Articles tagged with Human Rights
The Human Right to Environment affirms the right to life itself, securing human health and wellbeing when humans protect nature. The recognition of this right drives governmental enforcement of environmental protection norms, requiring systemic change to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
A new type of regulation is needed to support and encourage organisations to comply with equality and human rights law. The current enforcement pyramid fails to recognise innovation or good practice, instead relying on penalties that may deter staff from taking action.
The medical community should build systems responsive to the LGBTQI+ population, providing safe spaces for refugees and asylum-seekers. Clinicians need to know how to probe and document experiences of childhood trauma and abuse to provide effective support.
A coalition of experts warns that Israel's amendment restricts judicial scrutiny of ministerial decisions, posing a threat to public health and the Health in All Policies principle. The authors argue that this erosion could have far-reaching global implications.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports found that search-and-rescue operations did not drive migrant crossing attempts in the central Mediterranean. Factors such as conflict intensity, commodity prices, and natural disasters appeared to be key drivers of migration across the region.
The EU project Remote XUAR uses remote research methods to analyze the situation in Xinjiang. Researchers use internet-based document analyses, discourse analysis on social media, and satellite-based remote sensing to study everyday changes in the region.
A nationwide survey in the Central African Republic found a severe health emergency with a 5.6% mortality rate, four times higher than UN estimates, and widespread malnutrition, food insecurity, and violence, with 82.3% of households reporting adults ate ≤1 meals per day
A new study calls for internet access to be declared a basic human right to address socio-economic disparities. In developing countries, internet access can determine education, healthcare, housing, and employment outcomes. The study advocates for free internet access and digital skills training to ensure equal opportunities.
A recent NC State University study examines the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and law enforcement. The study reveals that law enforcement agencies must be involved in developing public policies regarding AI technologies, such as autonomous vehicles. Key findings also suggest that many officers lack understanding of ...
A review of 182 nations found that almost all countries penalize those seeking an abortion (134 countries), providers (181 countries), and people assisting in the procedure (159 countries). The study highlights the need for better access to safe abortions and increased support for trained providers.
The Holocaust Centre North has been awarded a £105,000 grant from the Claims Conference to expand its collection of Holocaust-related materials. The project will digitize the centre's physical archive and increase its size by 50%, making it more accessible to researchers and the public.
A CU Boulder-led study finds that Indigenous communities with full, formal recognition of their land rights experience less deforestation and increased reforestation in the Atlantic Forest. The research supports ongoing efforts to recognize Indigenous peoples' land rights and mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss.
A survey of 3,021 people in Brazil found that Black women experience the highest rate of tooth loss, with a 26% higher proportion than white women. The study suggests that socioeconomic status and racism are major contributors to these disparities.
A study examines the UN's terrorist list and its ombudsperson, highlighting problematic processes and potential flaws in the sanctions regime. The researcher argues that the ombudsperson embodies a new trend in international law, offering a compromise between Western standards for the rule of law and state interests.
The special issue explores key characteristics of ethical codes, their underlying values, and challenges in implementing them. Studies highlight common ethical values across cultures, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and care in early childhood education.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that telemedicine can provide safe and effective abortion services without routine ultrasound exams. Women who received telemedicine care had treatment results similar to those who received standard care, and preferred the option.
A recent meta-analysis reports that female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is declining in 26 countries, but progress is slow in others. The study estimates 100 million women and girls have been affected globally, with many countries not reporting on the practice.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued a position paper on the ethical use of genetic testing and precision medicine in internal medicine. The guidelines address key issues such as incidental findings, education for physicians and patients, and counseling needs. ACP emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and anticoag...
Researchers found evidence of extreme police brutality and forced expulsions of hundreds of asylum seekers from Croatia, with over 25,000 people affected. The study also reveals the use of 'chain pushbacks' involving multiple EU countries and Croatian police violence against migrants.
Researchers found that board gender diversity is positively associated with firms' social commitment to human rights, product responsibility, and community engagement. Having female directors can indicate a company's commitment to creating a positive social impact.
A study published in the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice found that mass shootings in the US account for 73% of all incidents in developed countries, resulting in 816 deaths. The research identified distinct characteristics of US mass shootings, including ideological motives and relationship problems.
