International human rights agreements And treaties Flashcards
(18 cards)
Name 8 of the human rights listed in the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights
We are all born free and equal.
Right to life.
We are all equal before the law.
We are always innocent until proven guilty.
Freedom of expression.
Right to education.
Right to democracy.
Rights to a job, a fair wage and a membership of a trade union.
what, when, who, ensures what, court
What is the ECHR
The European convention on human rights and fundamental freedoms
Adopted in 1950, came into force 1953
The convention and the European court of human rights are part of the council of Europe
Convention ensured rights stated in UDHR came into effect in European countries, establishing an international court.
The court is in Strasbourg, France and is made up of judges from each of the member countries.
Name 5 articles from the ECHR
Prohibition of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Prohibition of slavery and forced labour.
Right to a fair trial.
No punishment without law.
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
who, when, how many
What is the UNCRC
The UN convention on the rights of the child
Signed 1990
54 articles
UK law 1992
All UN members except USA
Name two rights of the child
The right to be protected from abuse or exploitation.
The right to having their privacy protected.
What does the IHL aim to do
International humanitarian law
Protect people who are not involved or are no longer involved in hostilities for example the sick and wounded, prisoners and civilians.
Set out the rights and obligations of those involved in the armed conflict.
Helped by the Geneva Conventions and The Hague convention.
What was the Geneva convention?
A set of international rules to protect people in war. It ensures soldiers are treated humanely, bans things like poison gas and landmines, and protects civilians and children. For example, it stops the use of chemical weapons like mustard gas and makes sure injured soldiers get help. The Red Cross helps enforce it.
What was The Hague convention?
A series of international agreements starting in 1899 that govern the conduct of war, such as protecting civilians and limiting weapons. It was amended in 1907 and provided the legal basis for the Nuremberg Trials after WW2. In 1980, a convention was added to tackle child trafficking and abduction.
IHL states what about protecting civilians
Civilians must be treated humanely at all times.
Protects them from violence, torture, and murder, ensuring fair trials if arrested.
Those helping civilians (e.g., medical teams) must also be protected.
Prioritize vulnerable groups like women, children, the elderly, the sick, and refugees. Forced movement is prohibited.
Families must not be separated, and efforts must be made to reunite them.
What is the international criminal court (ICC)
After WW2, war crimes trials were held in Nuremberg and Tokyo, where individuals were charged with war crimes, crimes against peace, and crimes against humanity.
In the 1990s, tribunals were set up for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
In 1998, the Rome Statute created the permanent International Criminal Court (ICC), with 120 countries signing it.
The ICC is based in The Hague, Netherlands.
The court investigates alleged abuses in countries like Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, and Libya.
How were war crimes defined by the ICC
Acts like wilful killing, torture, forced displacement, and taking hostages.
Includes destroying property, forcing prisoners of war to fight, and denying POWs a fair trial.
What is the term of ‘distinction’ based on the Geneva conventions
People in a fight must know the difference between regular people and fighters, and also between regular building and military targets
What is the term of ‘non international armed conflict’ based on the Geneva conventions
Armed conflict can happen when a country fights against a group of people who are not a part of a government, or when diff entry groups of non government fighters are battling each other
What is the term of ‘humane treatment’ based on the Geneva conventions
Everyone should be treated with kindness and respect and no one should be treated unfairly because of who they are
What is the term of ‘international armed conflict ’ based on the Geneva conventions
Armed conflict is when one or more countries use force against another country, no matter how intense the fighting is
What is the term of ‘proportionality’ based on the Geneva conventions
You’re not allowed to attack if it could hurt people or damage property too much compared to the military advantage you can expect to gain
What is the term of ‘military necessity ’ based on the Geneva conventions
Solders should only do what needed or achieve a valid military goal, for example they should only target the facilities that, if destroyed, will make the other side surrender quickly
what is the HRA
Human rights act 1998
- ensured ECHR embedded in UK law
- Uk citizens can bring to and have cases resolved in UK courts (not strausbourg)
- UK courts have to abide by and take account of decisions of the court of strausbourg when making own decisions
- uk public bodies have to abide by the european convention
