Rereading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: plurality and contestation, not consensus

In this paper I examine the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. My analysis counters conventional narratives of consensus and imposition that characterize the development of the UN human rights regime. The central argument is that within the founding text of the contemporary human rights movement there is an ambiguous account of rights, which exceeds easy categorization of international rights as universal moral principles or merely an ideological imposition by liberal powers. Acknowledging this ambiguous history, I argue, opens the way to an understanding of human rights as an ongoing politics, a contestation over the terms of legitimate political authority and the meaning of “humanity” as a political identity

HIV, disability and discrimination: making the links in international and domestic human rights law

Stigma and discrimination constitute one of the greatest barriers to dealing effectively with the HIV epidemic, underlying a range of human rights violations and hindering access to prevention, care, treatment and support. There is some existing protection against HIV-based discrimination under international law, but the extent of states' obligations to address such discrimination has not been comprehensively addressed in an international instrument

45th Activity Report of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

This 45th Activity Report of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR or the Commission), which was presented to the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in accordance with Article 54 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter or the Charter), covers the period from 10 May to 13 November 2018. It highlights, among others: the statutory and other institutional meetings of the Commission; the status of State reporting; Resolutions adopted by the Commission; the human rights complaints before the Commission; the various interventions of the Commission on human rights issues including Urgent Appeal Letters, Press Releases and Letters of Appreciation; the human rights situation on the continent; financial, staffing and operational matters of the Commission; implementation of the Recommendations of the Executive Council and Recommendations to the different stakeholders

E/CN.4/1994/L.86/Rev.1

Albania*, Bahrain*, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brueni Darussaiam*, Chile, Germany, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland*, Jordan*, Kuwait*, Malawi, Malaysia, Muritius, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia*, Sebgal*, Sudan, Sweeden*, Syrian Arab Republic, and Turkey Draft Resolution; Question of the Violation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in any Part of the World, with Particular Reference to Colonial and Other Dependent Countries and Territories; Rape and Abuse of Women in the Former Yugoslaviahttps://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/documents_780/1097/thumbnail.jp

E/CN.4/1994/L.80

Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark*, France, Hungary, Ireland*, Italy, Japan, Norway*, Polans, Slovenia*, Sweeden*, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, and Uruguay Draft Resolution; Question of the Violation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in any Part of the World, with Particular Reference to Colonial and Other Dependent Countries and Territorieshttps://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/documents_780/1096/thumbnail.jp

E/CN.4/1992/s-2/6

Report of the Commission on Human Rights in its Second Special Sessionhttps://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/documents_780/1091/thumbnail.jp

Establishing a meaningful human rights due diligence process for corporations : learning from experience of human rights impact assessment

The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Business and Human Rights, Professor John Ruggie, has constructed a new international framework, which is set to become the cornerstone for all action on human rights and business at the international level. The principle of human rights due diligence (HRDD) is the central component of the corporate duty to respect human rights within that framework. This article argues that Ruggie's HRDD principle contains the majority of the core procedural elements that a reasonable human rights impact assessment (HRIA) process should incorporate. It is likely that the majority of corporations will adopt HRIA as a mechanism for meeting their due diligence responsibilities. However, in the context of the contentious debate around corporate human rights performance, the current state of the art in HRIA gives rise to concerns about the credibility and robustness of likely practice. Additional requirements are therefore essential if HRDD is to have a significant impact on corporate human rights performance – requirements in relation to transparency; external participation and verification; and independent monitoring and review

The capabilities approach and critical social policy: lessons from the majority world?

The capabilities approach (CA) most closely associated with the thinner and thicker versions of Sen and Nussbaum has the potential to provide a paradigm shift for critical social policy, encompassing but also transcending some of the limitations associated with the Marshallian social citizenship approach. The article argues, however, that it cannot simply be imported from the majority world, rather there is a need to bear in mind the critical literature that developed around it. This is generally discussed and then critically applied to case studies of CA in the developed capitalist world, particularly the Equalities Review conducted for the Equality and Human Rights Commission