International Law Violations Underpin Tragedy in Gaza
The death of 60 Palestinians under Israeli fire at the Israel-Gaza border fence on May 14 has sent palpable shockwaves through the international community. It is the greatest loss of...
The Second Generation Challenges of the Right to Development (II): Is there an International Duty to Cooperate towards the Realization of the Right to Development?
In my previous post, I noted that the right to development should be rejuvenated by building on recent advances of international human rights law, which strengthened the international obligations of...
The Second Generation Challenges of the Right to Development (I): Can the Right to Development be Rescued?
More than thirty years have passed since the UN General Assembly proclaimed the right to development, but its promise remains largely unfulfilled. The right to development was intended to contribute...
Anudo v Tanzania: The African Court Recognises the Right to Nationality under Customary International Law
During the recently concluded 48th Ordinary Session, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights delivered a unanimous decision of significance to the African continent and beyond by determining that...
Moving towards the recognition and protection of climate change refugees under international human rights law
The recent hurricanes that hit the coast of the Caribbean have renewed the fears of a global climate refugee crisis. However, there is a lack of clarity on who exactly...
Gaining More from Human Rights: Access to Health Care and Surviving Childbirth is not Enough
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all, at all ages. Within the maternity care context this requires a reduction in maternal mortality...
U.N. Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment: A Catalyst for Grassroots-Centered U.S. Reform?
John H. Knox, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, recently issued a final report to the U.N. Human Rights Council. The report, which contains 16 Framework...
CRPD Committee Adopts New General Comment on Equality and Non-Discrimination
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities released its advance unedited version of the General Comment No. 6 on Equality and Non-Discrimination on 9 March 2018. The Committee’s...
Taking the backseat? Strategic utilisation of human rights in the implementation of SDGs
Human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are closely entwined. The text of the Agenda declares that human rights constitute the foundation and the aim of development. It states...
Transforming Women’s Lives Through Education
The virtues of education are uncontested. It is a multiplier right, it creates an empowered workforce and citizens, and perhaps most important, it leads to personal development and fulfilment. The...
Djazia and Bellili v Spain: Eviction and Homelessness under the OP-ICESCR
When the private housing sector fails the State must use its resources to provide alternative housing, according to the latest case concluded by the CESCR. The Committee also makes its...
International Law, Right to Privacy and Marital Rape in India
In an order dated 6/11/2017, the High Court of Gujarat described marital rape as “a disgraceful offence that has scarred the trust and confidence in the institution of marriage”, proposing...