Rights Of Vulnerable Groups Research Articles

Disentangled contrastive learning for fair graph representations

Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) play a key role in efficiently learning node representations of graph-structured data through message passing, but their predictions are often correlated with sensitive attributes and thus lead to potential discrimination against some groups. Given the increasingly widespread applications of GNNs, solutions are required urgently to prevent algorithmic discrimination associated with GNNs, to protect the rights of vulnerable groups and to build trustworthy artificial intelligence. To learn the fair node representations of graphs, we propose a novel framework, the Fair Disentangled Graph Neural Network (FDGNN). With the proposed FDGNN framework, we enhance data diversity by generating instances that have identical sensitivity values but different adjacency matrices through data augmentation. Additionally, we design a counterfactual augmentation strategy for constructing instances with varying sensitive values while preserving the same adjacency matrices, thereby balancing the distribution of sensitive values across different groups. Subsequently, we employ a disentangled contrastive learning strategy to acquire disentangled representations of non-sensitive attributes such that sensitive information does not affect the prediction of node information. Finally, the learned fair representations of non-sensitive attributes are employed for building a fair predictive model. Extensive experiments on three real-world datasets demonstrate that FDGNN yields the best fairness predictions compared to the baseline methods. Additionally, the results demonstrate the potential of disentanglement in learning fair representations.

Beyond Confinement: A Legal Exploration of the Rights of Vulnerable Groups in the Indonesian Correctional System

The Indonesian correctional system, while tasked with upholding justice, grapples with the challenge of safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups within its confines. This study delves into the legal framework and practical realities concerning the rights of these groups, encompassing women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, within the Indonesian prison system. The research employs a hybrid methodology, integrating normative legal analysis with empirical insights gleaned from interviews and case studies. The normative legal analysis scrutinizes pertinent laws, regulations, and international human rights instruments to gauge the extent of legal protection afforded to vulnerable groups in the correctional context. The empirical component, through interviews with correctional officers, inmates, and legal experts, sheds light on the lived experiences of these groups and the practical implementation of their rights. The study reveals a complex interplay between legal provisions and ground realities. While Indonesian law enshrines the rights of vulnerable groups, their actualization within the correctional system faces formidable obstacles. Overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and limited access to rehabilitation programs disproportionately impact these groups, hindering their reintegration into society. In conclusion, our study underscores the imperative of bridging the chasm between legal safeguards and their practical implementation. It advocates for targeted interventions, including enhanced healthcare provisions, specialized rehabilitation programs, and heightened sensitivity training for correctional staff, to ensure the holistic well-being and successful reintegration of vulnerable groups within the Indonesian correctional system.

Farmer’s Knowledge on Utilization of Chemical Fertilizers as Soil Fertility Enhancement Option in Ruhumuro Sub-County, Bushenyi District

The study focused on assessing the farmer’s knowledge on utilization of chemical fertilizers as soil fertility enhancement option in Ruhumuro sub-county, Bushenyi district. It was limited to; establishing the local farmers’knowledge on the use of chemical fertilizers, investigating the factors that influence farmers’ decisions to utilize chemical fertilizers and establishing the benefits that local farmers achieve from utilizing chemical fertilizers. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and primary data was collected from 200 respondents. the data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The study concluded that farmers had local knowledge on use of chemical fertilizers where they revealed that, fertilizer use is influenced by on agro-climatic conditions and farm characteristics at (p=.027), profitability is the principal incentive to adopt fertilizer use at (p=.021), fertilizer use ensure high productivity and yields at (p=.003). The decisions on fertilizer use has mainly considered credit access and price at (p=.026) Fertilizer use alter the soil properties at p= (.029). Fertilizer applied to farmers’ crops do not provide optimal economic returns to farmers as (p=.312) as non-significant. The study also concluded that there were factors that influence the farmers’ decisions to utilize chemical fertilizers. Such as; ownership of land (p=.022), labour avialability (p=.024), Cost of the fertilizers (p=.004) and un-availability of credit services/financial institutions offering services (p=.028). Non-significant factors included; farming experience and level of education (p=.427, p=.369). The study concluded that there were benefits that local farmers achieve from utilizing chemical fertilizers. Such as; Restoration of soil fertility (<i>x<sup>2</sup></i> = 3.002, p=0.021), Sustainable food production (<i>x<sup>2 </sup></i>= 2.441, p=0.001), Income security (<i>x<sup>2</sup></i> = 0.871, p= 0.010), Improvement of crop yields (<i>x<sup>2</sup></i> = 3.123, p=0.023) and Contribute to greenhouse effect (<i>x<sup>2</sup></i> = 4.211, p=0.141) which was not significant. The study recommends that, there is a need for policymakers and agricultural stakeholders to consider the social, economic, and environmental implications of the widespread use of chemical fertilizers. Constant extension training services on chemical fertilizer use should be done to help farmers use the recommended dosage of fertilizers to avoid environmental degradation due to lack of adequate knowledge on fertilizer utilization. Government should undertake legal reforms to recognize and protect the rights of vulnerable groups to own and use land. They should also put in place mechanisms to ensure that the law is enforced.