Dr. Mona Fouad has been recognized for her leadership in health disparities research and commitment to equity in healthcare. Her work has led to the development of rigorous research and interventions to make healthcare more accessible to historically underserved populations.
A new €1.5 million project led by Dr Mel Channon will investigate menstrual justice and injustice in low- and middle-income countries, focusing on Nepal and Guatemala. The research aims to improve women's experiences and reduce negative impacts of menstruation, with a focus on menstrual pain.
A new study by Radboud University reveals that birth registrations in Africa are hindered by contextual factors such as rural-urban differences and centralized registration systems. The research suggests addressing these broader factors to increase birth registrations and ensure essential human rights for unregistered children.
A new Penn State study found that people are more likely to choose empathy for an animal over a human, but only when the choices are not in competition. When context matters, people's willingness to engage in human empathy decreases, while their interest in animal empathy increases.
A new Stanford University-led study uses machine learning and human insights to map regions and ports most at risk for illicit practices, like forced labor or illegal catch. The results highlight two main risk factors: the vessel's flag state and type of fishing gear onboard.
A new analysis suggests that ending automatic early release from prison for terrorists will undermine their rehabilitation and threaten their human rights. The study, published in Legal Studies, argues that the changes, known as TORERA 2020, create a 'cliff-edge' in managing the risks of releasing terrorists.
Researchers found that over half of autistic people were considered vulnerable adults, but only a quarter received reasonable adjustments. Autistic defendants often experienced meltdowns and stress due to lack of understanding from law enforcement and courts.
The Academic Freedom Index 2022 reveals that academic freedom has decreased substantially in nineteen countries and territories, affecting nearly two in five people worldwide. This decline affects some of the world's most academically advanced nations, including Mexico, Poland, and the USA.
A new study found that over two-thirds of UK social scientists believe their academic freedom is at risk, with internationalisation and the rise of authoritarian states like China being major concerns. The survey also showed that academics are reluctant to self-censor when teaching students from autocratic states in the UK.
A study by McGill University researchers found that child marriages in 14 US states violated statutory rape laws, often due to exemptions allowing sex between married couples. The research highlights the need to reexamine marital exemptions and raise the minimum legal age for marriage to avoid inconsistencies.
The global healthcare cost of female genital mutilation (FGM) is estimated to double from $1.4 billion in 2018 to $2.1 billion by 2047 in 27 countries, with the number of affected women and girls rising to 205 million per year. Abandoning FGM completely could reduce costs to $0.8 billion annually.
A Swansea law expert has been awarded €1.5 million to study the impact of deepfakes on public perceptions of user-generated evidence in human rights trials. The project, TRUE, will track changes in trust over time and develop a systematic account of its role in accountability processes.
The 74th APS Division of Fluid Dynamics Annual Meeting featured presentations on COVID-proofing daily life, kimchi physics, and extreme heat waves. Researchers also discussed advancements in fire-fighting trees and the science behind jellyfish engineers.
The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry publishes a special issue to strengthen the rights and voices of older people worldwide. The issue aims to reduce the burden of ageism, mentalism and ableism, which currently permeates virtually every aspect of older persons' lives.
A study of 541 survivors in Kenya found children were 1.6 times more likely to be attacked during the day and 1.7 times more likely to be attacked in private, compared to adults. The research highlights the need for policy-makers to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) risks in national crisis policies.
The need for public engagement on menstrual health is emphasized by a commentary in JAMA, highlighting the importance of sufficient funding and research. Menstrual equity is recognized as a human rights and public health issue with significant disparities affecting schoolgirls, women, and those experiencing homelessness.
Researchers at Brown University introduce 'dignity neuroscience,' arguing that universal rights are rooted in human brain science. The concept posits five core elements - agency, autonomy, and self-determination; freedom from want and fear; uniqueness; and unconditionality - which reflect fundamental features of the human brain.
The article highlights a new book that advocates for a human rights framework to be central to the planning of post-COVID UK social policy. The authors argue that this approach prioritizes medical care, food, housing, and digital technology, which are essential for addressing inequality and ensuring equity, justice, and sustainability.
Researchers used satellite technology to identify migrant settlements in southern Greece, where thousands of Bangladeshi workers were exploited. They developed a decision model to prioritize victims and allocate resources to improve living conditions.
