Human Rights

We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations." - The Earth Chartercaptivity without trial, where, how and why the West chooses to intervene in planetary crises, and urgent questions over legality of conflicts and deliberate deception of voters.

Human Rights and the Rule of Law

In spite of worldwide condemnation, murder, execution and brutality remain commonplace. Giles Crosse examines how the perpetrators get away with it.

Western countries are skilled at dealing out parking tickets or speeding fines. Yet these very same democracies often seem powerless to intervene when faced with dictatorships, tribal conflicts or other scenarios where the needy seek protection.

Equally, these very same democracies should themselves be held to account surrounding captivity without trial, where, how and why the West chooses to intervene in planetary crises, and urgent questions over legality of conflicts and deliberate deception of voters. Read More

Supporting resources:
United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Principles and Guidelines 
United Nations: Millennium Declaration 
United Nations Security Council: The rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict societies 
United Nations General Assembly: In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all post-conflict societies 
International Court of Justice: Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Georgia v. Russian Federation)

Video:


Articles:
1. Conflicting views: War and conflict have long been among the greatest threats to global sustainability and harmony
Monday 25 Jan 2010
Supporting resources:
Amnesty International: Human Rights Challenges - Somaliland facing elections 
Amnesty International: SHATTERED LIVES BEYOND THE 2008-2009 MINDANAO ARMED CONFLICT 
Amnesty International: israel-OPT Fuelling conflict: foreign arms supplies to Israel/Gaza 
Initiative for Peace Building / International Alert: A CLIMATE OF CONFLICT The links between climate change, peace and war by Dan Smith, Janani Vivekananda November 2007 
Initiative for Peace Building / International Alert: CLIMATE CHANGE, CONFLICT AND FRAGILITY Understanding the linkages, shaping effective responses by Dan Smith, Janani Vivekananda, November 2009 
International Crisis Group NEPAL: PEACE AND JUSTICE -Asia Report N°184 – 14 January 2010

2. Coal Pollution and India’s Crippled Children
Wednesday 2 September 2009
3. Foundations of Future Justice
Wednesday 19 August 2009