The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has announced proposed changes to its Rules of Procedure, policies, and practices, which are open to public comment through March 1. The proposals are motivated by the Commission’s interest in increasing its transparency and effectiveness, but are also a proactive response to the ongoing reform process through which the General Assembly of the
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In X and Others v. Austria, ECtHR Finds Discriminatory Restriction on Same-Sex Couple Adoption Violates Convention
This week, the European Court of Human Rights announced the Grand Chamber’s judgment in X and Others v. Austria [GC], app. no. 19010/07, Judgment of 19 February 2013, in which the court considered whether a restriction on a lesbian woman’s ability to adopt her partner’s child violated the European Convention on Human Rights. In finding a violation of Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination)
Read moreUN Publishes Guide for Measuring Human Rights
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) at the end of 2012 released a new publication entitled Human Rights Indicators: A Guide to Measurement and Implementation, which is available online in English and Spanish. The Guide supports the identification of objective indicators for measuring countries’ progress in realizing human rights and came about in response to requests
Read moreExtraordinary African Chambers: Hybrid Court to Try Former Chad Dictator Hissène Habré
The Extraordinary African Chambers, a special criminal court, opened on February 8, 2013 in the West African nation of Senegal to prepare a case against former Chadian president Hissène Habré. [NY Times] Habré has been accused of responsibility for the deaths of more than 40,000 people and the torture of more than 20,000 during his eight-year rule of Chad, from 1982
Read moreILO Expert Meeting Aims to Develop New Standards on Forced Labor and Trafficking
The International Labour Organization (ILO) will hold a Tripartite Meeting of Experts at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland from February 11 to 15, 2013 to begin developing standards to address gaps in international legal protections against forced labor. [ILO] The experts, chosen in consultation with States and employers’ and workers’ groups, are to report on the additional standards deemed necessary to complement existing ILO
Read moreECtHR Confirms Child's Interest in Establishing Paternity, Parent's Right to Enforcement of Visitation
In late January, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) elaborated on the right to private and family life, as protected by the European Convention on Human Rights, in two new judgments – one concerning restrictions on the ability to establish one’s paternity and the other involving enforcement of a non-custodial parent’s visiting privileges. The European Court’s caselaw on parents’ and
Read moreIACtHR Swears in New Judges, Hears Cases on Range of Issues during Ongoing 98th Session
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) is holding its 98th Ordinary Session from February 4 through February 15, 2013 at its seat in San José, Costa Rica. [IACtHR Press Release (Spanish)] During this session, the Court will hear evidence and legal arguments from the parties in six cases pending before it, preside over private hearings on States’ compliance with three previous judgments,
Read moreOptional Protocol Brings New Opportunities for Realizing Economic and Social Rights
On 5 May 2013, the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) will take effect, creating new possibilities for individuals and groups to hold State Parties accountable for violations of economic, social and cultural rights. The ICESCR enshrines a variety of rights, including the right to work (article 6), the right to social security
Read moreMali Conflict: Concerns Persist for Protection of Human Rights, Displaced Populations, Minority Groups
The West African nation of Mali, previously hailed as a democratic model for other regional governments, has become engulfed in a human rights and political crisis that is now the target of international attention and military intervention. Government and foreign forces are attempting to reclaim territory from separatist rebel groups, while the International Criminal Court and UN and African human rights
Read moreUN Special Rapporteur Initiates Investigation into Drone Strikes and Other Targeted Killings
On January 24, 2013, the UN Special Rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, Ben Emmerson, launched an investigation of States’ use of armed drones and other forms of targeted killing. The investigation will focus on the legal framework applicable to the use of drones and the technology’s impact on civilians by examining 25 case studies of strikes carried out by the
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