Human Rights: Concepts,

Development, and International

Frameworks
Based on Unit I and Unit II
Documents
SECTION I: KEY CONCEPTS OF
HUMAN RIGHTS
 Learning Outcomes - Unit I
• - Explain the basic concept of governing the
application of human rights
• - Design a human rights framework applying
UN HR instruments
• - Trace the historical development of human
rights
• - Develop solutions on the challenges of
human rights
 Example: Freedom of speech
allows citizens to express opinions
without fear. This right is
• • Human – living being capable of emotions
recognized universally, but its limits
• • Rights – legal, social, or ethical entitlements
• • HumanmayRightsvary byinherent
– rights [Link] all human
beings
• • Religious/Philosophical perspectives:
Confucianism, Islam, Christianity
 Example: A government respects
human rights by not engaging in
censorship, protects rights by
• 1. prosecuting
Respect – Abstainhate crimes,rights
from violating and
• fulfills
2. Protectthem by ensuring
– Prevent access to
others from violating
rights
education and healthcare.
• 3. Fulfill – Ensure opportunities for needs
satisfaction
 Example: In countries where the
death penalty exists, international
law requires it only be applied for
•the most
• Article 3 - serious
UDHR crimes and never
against
• • Article minors
6 - ICCPR: or right
Inherent pregnant
to life, limits
on death penalty
women.
• • Human Rights Act, Article 2: Government
duty to safeguard life
 Example: The universality of rights
means that both a farmer in Asia
and a student in Europe are
• • Inherent, Fundamental, Inalienable,
equally entitled to education and
Imprescriptible
freedom
• • Indivisible, of expression.
Universal, Interdependent
Example: Transparency is practiced
when governments publish clear
data on human rights cases, and
• • Universality, Indivisibility, Participation
accountability occurs when
• • Accountability, Transparency, Non- courts
punish violations such as unlawful
Discrimination
detention.
 limited the power of the king and
laid the groundwork for modern
constitutional law. The Universal
• • Cyrus Cylinder (539 B.C.)
Declaration
• • Magna Carta (1215) of Human Rights
(1948)
• • Petition became
of Right (1628) the global
• benchmark for
• US Declaration human dignity
of Independence (1776)and
freedom.
• • French Declaration (1789)
• • Geneva Convention (1864)
• • UN & UDHR (1945–1948)
 Example: Non-state actors like
Amnesty International advocate for
prisoners of conscience, while
• •governments pass lawsprotect,
State Actors – Governments: ensuring
respect, fulfill rights
equal treatment regardless of
• • Non-State Actors – NGOs, IGOs, Civil society,
individuals gender or race.
• • Shared duty to promote and protect rights
SECTION II: INTERNATIONAL
DECLARATIONS AND COVENANTS
 Learning Outcomes - Unit II
• - Identify the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights
• - Classify International HR Instruments &
Monitoring Bodies
• - Understand UN toolkits & Prisoner
Treatment Standards
 Example: Article 19 protects the
right to freedom of expression,
• • Adopted 1948, foundation of HR law
allowing journalists
• • Preamble & 30 Articles to report freely
• • Covers without censorship.
civil, political, economic, social,
cultural rights
 UN HR Monitoring Mechanisms
• 1. Treaty-Based Bodies – Committees
monitoring treaties
• 2. Charter-Based Bodies – Human Rights
Council, UPR, Special Procedures
 Example: CEDAW has helped
reform laws in many countries,
• •such
CERDas removing
– Racial discriminatory
Discrimination
• inheritance rulesSocial,
• CESCR – Economic, against women.
Cultural Rights
• • CEDAW – Women’s Rights
• • CRC – Rights of the Child
• • CAT – Against Torture
• • CMW – Migrant Workers
• • CRPD – Persons with Disabilities
• • CED – Enforced Disappearances
 Example: The Universal Periodic
Review (UPR) evaluates every UN
member state. For instance, it
• reviewed theCouncil
• Human Rights Philippines'
(47 States) human
rights
• • Special practices
Procedures regarding
(experts)
• • Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
extrajudicial killings.
• • Independent Investigations (fact-finding
missions)
 Example: The International Court
of Justice has settled disputes such
as border conflicts peacefully
• • UN General Assembly – deliberative body
between nations, upholding
• • UN Security Council – peace & security
• international
• ECOSOC – economiclaw&andsocialpreventing
coordination
• • ICJ – internationalwars.
disputes
• • Secretariat – administrative arm
 Example: The Mandela Rules
inspired reforms in prison systems
worldwide,
• • Adopted such 2015
1955, revised as improving
as Mandela
Rules
healthcare access for inmates in
• • Non-binding but global minimum standard
Latin America.
• • Covers: accommodation, hygiene, food,
medical care,
• discipline, contact with outside world,
rehabilitation