Del androcentrismo hacia un nuevo enfoque de la transversalización de la perspectiva de género a través de la Corte Interamericana

The primary goal of this research is to introduce a new approach to mainstreaming gender perspective, which includes not only women and girls but also the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) population. The study begins by examining the androcentric view of society, which has fostered its heteronormativity and patriarchal system. It then explores the evolution of the concepts of gender perspective and gender identity. Finally, the analysis evaluates judgments and advisory opinions issued by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) on matters concerning non-discrimination, sexual orientation, family, work, and equal protection under the law. These legal decisions establish reparative actions to safeguard and advance the rights of vulnerable groups. The study also aims to underscore the reparative measures concerning non-repetition guarantees, which the Inter-American Court advocates to promote mechanisms and public policies that States must adopt to overcome barriers of discrimination and social stigma that continue to impact Latin American societies.

The Continuous Precarious Situation of the Refugees and Migrant Workers in Malaysia Post-COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic positioned the global population in a conundrum state and the most vulnerable were the refugees and migrant workers. It is a common narrative for governments and the people to treat them indifferently because of their illegal status thus creating a xenophobic environment against them. A similar situation occurred for these vulnerable groups in Malaysia during managing and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 resulting in the Malaysian government neglecting the fundamental human rights to protect the refugees and migrant workers from discrimination, abuse, and exploitation. By international standards, Malaysia is far from defending the rights of vulnerable groups, particularly the plight of refugees and migrant workers. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight and discuss the qualm conditions of these refugees and migrant workers during COVID-19 and the continuous precarious situation against them. Data was gathered from primary and secondary sources such as official statements, mainstream media and reports from local and international organisations. Findings show that the precarious situation remains the same for these vulnerable people, hence the Malaysian government should seriously work out comprehensive policies to alleviate the abysmal condition against them.

Protecting people with disabilities’ data privacy in government information disclosure: facilitation by procurator-led public-interest litigation

Improper processing of sensitive personal data concerning disabled people in government information disclosure not only violates their privacy rights but also leads to discrimination, stigmatization, and other serious secondary harm, that have long been overlooked. China’s procurator-led public-interest litigation system is a powerful tool for protecting the privacy rights of vulnerable groups. This paper contends that procurator-led public-interest litigation, as a supplement to and support for private-interest litigation, assists the Chinese government in fulfilling its international obligations to protect the right to privacy of disabled people.

Formation and development of prerequisites for international legal protection of vulnerable population groups: historical and legal discourse

The article is devoted to highlighting the process of formation and development of the prerequisites for the creation of a modern set of norms of international law, aimed at protecting vulnerable groups of the population - parts of society with different numbers, with an increased risk compared to other groups or the rest of society of being affected by the effects of a discriminatory nature, becoming victims of violence (especially during armed conflicts), natural, man-made disasters or economic shocks. Usually, the term “vulnerable groups” is used for the elderly, children, certain categories of women, refugees, people with disabilities, migrant workers, indigenous peoples and national minorities, religious minorities. The chronological boundaries of the study cover the period from ancient times to 1919.Today, despite the apparent legal protection, these population groups in their everyday life still continue to face manifestations of discrimination and social stigmatization, despite the fact that international law emphasizes the principle of respect for human rights and declares the equality of people in their rights (political, economic, environmental, etc.), regardless of certain specific factors, including the nature or degree of their vulnerability.This problem became particularly acute with the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Such exceptional actualization is due to the fact that in wartime, unfavorable external and internal factors (primarily humanitarian, economic, ecological) that affect the risks of various most vulnerable categories of people falling into difficult life circumstances, compared to peacetime, are extremely intensified.The article emphasizes that in relation to the era of pre-classical international law, there is no reason to speak of any systematic protection of vulnerable categories of the population. At that time, we see only individual manifestations of a compassionate attitude towards women, children, the disabled, and the elderly. There were no special international legal acts in this area.It was noted that the actual formation of the foundations of international legal protection of vulnerable population groups took place only in the era of classical international law, especially in the second half of the 19th - at the beginning of the 20th century. An important place in the protection of vulnerable categories of the population at the end of the 19th century. signed agreements that specifically laid the international legal foundations for the protection of women, primarily the fight against trafficking in women. During this period, a number of international treaties aimed at protecting the poorest sections of the population were concluded. Among them are agreements on mutual support of poor sailors, sick people, abandoned children, etc. At the same time, important steps were taken to ensure the protection of the rights of religious minorities. An important milestone on the way to the creation of an international legal basis for the protection of vulnerable sections of the population during wartime was the adoption of the Geneva Convention on the Amelioration of the Fate of Wounded and Sick Soldiers in Land War on August 22, 1864, the Brussels Declaration on the Laws and Customs of War of 1874, the Hague the Convention on the Laws and Customs of the Land War of 1907, which, although not directly aimed at protecting the rights of vulnerable groups of the population, were nevertheless tentatively aimed at the implementation of this task.

