Tag Archives: Human rights

Conference on 40th Anniversary of Right of Peoples to Peace To commemorate Human Rights Day

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Objectives

At the same time, the year 2024 marks forty years since the Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace (A/RES/39/11, 11 November 1984) and the preparation for the International Year of Peace and Trust, 2025 (A/RES/78/266), both resolutions being directly linked to the development of human rights in an environment of awareness for peace against violence.

Considering the current moment of global political instability with repercussions in all areas of the social and intellectual domain, it is proposed that the “Conference on the Right of Peoples to Peace” be held, allowing for a broad debate on issues related to the theme, such as, for example, the culture of peace, sense of peace in restricted system, human rights, democracy and governance, documenta)on and methods, education, etc.

Joint Project
a) Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa (Autonomous University of Lisbon)
b) RC#26 on Human Rights from IPSA
c) Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu (Adam Mickiewicz University in
Poznań)
d) Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (University Carlos III of Madrid)
e) South Asia Research Institute for Minorities — SARIM

Scientific Board
Prof. Dr. Jedrzej Skrzypczak, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan and Chair of RC26 on Human Rights IPSA

Prof. Dr. Oscar Perez de la Fuente, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Vice-Chair of RC26 on Human Rights IPSA

Prof. Dr. Alex Sander Pires, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa and Chair-Elect of RC26 IPSA

Date
10 December 2024, between 19h and 22h (Lisbon Time)
System
Hybrid.

Schedule
19:00 — 19:10: Opening.
Prof. Dr. Alex Sander Pires, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa and Chair-Elect of RC26 IPSA

19:10 —19:30: Dr. Patrice Vahard, Director of BCNUDH BUREAU CONJOINT DES NATIONS UNIES AUX DROITS DE L’HOMME

“UBUNTU in its relation to peace and its values.”

19:30 — 19:45: Prof. Dr. Jedrzej Skrzypczak, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan and Chair of RC26 on Human Rights IPSA

“The right of people to peace in the pre-war period: 40th anniversary of UND
Declaration.”

19:45 — 20:00: Prof. Dr. Oscar Perez de la Fuente, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Vice-Chair of RC26 on Human Rights IPSA

“Peace, war, law and Politics.”

20:00 — 20:15: Prof. Dr. José António Frías Montoya, Universidad de Salamanca

“Documentation in Human Rights (in Spanish/en Español).”

20:15 — 20:30: Prof. Dr. Anju Gupta, JECRC University and Member of RC26 IPSA Board

“Women’s rights and gender equality in South Asia.”

20:30 — 20:45: Prof. Dr. Alexandre Miguel Mestre, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa

“Olympic truce and the peace of peoples.”

20:45 — 21:00: Dr. Furqan Ahmed, South Asia Research Ins)tute for Minori)es and Secretary of RC26 IPSA Board

“Religious Nationalism as a Threat to the Right to Peace in Digital Spaces:
defending minorities on social media.”

21:00 — 21:15: Prof. Dr. Deepak Mewada, JECRC University

“Human Rights Day: Reflecting on progress and challenges.”

21:15 — 21:30: Prof. Dr. Lier Pires Ferreira, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

“Peace in times of hegemonic rupture (In Portuguese / Em Português).”

21:30 — 21:45: Prof. Carlos Imbrosio Filho, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa

“From right to peace to R2P: bridging aspirantions and obligations in preventing atrocities and nuclear catastrophes.”

21:45 — 22:00: Final Remarks and closure

The evolution of the position and role of human rights in political systems

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RC26 IPSA Interim Conference:

‘The evolution of the position and role of human rights in political systems’

Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland, Słubice Campus,

Academic directors: Jedrzej Skrzypczak, Oscar Pérez de la Fuente

28 November 2024 (hybrid mode)

Link to connect: https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/0bd221929b1e4366af31417175e7cf58

More information: https://humanrights.webphilosophia.com/archivos/246

THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Panel 1 “The position of human rights in global and regional political systems”
o 11.30-13.00 Warsaw/Madrid time
Chair: Prof. Oscar Pérez de la Fuente, (Carlos III University of Madrid, Vice-Chair of RC26 IPSA),

  1. Dr. Michael Kilburn (Endicott College Beverly, MA USA)
    Anarchy, State, and Utopia: the D/Evolution of the Position and Role of Human Rights in Political Systems.”
  2. Prof. Peter Smuk, (Széchenyi István University Faculty of Law and Political Sciences)
    Integrity of Democratic Process – New Narratives on Sovereignty Protection?
  3. Prof. Semahagn Abebe, (Endicott College Beverly, MA USA),
    Double Standards in International Responses to Human Rights Violations: A Case Study of Ethiopia
    Discussant: Prof. Cassius Guimaraes Chai, (Universidade Federal do Maranhão /PPGDIR/Law/ /PPGAERO/Aerospace Engineering/ and Faculdade de Direito de Vitória (PPGD/Law), member of RC26 IPSA Board)

