Human Rights: A Handbook for Parliamentarians

198 Pages·2016·2.68 MB·English

by  United Nations.

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HUMAN RIGHTS
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HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS
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This publication is intended for parliamentarians who want to familiarize themselves N
with the framework that has been set up since 1945 by the United Nations and
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regional organizations to protect and promote human rights. It presents the notion
of human rights and the meaning of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration M
of Human Rights.
It specifies the State's obligations to protect and promote human rights, and con- U
tains suggestions as to action parliaments and their members may take to con-
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tribute to their implementation.
Nº 8 - 2005
OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS
INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
HUMAN RIGHTS: A HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS
Th e sons of Adam are like the limbs of the same body.
For they share the same essence in creation.
When one limb is put to pain
Th e other limbs cannot remain at rest
O thou who do not feel the suff erings of mankind
Th ou deservest not to be called a human being.
Sadi, Gulistan (Th e Rose Garden, 1258)
i
Author:
Th e Handbook was written by Mr. Manfred Nowak, Director of the Ludwig
Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights at the University of Vienna and United
Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, with contributions from Mr. Jeroen Klok
(OHCHR) and Ms. Ingeborg Schwarz (IPU).
Comments were received from:
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU): Th e members of the Committee on the Human
Rights of Parliamentarians: Ms. Ann Clwyd (United Kingdom), Mr. Juan Pablo
Letelier (Chile), Mr. Mahamane Ousmane (Niger), Ms. Veronika Nedvĕdová
(Czech Republic) and Mr. Mahinda Samarasinghe (Sri Lanka); and IPU offi cials:
Mr. Anders B. Johnsson and Mr. Rogier Huizenga.
Offi ce of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
Mr. Zdzislaw Kedzia, Ms. Jane Connors, Mr. Markus Schmidt and Mr. Julian Burger.
Original version: English
Cover design by Aloys Robellaz, les Studios Lolos, Carouge, Switzerland
Printed in France by SADAG, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine
ii
Foreword
Human rights have pervaded much of the political discourse since the Second
World War. While the struggle for freedom from oppression and misery is prob-
ably as old as humanity itself, it was the massive aff ront to human dignity per-
petrated during that War, and the need felt to prevent such horror in the future,
which put the human being back at the centre and led to the codifi cation at the
international level of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Article 1 of the
Charter of the United Nations declares “promoting and encouraging respect for
human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race,
sex, language, or religion” as one of the purposes of the Organization.
Th e Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations
General Assembly in 1948, was the fi rst step towards achieving this objective. It is
seen as the authoritative interpretation of the term “human rights” in the Charter
of the United Nations. Th e Universal Declaration together with the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Eco-
nomic, Social and Cultural Rights, both adopted in 1966, constitute what has be-
come known as the International Bill of Human Rights. Since 1948, human rights
and fundamental freedoms have indeed been codifi ed in hundreds of universal and
regional, binding and non-binding instruments, touching almost every aspect of
human life and covering a broad range of civil, political, economic, social and cul-
tural rights. Th us, the codifi cation of human rights has largely been completed. As
the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, has recently pointed
out, today’s main challenge is to implement the adopted standards.
In previous years, attention has increasingly turned towards the parliament as
the State institution through which people exercise their right, enshrined in article
21 of the Universal Declaration, to participate in the conduct of the public aff airs
of the country. Indeed, if human rights are to become a reality for everyone, parlia-
ments must fully play their role and exercise to this eff ect the specifi c powers they
have, namely legislating, adopting the budget and overseeing the Government.
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As an organization that shares the United Nations concern for human rights,
the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) seeks to strengthen the role of parliaments as
guardians of human rights. Th e activities it has undertaken over the years to this
end have shown that all too often parliamentarians know little about the interna-
tional legal human rights framework, the obligations their countries have entered
into by signing human rights treaties, and the various international and regional
human rights bodies and mechanisms that exist to monitor their implementation.
Indeed, parliamentarians could do a lot more in favour of human rights.
Hence, the suggestion that IPU and the Offi ce of the United Nations High Com-
missioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations body specifi cally man-
dated to promote and protect the eff ective enjoyment by all of all civil, cultural,
economic, political and social rights, should publish a handbook with basic infor-
mation about human rights and the international and regional systems designed to
promote and protect them.
Th e task of drawing up the Handbook was entrusted to a renowned human
rights expert, Mr. Manfred Nowak, currently the United Nations Special Rappor-
teur on Torture. In carrying out this task he drew on the input and guidance of the
IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and offi cials of both
OHCHR and IPU.
It is not diffi cult to see that, in spite of the human rights norms, standards and
principles that have been established by the international community, we are far
from living in a world “free from fear and want” to which the founders of the
United Nations had aspired. It is therefore the hope of both organizations that
the Handbook will become a major tool for parliamentarians all over the world to
gauge their legislative, oversight and representative activities against the human
rights obligations their countries have entered into, and will assist them in playing
the important role they have for the promotion and protection of human rights at
home, and worldwide.
Louise Arbour Anders B. Johnsson
United Nations Secretary General
High Commissioner for Human Rights Inter-Parliamentary Union
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WHAT DOES THE HANDBOOK CONTAIN?
• P art I provides an overview of the general principles governing human rights law
and the obligations States have entered into under international human rights
law. It presents the international and regional legal framework in the fi eld of
human rights and explains the functioning of the diff erent international and re-
gional human rights bodies, including those that monitor the implementation of
the major international human rights treaties.
• I n Part II, Chapter 11 is devoted to parliamentary action to promote and protect