Can Digitalization Foster Sustainable Financial Inclusion? Opportunities for Both Banks and Vulnerable Groups

Financial inclusion is a crucial link in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Strengthening the capability of financial institutions to provide inclusive financial services can help to narrow the inequality gap and increase access to opportunities. Digitalization, with its competitive advantages and rapid growth, may be a powerful tool to foster financial inclusion and sustainable development. This paper examines the effects of bank digitalization on sustainable financial inclusion and explores two underlying incentive mechanisms in banks: profit driven and risk aversion. We construct a basic model and a mechanism model and exploit a nonlinear attempt, heterogeneous estimation as well as supplementary variable and instrument variable methods for a robustness test. The results of the basic model demonstrate that bank digitalization has significant positive effects on financial inclusion and the current financial inclusive effects are sustainable. The mechanism models designed as the mediation effect panel model suggest that digitalization enables banks to expand the business probability frontier of profit-driven behavior and pursuit of credit portfolio diversity in risk aversion behavior, thereby promoting sustainable financial inclusion. As a result of digitalization, vulnerable groups can benefit from sustainable financial inclusion, while financial inclusion feeds back into banks’ sustainable development. This paper conforms to the trend of the development of digitalization and provides theoretical and empirical support for banks to build digitalization and realize sustainable financial inclusion, which contributes to the “triple-win” financial ecology for improving banks’ performance, increasing the rights of vulnerable groups and promoting sustainable development throughout society.

“数据鸿沟”下重构弱势群体权利

“数据鸿沟”下重构弱势群体权利

Research on Protection of Basic Rights of Vulnerable Groups in “Digital Divide”

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Enhancing Access to Digital Culture for Vulnerable Groups: The Role of Public Authorities in Breaking Down Barriers.

This article discusses which barriers hamper access to, and participation in, cultural life for members of vulnerable groups, in particular persons belonging to old and new minorities and persons with disabilities in the context of digitization. It then examines what role public authorities can play in addressing and dismantling these barriers. The article adopts a bottom-up approach, in that it is based on a qualitative study, which gives voice to vulnerable groups. The qualitative research involved interviews with different organisations representing, or working with, vulnerable groups in 12 European Union Member States (Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta and Spain). In that regard, the article approaches vulnerability from a distinct conceptual standpoint, identifying vulnerability as a condition caused by structural barriers. On the whole, the article shows that, while digitization of cultural content, goods and services, offers increased opportunities for culture to be democratised and for its consumption by wider and more varied audiences to be enhanced, it also engenders structural barriers and creates additional challenges. Furthermore, while digitisation has ensured more diverse representation in cultural content, vulnerable groups still face stereotypical and negative portrayals within mainstream cultural content. The thematic analysis of the qualitative interviews also captures different dimensions of access to digital cultural and supports the identification of effective policy measures to bridge the 'digital divide' and assist in the fulfilment of cultural rights of vulnerable groups.