  5. Panel 2 “The next generations of human rights – attempts at diagnosis and prediction”
    o 13.15-14.45 Warsaw/Madrid time
    Chair: Prof. Anju Gupta, (Head of Department of Political Science JECRC, University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; member of RC26 IPSA board)
  6. Dr Marco Marsili (Research Institute for International Studies, Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage, Cà Foscari University of Venice, Italy).
    Safeguarding the Future: Developing the Next Generation of Human Rights for Digital and Cognitive Domains
  7. Prof. Ravisankar R S (Department of Political Science, NSS College, Pandalam, affiliated to the University of Kerala, India)
    The Next Generation Human Rights in India: A Troubleshooting Approach
  8. Katarzyna Sypień (Project Assistant, Jagiellonian University, Poland, ),
    Climate Change and the Right to Exist: Examining Collective Rights and Territorial Sovereignty in Vulnerable Asian States
    Discussant: Prof. Jedrzej Skrzypczak, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland, Chair of RC26 IPSA)

  10. Panel 3 “The role of human rights in national political systems. A cross-continental perspective”
    15.15-16.30 Warsaw/Madrid time
    Chair: Prof. Alex Sander Xavier Pires (The Law Department of the Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, chair elect of RC26 IPSA)
  11. Prof. Iwona Wrońska, (Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Poland),
    Canadian Immigration Policies and the Protection of Human Rights
  12. Dorina Anna Tóth (Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary)
    The Bumpy Roads of the Fight against the Exploitation of Women: A Historical Examination of the Regulation of Prostitution in Hungary
  13. Dr Tomasz Litwin, (Ignatianum University in Cracow)
    The Polish Dispute over Abortion from the Human Rights Perspective
  14. Dr Tomasz Wicha (the Department of Theory and Methodology of Political Science and Administration, the Institute of Political Science and Administration, Faculty of Political Science and Journalism, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland)
    The issue of the protection of human rights on the political market in Poland in the context of the migration crisis on the border with Belarus (since 2021) and the Russian – Ukrainian war (since 2022)
  15. Aleksandra Oczkowicz, (PhD student ,Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland),
    The Role of Independent Trade Unions in Belarus as Social Activists Post-2020 Protests
    Discussant: Furqan Ahmed (South Asia Research Institute for Minorities SARIM, Karachi, Pakistan, Secretary of RC26 Board)

  1. Panel 4 “Human rights in concepts of de-globalisation and re-globalisation”
    o 16.45-18.15 Warsaw/Madrid time
    Chair: Prof. Cassius Guimaraes Chai, (Universidade Federal do Maranhão /PPGDIR/Law/ /PPGAERO/Aerospace Engineering/ and Faculdade de Direito de Vitória (PPGD/Law), member of RC26 IPSA Board)
  2. Oscar Pérez de la Fuente (Carlos III University of Madrid)
    Re-globalisation as an Emerging Paradigm for Human Rights
  3. Prof. Alex Sander Xavier Pires (Law Department of the Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa),
    Human Rights in the Concept of Sustainable Development
  4. Furqan Ahmed (South Asia Research Institute for Minorities SARIM, Karachi, Pakistan)
    Human Rights in the Era of Deglobalization: Tensions Between National Sovereignty and International Norms online
  5. Prof. Jedrzej Skrzypczak, prof., Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland,
    Deglobalisation trends and the protection of human rights in contempory politicals systems
  6. Discussant: Dr Radwan Ziadeh (Arab Center – Washington D.C., USA, member of RC26 IPSA board)

Scientific Board
o Prof. Oscar Pérez de la Fuente (Carlos III University of Madrid) – chair
o Prof. Magdalena Musiał-Karg ( AMU) – vice -chair,
o Prof. Jędrzej Skrzypczak (AMU) – vice-chair
o Prof. Natasza Lubik-Reczek (AMU)
o Prof. Andrzej Stelmach (AMU)
o Prof. Krzysztof Urbaniak (AMU)


Organisational Committee
o Prof. Magdalena Musiał-Karg (AMU) – chair, Prof. Natasza Lubik-Reczek (AMU)- vice-chair
o Prof. Jędrzej Skrzypczak (AMU) Emil Plewa – (secretary of the conference)

A World in Peril: Climate Change and the Erosion of Human Rights

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Dr. Uzma Shujjat

Director, Area Study Centre for Europe

University of Karachi

Climate Change is a human rights threat with causes and consequences that cross borders; thus, it requires a global response underpinned by international solidarity. States should share resources, knowledge, and technologies to address climate change. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to human rights of our generation, posing a serious threat to the fundamental rights to life, health, food, and an adequate standard of living of individuals and communities across the world. 

