Research Handbook on Accountability for Human Rights Violations

Despite the expansion of the human rights paradigm, not only in terms of the variety of rights recognized - both general rights and those for particular groups - but also in terms of available supervisory mechanisms and remedies, multiple challenges can still be identified for the realization of the effective enjoyment of fundamental rights.

This thought-provoking Research Handbook explores accountability for human rights violations in terms of international law from a rich spectrum of angles. A conceptual angle, investigating the broader understanding of ‘accountability’, is followed by explorations of the who (can be held accountable), for (the violation of) what (rights), how (following what supervisory mechanisms) and to what extent (leading to what remedies). These angles translate into the five main parts of the Research Handbook and are complemented by a sixth part with contemporary case studies whereby, in each case study, the focus will be placed on a particular accountability challenge.

Kristin Henrard and Michelle Duin bring together contributions from a wide variety of authors, including both established experts and emerging scholars in the fields of public international law and international human rights law.

The Research Handbook on Accountability for Human Rights Violations is a vital resource for students and academics in law and public policy. Its valuable insights into human rights violations will also greatly benefit human rights policymakers and practitioners in international and humanitarian law.

table of content

PART I INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTABILITY

 

1. The concept of accountability

Carolyn Moser

 

2. Accountability in international law

Karen de Vos and Jan Wouters

 

PART II WHO AND TO WHOM: ACTORS

 

3. (Extra)territorial obligations of states

Marten Zwanenburg

 

4. The territorial state’s human rights obligations in areas of limited statehood

Linda Hamid

 

5. The employment of human rights to demand accountability for activities of international organizations harming individuals

Lorenzo Gasbarri

 

6. Non-governmental organization’s accountability for human rights abuses: discourses, developments, and dangers

Math Noortmann

 

7. Corporate accountability for human rights abuses

Justine Nolan

 

8. Accountability and non-state organised armed groups

Helen Duffy

 

9. Individuals (international criminal law)

Stefanie Wilhem-Jansen

 

PART III FOR WHAT: NORM SECTION

 

10. Accountability for violations of civil and political rights: redress within and beyond the penal frame

Mattia Pinto and Natalia Mavronicola

 

11. Accountability for violations of economic, social and cultural rights

Annick Pijnenburg

 

12. Children’s rights and accountability under international law

Dr Gamze Erdem Türkelli

 

13. Accountability challenges for minorities’ (equal enjoyment of) fundamental rights: vague norms, states’ sovereignty and legitimacy concerns of international courts

Kristin Henrard

 

14. Legal accountability, human rights and the environment: identifying thresholds and (im)possibilities

Michelle Duin

 

15. Accountability for the violation of the right to development: prospects and challenges

Professor Serges Djoyou Kamga

 

PART IV IN WHAT WAY: SUPERVISORY MECHANISMS AND MODUS OPERANDI

 

16. Accountability at the Human Rights Council Sangeeta Shah and Rosa Freedman

 

17. The ombuds’ role in holding states accountable for human rights violations: persuasion and legal mechanisms

Carlos Alberto Alza

 

18. (Quasi) courts and issues of standing of individuals

Vera Shikhelman

 

19. The burden and standard of proof in international human rights courts

Tobias Thienel

 

20. Standards of review in international courts

Shai Dothan

 

21. Securing accountability for systemic human rights violations in Europe? Taking stock of pilot judgments

Alice Donald and Philip Leach

 

PART V TO WHAT EXTENT: REMEDIES AND COMPLIANCE

 

22. Accountability in human rights law: an introduction to remedies

Dinah Shelton

 

23. Accountability in international complaint procedures and the use of interim measures in urgent cases

Eva Rieter

 

24. Reparations in the form of restitution and compensation before selected human rights mechanisms

Gentian Zyberi

 

25. Legislative measures as remedies for violations of international human rights law in the three regional systems

 

26. Accountability through supervision mechanisms – the example of the European human rights system

Veronika Fikfak

 

PART VI CASE STUDIES

 

27. Accountability for LGBTI human rights violations

Kseniya A Kirichenko

 

28. Accountability for human rights violations in the context of forced displacement

Geoff Gilbert

 

29. Human rights at sea: boat disasters and the accountability of the EU and its member states

Mariana Gkliati

 

30. Addressing statelessness: evaluating the performance of UN monitoring mechanisms

Vera Karanika, Stefania Tantimonaco and Laura van Waas

 

31. Human rights, climate change and remedies

Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh and Melina Antoniadis

 

32. Extraterritorial military action and human rights: accountability and its challenges

Leander Beinlich

 

33. Blurred lines of responsibility for human rights abuses at mega-sporting events

Dr Daniela Heerdt

 

34. Duties of the individual in international human rights law

Mando Rachovitsa