Justice and accountability for human rights violations occupy a major place on the stage of international relations, both in the multilateral system anchored in the United Nations, as well as more globally. In recent decades, human rights norms and treaties have proliferated, a wide variety of international mechanisms to address violations were created, and a general commitment to combat impunity for those who violate these rights has emerged.
Regardless of the widespread implementation of (…)
The ICM hosted a public consultation on June 14th on its discussion paper “Justice, Human Rights, and the International Legal System.”
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The United Nations Charter underscores the vital importance of promoting respect for fundamental human rights, including to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development. In addition to the robust normative framework on universal human rights, the UN has established a variety of mechanisms to assist states with implementing their (…)
Despite the development of a variety of mechanisms to assist states in meeting their human rights obligations under international law, significant challenges in terms of implementation and compliance remain. This paper explores these challenges and offers recommendations to strengthen the multilateral system’s capacity to promote and ensure respect for human rights and foster accountability and justice for violations.
Interviews
The international community and UN Security Council have faced a multitude of crises over the last few years, but there’s little to no accountability for the crimes being committed within them, said Philippe Bolopion, Deputy Director for Global Advocacy at Human Rights Watch.
“The most blatant example of this is the situation in Syria, where crimes against humanity and war crimes have been committed for years now,” he said, “where according to the UN close to 250,000 people have been (…)
Despite its emphasis on addressing crimes that took place in the past, transitional justice should always focus on making improvements for the future, according to Priscilla Hayner, the author of Unspeakable Truths: Transitional Justice and the Challenge of Truth Commissions.
Ms. Hayner said transitional justice institutions such as truth commissions could play an important role in this process, and urged more emphasis to be placed on implementing their recommendations.
“I think [what is (…)