The dramatic impact of climate change has exposed devastating clarity and the integral of a healthy environment to the benefit of all our other rights. Climate change is intimately linked with human rights because of its effect on not only the environment but also our own well-being and ultimately our survival. Big powers, especially from higher-income countries with the greatest historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions, are not fulfilling their responsibilities.  

World leaders, especially those from the developed world, have the greatest responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions and do not fulfill their legal obligations to address climate change and help, in the long run, adapt to the change that has already occurred.  If these developed ones are not going to respond seriously and act quickly, the effects of the unprecedented weather conditions of frequent heat waves, excessive flooding, and rainfall will continue to rise and worsen over time, creating a threat for current and future generations. Thus, the failure of governments to act in a responsible manner to address the crises accompanying scientific evidence and frequent dialers and predictions may well be the biggest intergovernmental human rights violation in human history. 

In addition to the Government, the corporate sector is responsible for addressing and respecting human rights in the context of climate change.  The impact of climate change includes warming temperatures, changes in precipitation, and increases in the frequency or intensity of extreme weather, and rising sea levels.

These impacts threaten our health by affecting the food we eat, water we drink, air we breathe, and weather we experience.  The human actions that affect climate change, such as burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, and farming livestock, have increasingly influenced the climate and the earth’s temperature. According to Resolution 53/6 July 2023, the council recognized the importance of minimizing and addressing the loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change. 

The dangers of climate change are particularly important for Children. Climate change has threatened livelihoods in the last decade, and international, regional, and national Human Rights bodies have recorded a rise in human rights violations in accordance with climate change. Here, we consider some high-risk human rights violations that are solely connected with livelihoods. 

Access to clean water climate change is meagerly affecting and will continue to affect rising trends and the availability, accessibility, and affordability of water. This was mostly due to natural degradation changes and anthropogenic factors. Large corporate sectors are highly responsible for large-scale damage to the water system, contamination, and poor quality of water, which are sources of amenities. The right to life and climate change have a vital connection; sudden extreme weather events due to changes in the natural system, such as heat waves, wildfires, excessive flooding, and rainfall, usually lead to people losing their lives, resulting in a very high death toll, right to health, and food.      

Transforming Lives: A Decade of Street Children’s Journey in Pakistan

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Syed Muhammad Ali Bilgrami

CEO Bilgrami & Associates International

Introduction

As I write this article in April 2024, memories flood back to a pivotal moment exactly a decade ago. Nine courageous street children and myself, touched down at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. Our mission? Having represent Pakistan in the Street Child World Cup held in Rio, Brazil and won the bronze[1]. As we stepped off the plane, we were greeted by a sea of 4,000 charged football fans from across Pakistan[2]. The airport staff scrambled to get us outopening and closing one gate after the other, as this was the first time these street children experienced genuine affection and, most importantly, respect. No police officers snatched their meagre earnings or subjected them to beatings. No one molested or ridiculed them. For once, they were heroes, not invisible outcasts.

The 2014 Situational Analysis

Globally, street children faced complex socio-political challenges: India (11 million[3]) Egypt (1.5 million)[4] Kenya (0.3 million)[5] Philippines (0.25 million)[6] Germany (0.02 million)[7]. In Pakistan alone, an estimated 1.5 million[8] street children grappled with poverty, neglect, and violence[9]. Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar harboured most of this population. These resilient souls survived independently, away from formal social structures. Their numbers surged due to factors like domestic violence, family issues, poverty, peer pressure, and addiction[10]. The War on Terror also contributed to internal displacement, further swelling their ranks. Illiteracy, health issues, and vulnerability plagued them[11], with many falling victims to sexual assault[12] and crimes[13]. There was no policy or legislative agenda for them by the government.

The Turning Point

In 2014, everything changed after Street Child World Cup. The nine champs became Pakistan’s sensation, advocating for street children’s rights and protection. The National Assembly passed a groundbreaking resolution, providing social security and protection—a first. These children became ambassadors, coaches, and social workers, elevating football’s popularity in Pakistan. Corporates like HBL and the World Group supported their rehabilitation and reintegration through football.

