International Human Rights

🧍🏼‍♂️International Human Rights Unit 6 – Regional Human Rights Systems Worldwide

Regional human rights systems emerged after World War II to protect individual rights at a regional level. These systems include the European Convention on Human Rights, Inter-American System, African Charter, Arab Charter, and ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. Each system has its own legal framework, institutional structures, and enforcement mechanisms. While some systems have binding judgments and strong enforcement, others rely on political pressure and dialogue to encourage compliance with human rights standards.

Key Regional Human Rights Systems

  • European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) protects fundamental rights in Europe under the Council of Europe
  • Inter-American System includes the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR) and the Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights
    • Covers countries in the Americas that have ratified the ACHR
  • African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul Charter) is the primary human rights instrument in Africa
    • Enforced by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights
  • Arab Charter on Human Rights adopted by the League of Arab States
    • Establishes the Arab Human Rights Committee to monitor compliance
  • ASEAN Human Rights Declaration adopted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
    • Not legally binding but sets human rights standards for the region

Historical Development

  • Regional human rights systems emerged in the aftermath of World War II
    • Aimed to prevent atrocities and protect individual rights at a regional level
  • European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was the first regional human rights treaty, adopted in 1950
    • Inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
  • American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR) adopted in 1969, entered into force in 1978
    • Builds upon the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man (1948)
  • African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul Charter) adopted in 1981, entered into force in 1986
    • Reflects African values and traditions, including collective rights
  • Arab Charter on Human Rights adopted in 2004, revised version entered into force in 2008
  • ASEAN Human Rights Declaration adopted in 2012, non-binding instrument
  • Regional human rights treaties establish legally binding obligations for state parties
    • States must respect, protect, and fulfill the rights enshrined in these treaties
  • European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) protects civil and political rights
    • Includes the right to life, prohibition of torture, right to a fair trial, and freedom of expression
  • American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR) covers civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights
    • Recognizes the right to humane treatment, personal liberty, and freedom of conscience and religion
  • African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul Charter) encompasses individual and collective rights
    • Protects the right to self-determination, development, and a satisfactory environment
  • Arab Charter on Human Rights covers a wide range of rights
    • Includes the right to equality, freedom from discrimination, and the right to a nationality
  • ASEAN Human Rights Declaration is a non-binding instrument
    • Affirms the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and other international human rights treaties

Institutional Structures

  • European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is the judicial body of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
    • Composed of judges elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
    • Individuals can file applications directly with the ECtHR after exhausting domestic remedies
  • Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) promotes and protects human rights in the Americas
    • Receives individual petitions, conducts country visits, and issues thematic reports
  • Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) is the judicial organ of the Inter-American System
    • Interprets and applies the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR)
    • Only the IACHR and state parties can submit cases to the IACtHR
  • African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) promotes and protects rights under the Banjul Charter
    • Considers individual communications, conducts fact-finding missions, and interprets the Charter
  • African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (AfCHPR) complements the protective mandate of the ACHPR
    • Has jurisdiction over cases and disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the Banjul Charter
  • Arab Human Rights Committee monitors the implementation of the Arab Charter on Human Rights
    • Reviews state reports and considers individual complaints
  • ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) is a consultative body
    • Promotes human rights in Southeast Asia through dialogue, capacity building, and thematic studies

Enforcement Mechanisms

  • Enforcement of regional human rights treaties relies primarily on the cooperation of state parties
  • European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issues legally binding judgments
    • States are obligated to comply with ECtHR rulings and provide redress to victims
    • Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe supervises the execution of judgments
  • Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) renders binding decisions
    • States must comply with IACtHR judgments and implement reparation measures
    • Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) monitors compliance with IACtHR rulings
  • African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (AfCHPR) delivers binding judgments
    • States are required to guarantee the execution of AfCHPR decisions
    • African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) follows up on the implementation of judgments
  • Arab Human Rights Committee and ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) lack binding enforcement powers
    • Rely on political pressure and dialogue to encourage compliance with human rights standards

Case Studies and Landmark Decisions

  • Soering v. United Kingdom (1989) - ECtHR ruled that extradition to face the death penalty would violate the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment
  • Velásquez Rodríguez v. Honduras (1988) - IACtHR held that states have a duty to prevent, investigate, and punish human rights violations
    • Established the concept of "forced disappearance" as a continuous violation
  • SERAC and CESR v. Nigeria (2001) - ACHPR found that Nigeria violated the right to a satisfactory environment by failing to prevent oil pollution in Ogoniland
  • Hissène Habré case (2016) - AfCHPR ruled that Senegal violated its obligations under the UN Convention against Torture by failing to prosecute the former Chadian dictator
  • Arab Human Rights Committee and AICHR have not yet produced landmark decisions due to their limited mandates and recent establishment

Challenges and Criticisms

  • Limited ratification and acceptance of jurisdiction by states
    • Not all countries in a region are parties to the respective human rights treaties
    • Some states have not accepted the jurisdiction of regional human rights courts
  • Enforcement and compliance challenges
    • Lack of political will to implement decisions and recommendations
    • Limited resources and capacity of regional human rights bodies
  • Cultural relativism and regional particularities
    • Tensions between universal human rights standards and regional cultural norms
    • Criticisms of Western bias in the interpretation and application of human rights
  • Backlash and resistance from states
    • Threats of withdrawal or non-compliance with regional human rights mechanisms
    • Attempts to undermine the independence and effectiveness of regional bodies
  • Overlap and fragmentation of regional human rights systems
    • Potential for conflicting interpretations and duplication of efforts
    • Need for greater coordination and harmonization among regional systems
  • Strengthening the independence and effectiveness of regional human rights bodies
    • Ensuring adequate funding, staffing, and institutional support
    • Enhancing the selection process and qualifications of judges and commissioners
  • Promoting universal ratification and acceptance of jurisdiction
    • Encouraging states to ratify regional human rights treaties and accept the jurisdiction of regional courts
    • Engaging in dialogue and capacity building to address reservations and objections
  • Enhancing the implementation and enforcement of decisions
    • Developing effective follow-up mechanisms and monitoring systems
    • Engaging with national authorities, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote compliance
  • Addressing emerging human rights challenges
    • Adapting regional human rights systems to respond to new threats and vulnerabilities
    • Incorporating issues such as climate change, digital rights, and the impact of artificial intelligence
  • Fostering regional cooperation and dialogue
    • Promoting the exchange of best practices and lessons learned among regional human rights systems
    • Encouraging cross-regional initiatives and partnerships to address common challenges
  • Engaging with the United Nations and other international human rights mechanisms
    • Strengthening the complementarity and coordination between regional and universal human rights systems
    • Leveraging the expertise and resources of the UN to support regional human rights efforts


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.