In December 2022, various international human rights bodies will meet – some virtually – to continue their monitoring and oversight of States’ human rights practices. For more information on each of the bodies mentioned, visit the Courts & Monitoring Bodies section of the IJRC Online Resource Hub. At the regional level, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, African
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Human Rights Bodies’ Hearings & Sessions: June 2022
In June 2022, various international human rights bodies will meet – some virtually – to continue their monitoring and oversight of States’ human rights practices. For more information on each of the bodies mentioned, visit the Courts & Monitoring Bodies section of the IJRC Online Resource Hub. At the regional level, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Inter-American
Read moreNew Tools Expand Access to Inter-American Human Rights Doctrine
Last month, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) formally announced the availability of a new online database of its decisions and other documents. [IACHR Press Release: Repository] The database, hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), is the first such tool created with the IACHR’s involvement. The new site adds to a list of recent efforts by the IACHR
Read moreIACHR Addresses Children’s Right to Education in the Pandemic
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has published a new practical guide on access to education in the context of COVID-19, the latest in a string of recent thematic publications and its second practical guide on the pandemic. [IACHR Press Release] The IACHR Rapid and Integrated Response Coordination Unit (SACROI) produced the guide in collaboration with the IACHR special
Read moreAfrican Rights Court Issues Landmark Advisory Opinion Rejecting Vagrancy Laws
On December 4, 2020, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) published and delivered an advisory opinion declaring national laws that criminalize vagrancy to be incompatible with human rights standards. [AfCHPR Press Release] The opinion concludes that laws that essentially criminalize homelessness, poverty, or unemployment are overly broad and allow for abuse. The Court held that such laws
Read moreEscazú Agreement, Landmark Environmental Treaty, Expected to Enter into Force
Following ratifications by Mexico and Argentina, the Escazú Agreement will enter into force 90 days from when both States have deposited their ratifications. The treaty is the first to address environmental contamination, natural resource governance, and human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean. It recognizes a human right to live in a healthy environment, protects environmental defenders, and ensures
Read moreIACtHR: Argentina Responsible for Racial Profiling, Death of Black Man
In a new judgment, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) condemned the use of racial profiling in the 1996 arrest of José Delfín Acosta Martínez, a Black man who then died after being badly injured in police custody. [IACtHR Press Release (Spanish)] The Court called attention to the general context of racial discrimination, police violence, and racial profiling in
Read moreEuropean Court Grants Interim Measures in Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
In the last several weeks, as the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh reignited and intensified, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has granted two sets of interim measures. The Court called on Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and all States “directly or indirectly involved” to avoid committing or contributing to violations of civilians’ human rights. [ECtHR Press Release] Other international bodies have also
Read moreAfrican Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Adopts New Rules
On September 28, 2020, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) announced the publication of its revised Rules of Court, which entered into force on September 25. [AfCHPR Press Release] The new Rules replace those that had been in place since June 2010. See AfCHPR, Rules of Court (1 Sept. 2020). Currently, the 2020 Rules are available in
Read moreECtHR: Lack of Educational Support for Autistic Student Violated Rights
In a judgment released on September 10, 2020, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) held that Italy had violated an autistic girl’s rights to non-discrimination and education when it failed to provide her the tailored learning assistance required by domestic law. [ECtHR Press Release] Italian authorities said they lacked the financial resources to pay for a support teacher. See
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