A UCLA study finds the US is one of only a few high-income countries without specific laws limiting child migration detention. The country offers minimal protection for unaccompanied minors and detained children, putting their access to healthcare and education at risk.
A DNA-led framework is needed to reunite separated migrant families, prioritizing scientific rigor and rights protection. The proposed framework addresses trauma-informed protocols and existing standards for DNA technology, aiming to establish a global protocol for living family reunification.
Researchers propose using human rights principles to allocate COVID-19 vaccines, considering social vulnerability alongside medical risk. An intersectional approach would prioritize those with overlapping vulnerabilities, such as age and economic status.
Paul Farmer, a renowned global health expert, has been awarded the Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture for his groundbreaking work on infectious diseases, social inequality, and human rights. His impactful ideas have reshaped how we think about health and disease, particularly in resource-poor communities.
A recent study by the University of Michigan found that internet censorship is increasing in 103 countries, including Norway, Japan, and India. The Censored Planet tool collected over 21 billion measurements across 20 months in 221 countries, revealing widespread blocking of human rights sites, same-sex dating sites, and news outlets.
Acknowledging a universal human right to health can motivate individuals and groups to create significant improvements in global health. By recognizing this fundamental right, people may refuse to accept impossibility and develop innovative solutions, as seen with HIV/AIDS access efforts that reduced treatment costs.
A new study warns that relying too heavily on AI to manage international migration could lead to serious breaches of human rights. AI can improve reception conditions and predict future crises, but it also risks reinforcing unlawful practices and discrimination.
A new analysis by New York University researchers found that policies regulating international fishing often fail to protect fisheries observers from life-threatening risks. The study revealed significant gaps in observer safety and rights, with only three RFMOs mandating full observer coverage on fishing vessels.
Primary care physicians should discuss 'virginity' testing as part of comprehensive sexual education, building trust and assessing knowledge, attitudes and practice in at-risk patients.
Research by Lancaster University and the University of Oregon reveals that infertility disproportionately affects working-class people, those with disabilities, and others. The study calls for greater healthcare equity and inclusive reproductive health surveillance to address these disparities.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a system called Video Event Reconstruction and Analysis (VERA) that can accurately locate a shooter based on video recordings from as few as three smartphones. VERA uses machine learning techniques to synchronize video feeds and calculate the position of each camera, with audio p...
The RIVERS project explores the relationship between water and indigenous human rights, analyzing traditional knowledge and its impact on extractive projects and international law. Empirical case studies in Colombia, Nepal, and the UN system highlight the need for a new understanding of water beyond nature and culture.
A new study argues that free internet access is essential for protecting fundamental human rights, particularly in developing countries. The research highlights the importance of universal access to enable billions of people to lead 'minimally decent lives'.
Researchers Karen Culcasi and Cynthia Gorman examine how international laws formed after WWI contributed to today's hostile climate for refugees. They found that the creation of new countries, nationalism, and the establishment of international governance entities like the League of Nations shaped refugee law.
A new study warns that digital identity technologies could facilitate persecution and discrimination against ethnic minorities if not designed with safeguards. The University of Exeter Law School research highlights the need for high standards of privacy and data protection to protect human rights.
Research published in BMJ Open found that countries with strong women's rights had better health outcomes, including lower disease rates and higher life expectancy. The study suggests that promoting women's economic and social rights can have a significant impact on positive health outcomes, even in resource-poor countries.
A new study by FSU Assistant Professor Patricia Homan found that living in a state with high levels of structural sexism worsens health outcomes for both men and women, with chronic conditions and poor physical function on the rise. States with lower levels of sexism, such as Maryland and California, had better health profiles.
A UTSA political scientist analyzes the UN's Twitter feed to understand its potential as a diplomacy tool. The researcher found that tweets from the UN and its member states are often self-referential and lack substantial debate on global issues, resulting in limited engagement.
A study found significant racial discrimination in New York City's rental housing market, with Hispanics facing a 28% decrease in landlord responses and 49% lower offer rates compared to whites. Researchers used phone calls from the NYC Commission on Human Rights to test policy interventions.
A Kanazawa University researcher identifies features limiting UNESCO's Memory of the World program, focusing on disagreement between China and Japan over Nanjing Massacre documents. The professor proposes alleviating tension through state participation and transparency in the nomination process.