International Human Rights Law

Question 1

Broadly speaking, what is a human right?

Answer 1

A human right is a fundamental right or freedom which all human beings are entitled to, regardless of race, gender, sexuality etc. They are non discriminatory and apply to everybody

Question 2

When did the modern framework of IHRL develop?

Answer 2

After World War 2, 1945. The creation of the United Nations and the UN Charter symbolised a recognition of the catastrophic events which had taken place and an attempt to prevent these from ever repeating in future.

Question 3

Which two IHRL instruments were the first to be adopted and mark the cornerstones of IHRL law?

Answer 3

The Genocide Convention (Prompted by the Holocaust - made genocide an international crime) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - promotes universal, inalienable human rights.

Question 4

What does inalienable mean?

Answer 4

Human Rights should never be taken away from a person (though they can be restricted when crimes have been committed - ie the right to freedom)

Question 5

What is a non-state actor?

Answer 5

A non state actor is a state which is not party to international human rights treaties and therefore cannot violate IHRL.