowered by the transition”: Manipulated and coerced agency in displacements induced by accelerated extraction of energy transition minerals in Zimbabwe

The haste to reach the net zero emissions target induces a high demand for energy transition minerals (ETMs) required to produce renewable energy technologies. This demand also translates to “accelerated” extraction of the ETMs exposing communities to displacement risks and associated human rights abuses. In order to acquire access to ETMs deposits, governments and extractive companies are collaboratively displacing communities residing on or close to these deposits through manipulation and coercion. The theme of manipulated and coerced agency is the foci of this manuscript. I show how the “urgency” to decarbonize and fast- tracked ETMs mining interact to induce displacements in absence of due diligence. Urgency by mining companies to extract minerals interacts with weak governance and corruption to induce forced resettlement characterized by manipulation of consent in regions where ETMs are concentrated. This article focuses on the case of Buhera district (south-eastern Zimbabwe) where communities were displaced due to lithium mining activities at the Sabi Star mine (run by a Chinese mining company known as Max Mind) to elucidate how manipulation and coercion were utilized to get people to agree to “unfair” resettlement terms. The resettlement programme was deliberately jumbled to confuse peasants so that they consent to a flawed displacement scheme. In the aftermath, people agreed to hasty removals coupled with unfair compensation resulting in their impoverishment. The Buhera case is an epitome of the political ecologies of energy transitions and displacements prevailing across the global south, that needs to be urgently addressed if we are to achieve a fairer and just energy transition. The article leans on the political ecology arguments to argue its case. Information regarding this case was gathered through listening to publicly available documentaries, extensive literature review, media reports and qualitative interviews. In the discussion and conclusions, important steps to enhance the resettled people's agency and participation in ETMs resettlements are recommended. These steps potentially promote successful resettlements that translate into just and sustainable transitions.

Land sovereignty in depressed and contested agro-territories: The cases of Portugal and Brazil

This article offers an exploratory operationalisation of the concept of land sovereignty applied to land politics in 2 agro-territories from different countries and continents sharing a common language and deeply linked histories: Portugal and Brazil. These display a similar model of agricultural development, representing a contradiction between the promise of profit based on aggressive exploitation of the territory and the marginalised condition of its population. How this agricultural model took hold in each country and manifested the agrarian question differs according to key socio-historical factors, such as the role of each in the colonial history that links them. Today, however, these agro-territories face similar challenges: human rights abuses, environmental destruction, lack of sound territorial management and fair policies, coupled with the dilapidation of socio-economic infrastructures. This makes them especially vulnerable to climate change, unemployment and poverty, while also caught in a clash between development models: a hegemonic hyper-intensive production model and the peasant-based model that has been resisting the advances of the former. This double jeopardy has prompted us to speak of ‘depressed and contested agro-territories’. Our study shows how, in the case of Brazil, despite physical violence and threats to life, social movements are propelling land reform, linking it to the concept of the social function of land. In Portugal, in contrast, the country’s alignment with neoliberal development has civil society divided about how to contest land use. Our analysis indicates that in both cases: (i) today’s land politics are heavily biased towards a neoliberal, export-based, hyper-intensive agriculture controlled by large corporations, with weak legislation in place to defend both social and environmental rights; (ii) land reform based on land sovereignty and the social function of land is deemed crucial to assist agro-territories in regaining socio-ecological balance and to attain democratisation of land politics by regaining control over land, natural resources and local markets.

The Case for Arts in Reconciliation and Peacebuilding in Africa

In the aftermath of a violent conflict, especially where there have been mass atrocities, violations of the rule of law and human rights abuses, the achievement of reconciliation and peacebuilding remains an immensely difficult challenge. Recently, arts-based approaches to reconciliation and peacebuilding have been supported as an emerging area of research and practice. It is increasingly being seen as a central facet of peace-building and transitional justice. Despite this, arts-based approaches to peacebuilding as an area of study and practice remain under-researched. There remains a gap in understanding the impact community-devised arts projects can have on peace formation amongst diverse actors. This paper fills this gap by analysing the academic evidence to determine how arts can positively promote peacebuilding, healing, reconciliation, and social transformation in Africa. The paper highlights the role that arts and cultural programmes play as part of a spectrum of interventions linking culture, security, and development to sustainable peace. The findings show how arts can be utilised as a powerful means of communication. It suggests programmes that could serve as measures when locally led with an understanding founded in local cultural traditions. The research draws caution against the ability of arts to transform conflict-ridden areas where there is propaganda and underlying agendas. This paper identifies possible future agendas of research and practice that could create evidence based on the role that arts play in peacebuilding and policies to ensure sustainable peace and reconciliation.

