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161. A Collaborative Approach to Human Rights Impact Assessments

Author:
Columbia Centre on Sustainable Investment
Publication Date:
09-2017
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Abstract:
This discussion paper, co-authored with the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Sciences Po Law School Clinic, proposes a new approach to conducting human rights impact assessments (HRIAs) of business operations or projects, which brings together project-affected people, the company, and other stakeholders to jointly design and implement an assessment. The aim of this new approach is to address one of the key challenges of current HRIA practices: the limited engagement and participation of relevant stakeholders, which can undermine effectiveness and trust.
Topic:
Human Rights and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

162. New challenges to Human Security: Environmental Change and Human Mobility

Author:
Georgetown University nstitute for the Study of Diplomacy
Publication Date:
04-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University
Abstract:
Climate change and shifting weather patterns are not the Tinker Bells of science or of policy. Disbelief, or denial, or a suspension of research will not make melting icecaps, rising sea levels, desertification, and floods go away. There may be legitimate debate on the pace of these changes, or whether there is a meaningful difference between the degrees of global warming that will result in inconvenient, catastrophic, or apocalyptic scenarios. But the empirical data is there. There is change and it affects human security—whether food can be grown, if water is available, and which lands are likely to become uninhabitable. And these needs, along with other drivers, will influence where humans live—and whether they must abandon their homes. As people are forced to migrate simply to survive, we face the possibility of major shifts in human settlement patterns, along with increased competition for resources.
Topic:
Environment and Human Rights
Political Geography:
Global Focus

163. Trans Legal Mapping Report: Recognition before the law (2017)

Author:
Zhan Chiam, Sandra Duffy, and Matilda González Gil
Publication Date:
11-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
ILGA World (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association)
Abstract:
The Trans Legal Mapping Report is a research project by ILGA World, detailing the impact of laws and policies on trans persons across the globe. Its latest edition, released in September 2020, covers the legal situation in 143 UN member States: it highlights provisions which set out how trans and gender-diverse people can change their sex/gender marker and names on official identity documents (legal gender recognition), but also collects information on laws criminalising trans identities, both explicitly and de facto – looking at the situation for our communities in every region of the world. All too often, processes for gender marker and name change include requirements that are blatant human rights violations: this report outlines them clearly, but also shows progressive examples from across the world. Compiling information both through desk-based research and the lived realities of trans activists across the world, the ILGA World Trans Legal Mapping Report is a fundamental tool that advocates can use to engage with their national governments and bring about change.
Topic:
Government, Human Rights, Law, LGBT+, and Transgender
Political Geography:
Global Focus

164. State-Sponsored Homophobia (2017)

Author:
Aengus Carroll and Lucas Ramón Mendos
Publication Date:
05-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
ILGA World (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association)
Abstract:
Every year, ILGA World publishes its State-Sponsored Homophobia report, a world survey of sexual orientation laws. Since its first edition, back in 2006, ILGA World’s State-Sponsored Homophobia has been a fundamental resource for those interested in accessing the core information on legislation affecting people on the basis of their sexual orientation. Not only human rights defenders, but also civil society organisations, governmental and United Nations agencies, allies and media worldwide value the publication as one of the main sources of information on the issue. The publication is accompanied by a series of maps and charts illustrating where criminalisation, protection and recognition laws exist.
Topic:
Human Rights, Law, LGBT+, and Homophobia
Political Geography:
Global Focus

165. Global Peace Operations Review 2016: Annual Compilation

Author:
Sarah Cliffe, Hanny Megally, Richard Gowan, Jason Stearns, and Ryan Rappa
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Global Peace Operations Review
Abstract:
For those implementing and studying UN peace operations, 2015 was the “year of reviews.” In June there was the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, formally titled Uniting Our Strengths for Peace, but affectionately known as the HIPPO report. In the same month, the Advisory Group of Experts (AGE) for the 2015 Review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture delivered its report, The Challenge of Sustaining Peace. In October 2015, Preventing Conflict, Transforming Justice, Securing the Peace was the report of the Global Study on the Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325. 2016 was the year the system digested this vast body of information. These reports identified many complex issues beyond the mandate of the outgoing UN Secretary-General. His so-called implementation report picked the low-hanging fruit from the HIPPO, but much remained to be debated. The content of the Review in 2016 can therefore be regarded as capturing much of this unfinished business. These are the difficult challenges being passed to the new Secretary-General for implementation in 2017 and beyond.
Topic:
Human Rights, United Nations, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding
Political Geography:
Global Focus

