🧍🏼♂️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.
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
Legal Frameworks and Treaties
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
Future Trends and Developments
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