Ensuring the Rights of Vulnerable Groups in the Legislative Process in Vietnam

In recent years, Vietnam has actively and vigorously developed and strengthened law enforcement and facilitated access to the law to protect human rights and legitimate interests. After formulating the Judicial Reform Strategy and implementing the law, the State has created favourable conditions for vulnerable groups to participate in Vietnam's political, social, economic, and cultural life. However, it still faces challenges in ensuring and facilitating access to the law and raising legal awareness. In particular, women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and children are the most vulnerable groups. Therefore, this article focuses on the guarantee of the rights of vulnerable groups in the process of law-making in Vietnam today to unveil difficulties and limitations; on that basis, it makes proposals for ensuring the rights of vulnerable groups in the legislative process in the coming time.
 Keywords: Human Rights, Rights of Vulnerable Groups, Law-making

The human right to health, inclusion and essential health care packages in low income countries: “health for all” in Malawi

PurposeHealth in low-income countries has become associated with the provision of minimum guaranteed public health services though Essential Health Packages (EHPs). How far do EHPs deliver the human right to health for all? This study addresses this question through qualitative research into access to health care for vulnerable communities, using Malawi as a case study. This study shows that there are significant accountability gaps and perceptions of weak service provision in Malawi’s EHP in relation to some particularly marginalised (and stigmatised) groups that limit the right to health and the promise of “health for all”.Design/methodology/approachThis study extends the body of qualitative work on EHPs in general and on Malawi in particular by exploring the perceptions of key stakeholders in relation to inclusivity and the delivery of health policies to particularly vulnerable groups. To do so, this study adopted an approach based on interpretive epistemologies (Scott, 2014). This study conducted largely unstructured interviews with a range of health stakeholders, speaking to stakeholders individually, rather than through focus groups due to the potentially sensitive nature of the topic.FindingsThe findings of this study are as follows: limited inclusion of civil society actors and local communities; local communities and local policymakers feel frustration with the gap between the promises of consultation in the EHP and the reality, and the difficulties of not having effective channels of communication; and exclusionary health practices for particularly vulnerable groups.Research limitations/implicationsThere are limitations based on the qualitative methodology, and in terms of the particularly vulnerable groups – the authors studied two such groups (people with disabilities and those who identify as LBTQ) but a wider survey of vulnerable groups is needed to extend and confirm the findings.Practical implicationsGreater attention to the health rights of vulnerable groups would improve access and services, even in the context of resource restrictions. This study suggests that a deeper engagement with human rights-based approaches would pay dividends in terms of increasing access to health in Malawi, even within the constraints of the EHP process. Furthermore, without this, there is the risk that discrimination and exclusion will become more embedded in health policies, rather than progressively minimised.Social implicationsWithout addressing these issues, there is the risk that discrimination and exclusion will become more embedded in health policies, rather than progressively minimised.Originality/valueThis paper makes an important contribution to the growing literatures on EHP in sub-Saharan Africa and Malawi in particular and to the importance of listening to stakeholder perceptions. It provides original data on stakeholder perspectives of the challenges associated with universalising health care in resource-constrained countries. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is one of the first papers to focus on the rights of disabled and LBTQ people in relation to EHPs.

Analisis Hak-Hak Khusus Narapidana Perempuan Yang Merupakan Tanggung Jawab Negara Dilembaga Pemasyarakatan

Inmate is a term for someone who is serving a criminal period of lost independence in the correctional institution, this is the impact of his actions or behavior that legally violates the law and norms of life in the community. Even though they are serving time in prison, their natural rights are still attached to themselves and it should be underlined, that the state only takes their right to independence, not their right to life or anything else, their fundamental rights are still attached to the body. especially when it comes to female prisoners who are classified as vulnerable groups, female prisoners are a vulnerable group because they require special treatment for their needs even though basically their rights are the same as inmates in general, namely male prisoners, but related to gender roles and reproductive functions, they are certainly different and there is a need for special treatment when they are pregnant, giving birth, breastfeeding, nursing or menstruating. The purpose of this research is to examine how the implementation of the fulfillment of the special rights of vulnerable groups of female prisoners in the Penitentiary. The research method uses Normative Legal Techniques where the source of research data comes from library materials, regulations and various journal literature to conclude the results of qualitative descriptive analysis related to the fulfillment of the special rights of female prisoners in Correctional Institutions, especially Women Correctional Institutions in several Correctional Technical Implementing Units in Indonesia.

Research on the Protection of Basic Rights of the Vulnerable Groups in the Digital Divide

Recently, the Hubei face recognition case has aroused widespread concern in the society, and the protection of the basic rights of vulnerable groups in the Digital Divide has once again become a concern of the theoretical and practical circles. The Digital Divide is a phenomenon of social differentiation caused by the development of digital technology to a certain stage. The elderly and other vulnerable groups are limited by their own learning ability and adaptability, and have not been able to integrate into the smart society in time, and the government and enterprises have not paid enough attention to this kind of the additional difficulty of the disadvantaged groups in exercising their rights, so that social contradictions are gradually revealed. Establishing a reasonable social resource allocation mechanism and re-examining the law enforcement process of government departments will play an important role in protecting the basic rights of vulnerable groups in the Digital Divide.