Today’s Grim Reality

Fast-forward to today, and the situation is dire. Street children remain abandoned, betrayed by both the government and NGOs. The sport-for-development model lies forgotten, with no initiatives in sight. National Strategic Plans and Action Plans for Children overlook street children entirely. Despite two general censuses, no mapping or census has been conducted. Critical data gaps hinder policy development. UNICEF and INGOs have withdrawn funding, leaving these vulnerable children uncounted and unheard. Climate change now exacerbates internal displacement, and poverty persists as the primary driver. Protection centers are scarce, and government facilities fall short. Are we silently letting them go? Street youth involvement in crimes is rising. Is this society’s justice for ignoring them as children?

In this ongoing struggle, we must remember that street children remain “uncounted, unheard, and unseen.” Research is crucial to address the risk factors pushing them onto the streets (M. Ansari, 2019a). 

Recommendations

Pakistan faces a significant challenge with a large population of street children. To effectively address this issue, a combination of policy changes and social initiatives are needed. Conducting a national census of street children will provide crucial data for informed decision-making. Updating national action plans specifically focused on street children, along with expanding social safety nets for vulnerable families, are essential steps. Investing in education, healthcare, and regulations for safe street work activities are also key. Strengthening child protection mechanisms and reviving sports development programs like football can offer protection and opportunities. Public awareness campaigns are crucial to shift societal attitudes towards street children. Engaging the private sector through CSR initiatives and promoting community-based rehabilitation programs further strengthen the support system for these vulnerable children. By implementing these recommendations, Pakistan can work towards a future where all children are safe, protected, and have a chance to reach their full potential.

[1] https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/556574-pff-and-players-of-street-child-world-cup

[2] The Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/692840/street-child-world-cup-the-young-heroes-return-to-pakistan

[3] Consortium for Street Children’s Civil Society Forums: South Asia, 12-14 December 2001, Colombo (with Child Hope and PEACE) and East and South East Asia, 12-14 March 2003, Bangkok. Reporting by KKSP Foundation (citing ILO figures); Aparajeyo (Bangladesh); Asha Rane (India); Save the Children UK China Programme (China); World Vision Myanmar (Burma); Terre des Hommes-Lausanne, Vietnam and partners (Vietnam).

[4] UNICEF Egypt (http://www.unicef.org/media/media_39599.html)

[5] IRIN-KENYA: Nairobi’s Street Children: Hope for Kenya’s future generation (http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=69987)

[6] World Street Children News (http://streetkidnews.blogsome.com/2003/11/14/children-in-detention-in-the-philippines/)

[7] Earth Times (http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/191615,growing-number-of-street-children-in-germany-report-says.html)

[8] Asian Human Rights Commission (http://acr.hrschool.org/mainfile.php/0228/461/)

[9] Identification of Key Vulnerabilities amongst street working and living girls in selected towns of Karachi conducted by Azad Foundation in 2008.

[10] Identification of Key Vulnerabilities amongst street working and living girls in selected towns of Karachi conducted by Azad Foundation in 2008.

[11] Identification of Key Vulnerabilities amongst street working and living girls in selected towns of Karachi conducted by Azad Foundation in 2008.

[12] Ibid

[13] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2013/3/14/pakistan-detains-suspected-child-bombers

Freedom of Expression vs Right to have Correct Information

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Shaista Tabassum 

Professor of international Relations 

Dean faculty of Arts and Social Sciences 

University of Karachi, Pakistan

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right as given by Art 19 of the UDHR. The basic gain of this freedom is to increase knowledge and create understanding by dialogue on any issue among the people in any society. For any democratic culture the freedom of expression is the essential and primary stepping stone for democratic values to grow. 

In Pakistan, public faced suspension of social media when the government in the end of December2023 has gradually limited the use of social media platforms. Initially by limited access and later on slowing down the X (formerly Twitter) Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Needless to mention that Pakistan is among the top most subscriber of Facebook in the World. It was reported that due to the underwater cable faults the access to internet was slowed down, however, later on the blocking was unofficially accepted on grounds that  it was due to the presence of blasphemous content or religious immorality on the social media [atforms. The blocking was primarily caused due to reports of the misuses of social media against the government, judiciary and the military establishment. The material used by the political opponents to spread disinformation based on propaganda and twisted facts using AI technology, thus creating chaos, anti-state and anti-military establishment propaganda. In societies like Pakistan where the literacy rate is below 60% there are high chances of public being easily influenced by the disinformation. Growing concerns were expressed by the religious community on the available online content and literature as misinterpretation of Islamic laws and practices equally challenging the very fabric of the society. Pakistani society is a conservative internally and is extremely sensitive on religious sectarian lines. The material on sensitive issues linked to blasphemy and pornographic material is popular and has wide market especially among the illiterate and rural young people. 

