Week 3 Flashcards
Human Rights and International Law
What event marked the beginning of the abolition of slavery in international law?
Congress of Vienna (1815)
This marked a significant political agreement among European powers regarding the status of slavery.
What was established by the 1926 Slavery Convention?
International commitment to abolish slavery
This convention aimed to eradicate slavery globally.
What does the 1956 Supplementary Convention address?
Further measures against slavery and servitude
This convention expanded upon previous agreements to combat slavery.
What is the significance of the Hague Conventions (1907)?
Established rules for humanitarian law and the laws of war
These conventions set the groundwork for modern international humanitarian law.
What do the Geneva Conventions (1949) focus on?
Protection of individuals in armed conflicts
They are crucial for the humanitarian treatment of war victims.
What was the purpose of the Nuremberg Tribunal?
To prosecute war crimes after WWII
It established precedents for international law and accountability.
What is the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
To prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity
The ICC aims to hold offenders accountable at an international level.
What treaty was established by the 1878 Treaty of Berlin?
Minority rights protections
This treaty aimed to address the rights of ethnic and national minorities.
What is the International Labour Organization (ILO)?
A UN agency focused on promoting labor rights and social justice
The ILO establishes international labor standards.
What is a key characteristic of treaties in international human rights law?
They create common standards agreed upon by multiple countries
Treaties are foundational to international human rights frameworks.
What is the International Bill of Human Rights?
A collection of international documents that outline fundamental human rights
It includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and two key covenants.
When was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted?
1948
This document is considered a milestone in the history of human rights.
What are the two key covenants included in the International Bill of Human Rights?
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
These covenants detail specific rights and obligations.
What does the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1969) aim to achieve?
To eliminate racial discrimination and promote equality
This convention is crucial for combating systemic racism.
What does CEDAW stand for?
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
It aims to promote women’s rights and gender equality.
What is the main purpose of the Convention Against Torture (1987)?
To prevent torture and inhumane treatment
This convention establishes the absolute prohibition of torture.
What does the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990) focus on?
The rights and protections of children
It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty.
What year was the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted?
2008
This convention promotes the rights of people with disabilities.
What is the role of formal monitoring institutions in human rights law?
To ensure compliance with international human rights treaties
They include treaty bodies, the UN Human Rights Council, and national institutions.
What does ratification of a treaty signify?
Makes a treaty legally binding for the state
It is a crucial step in the treaty process.
What is the difference between signature and ratification?
Signature expresses intention to comply; ratification makes it binding
This distinction is important in international law.
What is a reservation in the context of international treaties?
Allows a state to opt out of specific provisions
Reservations can complicate treaty compliance.
Which body monitors the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)?
Human Rights Committee
This committee oversees the implementation of the covenant.
What is the significance of the periodic reporting system?
Ensures states report on their compliance with human rights obligations
It allows for accountability and assessment of progress.
What is the concept of ‘progressive realization’ in human rights?
The gradual implementation of economic, social, and cultural rights
This acknowledges varying capacities of states in realizing these rights.
What are some objections against a unified human rights convention?
- ESCR not considered inherent or fundamental
- ESCR seen as objectives rather than rights
- Implementation challenges
- Cold War politics labeling ESCR as communist
These objections highlight political and philosophical divides.
What is the argument for the indivisibility of human rights?
Both ESCR and CPR depend on economic and social conditions
This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of all rights.
True or False: The ICCPR has been more influential than the ICESCR.
True
The ICCPR’s focus on civil and political rights has garnered more attention.
