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Abstract
From a practitioner’s perspective the intervention explores how digital technologies have enhanced the capacities of policy-makers in anticipating and responding to atrocity crimes including through development and access to sophisticated technologies to collect and verify evidence of crimes for justice and accountability. Digital technologies have also provided perpetrators with enhanced tools to target populations with greater precision and commit atrocities against them. The intervention argues that the harm perpetuated by digital technologies can be mitigated by holding developers of these technologies accountable for creating operating environments that are safe and by naming and shaming governments that use new technologies to target populations.
Abstract
The study sought to explore the nature of community empowerment in holding local councils accountable. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Three Zones, namely Central Gondar, Wag Hemra, and South Wollo, were selected as study areas. From these three Zones, five woredas were selected. Two kebeles were selected purposively from each sample Woreda. Accordingly, 10 study kebeles were selected. A total of 269 samples from the community have been incorporated into the survey. Primary data were collected through survey, key informant interview, fgd, and in-depth interview techniques. The study used thematic analysis technique for the qualitative data and descriptive analysis for the quantitative data. The results show that the level of community empowerment in holding council members accountable for their needs and priorities is low. Local people have little say in their local affairs. Currently, the council members are serving their second term without local elections. Hence, Some Kebeles and Woredas do not have representatives in the local councils.
Abstract
Armenia and Azerbaijan have had a long history of adversarial conflict, with hostility being a recurring theme throughout history. The long history manifested into outright armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020. Subsequently, Armenia filed an application before the International Court of Justice to institute proceedings against Azerbaijan for racial discrimination against ethnic Armenians. This paper examines the jurisdiction of the icj in deciding on the dispute. The paper argues that it appears that the icj has jurisdiction over the present dispute. The second part of the paper discusses the applicability of the Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. It finally concludes with the way forward.
Abstract
The article explores the evolution of a key, yet relatively obscure, instrument relating to the ‘head’ of proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights (Court), namely interim measures. By employing the decisions related to the Polish rule of law crisis as a case study, the article contends that the Court’s use of interim measures in this context exhibits significant novelties compared to its previous practice, regarding both the scope and content of interim protection. More broadly, the Polish case study, along with other recent developments in the Court’s practice under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, highlights a growing tendency to use interim measures for addressing systemic issues in the Contracting Parties. This aspect prompts a reflection on the evolving nature and function of interim relief under the European Convention on Human Rights, and on the outstanding procedural shortcomings of the Rule 39 machinery, which is currently undergoing a process of reform.
Abstract
Human trafficking, as an illegal movement of people using coercions, frauds, and forces, is considered modern-day slavery. The world nowadays is experiencing severe socio-economic and cultural problems as a result of human trafficking. This study examines the trends of human trafficking in Metema Woreda, Ethiopia. The study also investigates actors and modus operandi of human trafficking in Metema woreda. A qualitative research method was employed—both descriptive and case study research designs were also used. Accordingly, primary data were collected by conducting key informant interviews with residents, victims, and public officials. Secondary data were collected from state documents, records, reports, articles, and official statistics. The collected data were thematically analysed. The study finally concludes that despite there had been increasing trends in the past, the current trend of human trafficking in Metema shows slight decreasing. The study identified traffickers, political leaders, shekaba, shekama, residents of transit places, government officials, and security forces as actors facilitating the human trafficking process. Moreover, extreme poverty and high unemployment rates are driving forces that make individuals, particularly young women, become victims of human trafficking. Generally, the study recommends the local and higher governments to address human trafficking by enforcing laws more effectively, implementing robust local security measures, generating employment prospects, and alleviating poverty. The study also recommends the local community to stop collaborating the illegal traffickers and stand for fight against the human trafficking.
Abstract
In recent decades, the phenomenon of international immigration has witnessed a dramatic increase, propelled by factors such as globalisation, escalating poverty and hunger, environmental degradation, war, and civil unrest. Since 2015, a notable surge in immigration from Muslim-majority countries to Europe has occurred, attributed to the geographic proximity of Europe to crisis-ridden areas like the Middle East and North Africa. On the other hand, in recent years, extreme right-wing and racist tendencies have proliferated across nearly all European nations. Immigrants, particularly those of Muslim faith, have become easy scapegoats for these right-wing elements, portraying them as threats to European identity, values, culture, and economy. This article aims to delve into the perception of Europeans towards Muslim immigrants, addressing the pivotal question: Is the immigration of individuals from Muslim countries to the European Union a genuine threat or a constructed one? The paper systematically deconstructs the primary arguments depicting Muslim immigrants as threats to the security, identity, and economy of European countries. It rigorously contends that this perceived threat is predominantly constructed by certain right-wing politicians and media outlets.
Abstract
Atrocities do not happen in a vacuum and incitement to discrimination, hostility, and violence is one of their main drivers – offline and now online. But states continue to disagree about how to deal with inciting speech. Under international law, there is much debate about whether obligations to prohibit incitement, such as the one found in Article 20(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, applies universally to all states. This article finds common ground in the overlooked human right to be free from incitement to discrimination, reflected in Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and binding on all states under customary international law. It gives rise to common but differentiated responsibilities to refrain from and protect individuals and groups from different forms of incitement. In the digital age, this right can be protected by a range of online content governance measures that this article explores.
Abstract
Most members of all three communities often live on the margins of society, with high levels of unemployment and low levels of education. Aim – To assess the experiences and satisfaction of the rae community with the health services. Methodology – The research was in the period March – June 2023. The criteria for inclusion were clear and based on this, 120 participants were selected. Results – The participants were treated with respect (80%), they did not feel treated differently from others (78%), there were no obstacles in communication (70%), there were no delays in receiving services (80%) and did not feel discriminated or prejudiced (88%). The 90% of them graded healthcare services as 5 on a scale of 1–5. Conclusions – We can conclude that most of the respondents expressed satisfaction with the health services they received, which was the main goal of our research.
Abstract
Following in the footsteps of the Nyéléni Declaration, the transnational agrarian movement La Via Campesina (lvc) secured recognition for the right to food sovereignty within the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas. Alongside this, the academic community and the agrarian movement itself have developed the concept of “seed sovereignty”. Although it has not followed the same normative trajectory as food sovereignty, it has served (i) to bring together a range of issues scattered throughout the biodiversity “regime complex” (industrial property, concentration, seed regulation, gmo regulation, biopiracy, conservation); (ii) to establish a coherent and integrative intellectual framework, the high point of which was undoubtedly the enshrinement of the “right to seeds” in Article 19 of the Declaration.
This chapter traces the history of the concept and the genealogy of Article 19, showing that seed sovereignty, through its appeal to permanent sovereignty over natural resources (which was also clearly visible during the drafting process), sought to anchor the prerogatives granted to peasants and farmers over their seeds in international human rights law. More fundamentally, in its alliance with the right to food sovereignty, it represents a significant attempt to challenge the Westphalian sovereignty – a hallmark of the transnational agrarian movement.