166. Gender and the Right to Non-Discrimination in International Human Rights Law

Author:
Bistra Netkova
Publication Date:
01-2016
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:
Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:
Discrimination against women based on the fact that they are women is a deeply rooted practice in all societies. However, the level of discrimination varies greatly with the level of development of the given society and strongly influences and vice versa it is influenced by the status of women in a given society. Addressing this gender-based discrimination is a difficult task because it is closely linked to the concept of equality, and the state's action and inactions. The article establishes that the state parties' obligation is to ensure that there is no direct or indirect discrimination against women in their laws, sanctions, and other remedies, and those women are protected against discrimination in the public, as well as, in the private spheres.
Topic:
Gender Issues, Human Rights, International Law, Discrimination, and Affirmative Action
Political Geography:
Global Focus

167. Handbook on Civil Society Documentation of Serious Human Rights Violations

Author:
Federica D'Alessandra, Sander Couch, Ilina Georgieva, Marieke de Hoon, Brianne McGonigle Leyh, and Jolien Quispel
Publication Date:
01-2016
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Public International Law Policy Group
Abstract:
Increasingly, civil society actors engage in documentation and investigation processes, seeking to collect evidence against those responsible for serious human rights violations. The purpose of this Handbook is to provide guidelines and best practices for the collection and management of information on serious human rights situations for those that are not professionally trained in such documentation practices. While the Handbook strongly emphasizes the need to refrain from investigating human rights abuses and to refer to professionals, practice shows that this is not always possible. Only under such circumstances and as a last resort may civil society actors consider engaging in certain documentation practices and not in others, always seeking to include professionals when and where possible. They may however only do so by adhering to the ethical principles and documentation guidelines that are provided in this Handbook. These enable unofficial investigators to do no harm, identify security risks, preserve crime scenes, prevent the loss of evidence, and manage the information in manner that preserves confidentiality, security and probative value, with an eye to possible use in later redress processes and without jeopardizing the future work of professionally trained and officially appointed investigators.
Topic:
Security, Civil Society, Human Rights, and Law
Political Geography:
Global Focus

168. Field Guide for Civil Society Documentation of Serious Human Rights Violations

Author:
Public International Law Policy Group
Publication Date:
01-2016
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Public International Law Policy Group
Abstract:
Increasingly, civil society actors engage in documentation and investigation processes, seeking to collect evidence against those responsible for serious human rights violations. PILPG’s Field Guide on Civil Society Documentation of Serious Human Rights Violations provides a practical and portable overview of the guidelines and best practices detailed in PILPG’s Handbook on Civil Society Documentation of Serious Human Rights Violations on the collection and management of information on serious human rights situations for those that are not professionally trained in such documentation practices. While the Field Guide and the Handbook strongly emphasize the need to refrain from investigating human rights abuses and to refer to professionals, practice shows that this is not always possible. Only under such circumstances and as a last resort may civil society actors consider engaging in certain documentation practices and not in others, always seeking to include professionals when and where possible. They may however only do so by adhering to the ethical principles and documentation guidelines that are provided in this Field Guide. These enable unofficial investigators to do no harm, identify security risks, preserve crime scenes, prevent the loss of evidence, and manage the information in a manner that preserves confidentiality, security and probative value, with an eye to possible use in later redress processes.
Topic:
Civil Society, Human Rights, Humanitarian Intervention, and Human Rights Violations
Political Geography:
Global Focus

169. Access to Justice and Electoral Integrity

Author:
International Foundation for Electoral Systems
Publication Date:
11-2016
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
Abstract:
What is the importance of granting access to justice for the rule of law and electoral integrity? What are the key principles for effective, timely and impartial administration of justice? The Kofi Annan Foundation’s policy brief, entitled “Access to Justice and Electoral Integrity,” reviews international standards and best practices in which key principles are applied at the crossroads of elections and human rights. It demonstrates the importance of an effective institutional framework that provides legal redress to protect and effectively exercise rights linked to political participation and representation, as well as the remedies and reparations of those violations.
Topic:
Human Rights, Elections, Election watch, and Voting
Political Geography:
Global Focus

170. Disability Rights in Global Perspective

Author:
Karen Nakamura
Publication Date:
04-2016
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues
Abstract:
Grassroots disability movements such as mad pride and crip pride have pushed themselves to the forefront of conversations across the world about diversity and inclusion, but there has also been considerable setbacks in recent years. Karen Nakamura discusses disability rights social movements and how they have fundamentally changed the social contract and fabric in various countries.
Topic:
Health, Human Rights, Social Movement, Health Care Policy, Social Justice, Disability, and Mental Health
Political Geography:
Japan, Asia, North America, Global Focus, and United States of America