human rights. It gives concrete examples of what parliaments and their mem-
bers can do in this area. “What you can do” boxes provide a checklist for such
action.
• C hapters 12 and 13 aim to describe the core content of each right guaranteed in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and answer questions such as “What
does the right to fair trial mean?” or “What is the right to an adequate standard
of living?” Th e chapters deal only with the fundamental rights that were fur-
ther elaborated in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and do not
include the right to property.
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HUMAN RIGHTS:
A HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword iii
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART I
Chapter 1: What are human rights ? 1
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defi nition 1
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic human rights principles 4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Human rights and State sovereignty 8
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Democracy, human rights and parliaments 8
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 2: What State obligations arise from human rights? 11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 3: International human rights instruments 17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e emergence of international human rights law 17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e International Bill of Human Rights 17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Core human rights treaties 18
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other human rights instruments of the United Nations 19
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 4: May Governments restrict human rights? 21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limitation clauses 21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Derogation in a state of emergency 23
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reservations to international or regional human rights treaties 23
. . . . . . . . . . .
Counter-terrorism measures and human rights 24
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 5: United Nations human rights treaty-monitoring bodies 27
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Membership and functioning 27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reporting procedure 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Individual complaints procedure 29
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inter-State complaints procedure 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inquiry procedures under CAT and the Optional Protocol to CEDAW 32
. .
Th e system of regular visits to detention centres established
under the Optional Protocol to CAT 33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Chapter 6: Charter-based system of human rights protection under
the United Nations Commission on Human Rights 35
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e confi dential “1503 procedure” 35
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e special procedures 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights 38
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 7: The Offi ce of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights 39
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 8: Integrating human rights into the work of the United Nations 43
. . .
H uman rights in the General Assembly and
its permanent programmes 44
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Human rights and the Security Council 44
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Human rights and the “United Nations family” 45
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 9: Regional human rights treaties and monitoring 49
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Africa 49
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e Americas 51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arab region 51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asia and the Pacifi c 52
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Europe 52
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 10: Combating impunity: the International Criminal Court (ICC) 55
. . . . .
Th e International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
(ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for
Rwanda (ICTR) 56
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e International Criminal Court (ICC) 56
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e Set of Principles for the protection and promotion of
human rights through action to combat impunity 59
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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PART II
Chapter 11: The role of parliamentarians in the protection
and promotion of human rights 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic principles 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parliamentary action to promote and protect human rights 66
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 12: What parliamentarians should know about the civil and political
rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 81
. . .
Th e right to life 81
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
P rohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment: the right to personal integrity and dignity 90
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e right to personal liberty 94
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administration of justice: the right to a fair trial 97
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e right to privacy and the protection of family life 100
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Freedom of movement 105
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion 108
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Freedom of opinion and expression 110
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Freedom of peaceful assembly and association 117
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e right to participate in government 120
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 13: What parliamentarians should know about the economic,
social and cultural rights contained in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights 125
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Social and economic trends and developments 125
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e right to social security 130
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e right to work and rights at work 132
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e right to an adequate standard of living 134
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Th e right to education 146
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Concluding remark 150
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
List of abbreviations 151
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annex 1 Universal Declaration of Human Rights 153
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annex 2 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 158
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annex 3 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 175
. . . . .
Annex 4 International instruments on the Internet 185
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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