Vains of Ink and Blood: The Cost of Truth for Fearless Women

Abstract: In a world where information holds the power to change reality, mass media and journalists play a crucial role in uncovering the truth and upending the power system. Among them, women journalists stand out not only for their journalistic prowess but also for their courage in the face of challenging circumstances. Women journalists bring diverse perspectives to the newsroom, which ensures more comprehensive coverage of a news story that helps highlight issues that are often overlooked or underrepresented such as gender-based violence, human rights abuses, and social inequalities. Despite their significant contributions they have to face gender discrimination in the workplace, unequal pay, limited opportunities, and even have to sacrifice their life to reveal the truth. The primary objective of this research paper is to examine the tragic incidents such as murder or harassment of women journalists and discuss the case study. Based on existing secondary data a qualitative analysis will be conducted on this paper. The findings of this exploratory study will highlight the critical role journalists play in exposing corruption, violence or injustice. In order to maintain press freedom and protect individuals who challenge power systems, this study will shed light on the need for their security as well as the protection of journalists, especially women.

Measuring absence: Narrative obstacles to counting contemporary enforced disappearances in Latin America

Statistics hold the potential to lend political urgency to otherwise seemingly isolated human rights abuses. Yet, despite the persistence of the problem, statistics on enforced disappearances in contemporary non-civil war Latin American democracies are rare. This article examines the available statistics found in the annual human rights reports of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the US State Department and assesses the narratives that accompany them. The article argues that the reports’ narrative frames present three key obstacles to the statistical visibility of enforced disappearances in contemporary Latin America that pertain to the definition of problem, whose information is included (voice), and the narrative’s clarity and consistency. These obstacles affect case counts and, consequently, the political urgency attributed to the need for accountability and policy change.

Coalition Governments and the Quest for Accountability in Kenya

Abstract The role of coalition governments in promoting accountability has gained traction among scholars recently, especially in Africa. Whilst coalition governments are formed for different reasons – office-seeking and policy-oriented motives, these motives often influence how the coalition governments propagate and inculcate the principles of good governance while in government. In Kenya, three coalition governments emerged between 2002–2017. The emergence of these three coalition governments followed a prolonged struggle on the part of the citizens both within and outside the country with the goal of restoring good governance. The central argument of this paper is that, whilst coalition governments initiated a raft of reforms – institutional, legal and policy aimed at promoting accountability in government, very little was achieved to this end. Accountability challenges, including corruption, human rights abuses, elite impunity and state capture, remained endemic in government institutions. In some cases, service provision deteriorated. Given this scenario, this paper argues that there is a need to go beyond enacting good laws and policies. The focus should be on implementation and enforcement. In the long run, this will guarantee sustainable accountability in government institutions. Secondly, a constituency of like-minded citizens should continue agitating for accountability as part of the broader national interest and holding coalition governments accountable.

Self-Reported Physical Activity and Mental Health Among Asylum Seekers in a Refugee Camp.

Global forced displacement has been rising steeply since 2015 as a result of wars and human rights abuses. Forcibly displaced people are often exposed to physical and mental strain, which can cause traumatic experiences and poor mental health. Physical activity has been linked with better mental health, although such evidence is scarce among those populations. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships of self-reported physical activity and fitness with mental health indices among people residing in a refugee camp in Greece as asylum seekers. Participants were 151 individuals (76 women, 75 men; mean age 28.90y) displaced from their homes for an average of 32.03months. Among them, 67% were from Afghanistan and countries from southwest Asia, and 33% from sub-Saharan African countries. Participants completed self-report measures assessing physical activity, fitness, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and well-being. High prevalence of mental health disorder symptoms and poor well-being were identified, with women and Asians showing poorer mental health. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety were related to perceived fitness, but not to self-reported physical activity. Regression analysis showed that perceived fitness (β: 0.34; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.52) and low-intensity physical activity (β: 0.24; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.009) significantly positively predicted well-being, showing small to medium effect. The findings provide useful insights regarding the link between physical activity and well-being; nevertheless, further research examining objectively measured physical activity is warranted to complement these data and further explore the associations between physical activity and mental health.