The freedom of expression is the basic human right of an individual, if it is denied, restrained or limited he or she cannot be consider as free. Every individual has complete freedom of thinking expression and writing. Any restriction is the violation of the principles of international Human rights laws.  The debate on freedom of expression becomes more complex when the use of such rights violates or caused damage to the rights of others. Thus it is agreed by international conventions that the freedom of expression is not an unrestricted right it must be balanced by the duties or responsibilities abide by the state the media and the individuals alike.  The 1950 European convention on HR very clearly agreed that this right may be limited. The primary reason being the protection of other’s rights. Article 10 of the convention is the crux of this debate, which says’

‘’everyone has the right to freedom of expression” but that this freedom may by subject to restrictions for a variety of reasons, including to protect the rights of others: The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

This leads to yet to an extended discussion on the concept of Human rights. At the tip of the ice burg, every individual has the right to have knowledge and information but which is authentic, correct and genuine knowledge based on truth and facts not fictions or disinformation. Plato believed that knowledge is achievable but for him true knowledge must be trustworthy and also of the real. Any state of mind which cannot defend this claims cannot be the true knowledge.

While looking it from this angle it appears that the laws introduced by any government in such situation where the flood of information/disinformation is influencing the minds of the people the freedom of expression and the right of genuine information coincide in the state policy. The government as the custodian of the people security in every respect preferred that the public must be given right information. Now it is up to the masses to decide which right they prefer to have. Correct information or freedom of expression.

Technology and Human Rights: Balancing Privacy and Security in the Digital Era                                                                               

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Anju Gupta

                                                                                  Head Department of Political Science

                                                                                  JECRC University, JAIPUR(India.

The rapid advancement of technology has brought about a paradigm shift in growing world, where technology is advancing with each passing minute; the convergence of technology and human rights has become a prominent and pressing concern. Technology is bringing countless new innovations and advantages for us in terms of communication, transportation, and security, but at the same time it has presented us with significant challenges concerning the protection of individual privacy and human rights violations. The challenge is to strike a balance between privacy and security in the digital era.

  Innovation comes with its own set of concerns. Encryption can be used to protect sensitive data, while anonymization techniques can be used to protect personal information. Additionally, technology can be used to monitor and track individuals, which can help to deter crime and ensure public safety.. This is where the dilemma arises when technology is used for data breaches to expose personal information to unauthorized individuals, while surveillance technologies can be used to track people’s movements and activities. Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) can raise concerns about bias and discrimination.

The whole conversation about technology and human rights revolves around the fundamental issue of privacy. We all have the right to privacy, to keep our personal information, communication, and daily activities confidential. But the prominent question is whether Is it possible in this digital era where our online behavior is constantly under scrutiny or surveillance? Technologies like facial recognition, fingerprint detection, and AI-driven surveillance systems are brought forward to enhance the security system; however, this raises concerns about the potential misuse of this data for abuse, financial identity theft, and discrimination.

 The challenge is to strike a balance between privacy and security in the digital era requires a multifaceted approach that involves:

Transparency and Accountability: Organizations collecting data must be transparent and accountable. Accountability systems are necessary to guarantee to use data in a responsible and moral manner.

 Ethical Technology Development:  Developers and engineers must ensure that ethics are their first priority. It is crucial to make sure that surveillance and AI systems are created with privacy protections in mind. 

Strong Legal framework: The government should introduce data protection laws globally to maintain the privacy and security of personal data. These gatekeepers will ensure that citizens’ data is morally and ethically used by the organization.

Public Awareness: Individuals need to be vigilant of the risks and benefits of using technology. They also need to be educated about how to protect their privacy and security online.

The impact of digital technology on human rights is complex and multifaceted. It is important to be aware of both the positive and negative impacts of digital technology in order to make informed decisions about its use.  There is a need to strike a balance between privacy and technology.  The digital age is not just to adapt to new technology but also to thrive while upholding the fundamental human rights values that form the basis of our democratic society. The way forward in this dynamic and linked world is obvious: we must choose a road that upholds people’s rights, protects their privacy, and assures their security. It’s a difficult road, but one that is necessary to uphold the values of democracy, freedom, and dignity that make the nations of the world what they are. The digital era is not necessarily a threat to human rights; rather, it can be a stimulus for peaceful coexistence between technology and mankind.