Humanitarian diplomacy and human rights in Latin America. Regional and civilizational specifics

The article is devoted to the study of the Latin American model of humanitarian diplomacy, the identification of its features and the analysis of regional human rights traditions. The specifics of the region, associated with indigenous peoples as beneficiaries of protection, civil conflicts and mass displacement, led to the development of original ideas about humanism and human rights. Latin America has become a pioneer in the formation of such humanitarian institutions as asylum, protection of displaced persons and victims of armed conflicts, and international humanitarian law. The article analyzes the negotiations of humanitarian actors to mitigate the crises in Central America. In the final part, the initiatives of the humanitarian diplomacy of Latin American states in the UN related to the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups – indigenous peoples, women, children, migrants, as well as the fight against violence and discrimination are considered. In conclusion, the author highlights the asymmetric nature of the Latin American model, which combines deep humanistic traditions and active human rights activities with manifestations of violence and inequality, narrowing the possibilities of diplomatic dialogue.

COVID-19 and Sudan: The Impact on Economic and Social Rights in the Context of a Fragile Democratic Transition and Suspended Constitutionalism

AbstractThis article argues that the lockdown imposed in Sudan due to the COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected the livelihood of vulnerable populations and their right to live a dignified life. It explores how emergency measures were aimed at containing the spread of the pandemic. The article argues that these measures have seriously affected the enjoyment of core economic and social rights, particularly in the context of a weak legislative framework of social protection. It concludes by arguing that Sudan's transitional government is not subject to parliamentary scrutiny and exercises legislative and executive powers that are de facto illegitimate, as they are not subject to review by the courts and because of the current suspension of constitutional organs and governance structures. This incomplete governance structure is concerning from a rule of law perspective and has prevented scrutiny of COVID-19 emergency measures, particularly those affecting the basic rights of vulnerable groups.

ДОСТИЖЕНИЕ СОЦИАЛЬНЫХ ЦЕЛЕЙ УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ В УЗБЕКИСТАНЕ: «НИКТО НЕ ДОЛЖЕН ОСТАТЬСЯ БЕЗ ВНИМАНИЯ»

The article is devoted to the review and analysis of measures taken in Uzbekistan in order to achieve the social goals of sustainable development (SDGs). The author notes that all measures are taken taking into account the main motto of the SDGs -“No one should be left behind”, which reflects the main trend in the development of international human rights standards, namely, ensuring special protection of the rights of vulnerable groups of the population. The article notes that the achievement of the SDGs is not only the most important task within the country, but also a priority area of international cooperation in Uzbekistan

Gender as Emotive AI and the Case of ‘Nadia’: Regulatory and Ethical Implications

This article unpacks the regulatory and ethical problematics of the artificial intelligence (AI) powered virtual assistant, ‘Nadia’, developed for use in the Australian Government’s National Disabilities Insurance Agency (NDIA). We explore how Nadia is gendered female, utilises high-risk AI technologies, including emotive-inducing AI and machine learning to monitor highly sensitive health and biometric data, and was developed for use by a group deemed vulnerable to further human rights violations under international law. Drawing from the human rights frameworks of the EU and the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly the rights to data protection law and privacy, we explore how a system like Nadia poses interferences with, and potential violations to, the fundamental human rights of vulnerable groups, and discuss what regulatory provisions and frameworks could have been put in place to safeguard Nadia.

The dawn of vulnerable groups: The inclusive reconstruction mode and strategies for urban villages in China

As informal settlements, urban villages have aggravated social conflicts and affected the habitability of human settlements, and necessitating urgent reconstruction. In view of the exclusion of vulnerable groups in the radical reinvention, this paper aims to explore the inclusive reconstruction mode and strategies for urban villages through on-site surveys, questionnaire surveys, and stakeholder interviews using Nantou Village in Shenzhen as a case study. The results show that reconstruction should enshrine the concept of inclusivity and fully respect the dignity and habitation rights of vulnerable groups. Urban villages are the principal place where vulnerable groups rent accommodation. They are characterized by their high-density residential housing, decrepit material infrastructure, compressed public space, and diversified vulnerable groups. Furthermore, this paper explores strategies of reconstruction from three aspects, namely affordable healthy housing, diversified street space and multi-dimensional historical memories. Unlike the radical reinvention, inclusive reconstruction is a gradual organic micro-renewal mode, which emphasizes bridging social networks while improving physical space. Inclusive reconstruction will increase the possibility of urban villages becoming a dawn for vulnerable groups.