Robust Human Rights Governance: Developing International Criteria
Many states are now committed to implementing
international human rights standards domestically. In terms of
practical governance, how might effectiveness be measured? A facevalue
answer can be found in domestic laws and institutions relating
to human rights. However, this article provides two further tools to
help states assess their status on the spectrum of robust to fragile
human rights governance. The first recognises that each state has its
own 'human rights history' and the ideal end stage is robust human
rights governance, and the second is developing criteria to assess
robustness. Although a New Zealand case study is used to illustrate
these tools, the widespread adoption of human rights standards by
many states inevitably means that the issues are relevant to other
countries. This is even though there will always be varying degrees of
similarity-difference in constitutional background and developed or
emerging human rights systems.
[1] Bradford and G. Scott, Developing Robust Economic Governance
Systems: A Project for the World Bank MDTF for Research and
Knowledge Work on Fragile States. Final Report - Volume 1: Main
Report. Washington DC: The World Bank, 2009.
[2] Department for International Development, Why Do We Need to Work
More Effectively in Fragile States? London, UK: DFID, 2005.
[3] Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Fragile
States: Policy Commitment and Principles for Good International
Engagement in Fragile States and Situations. Paris, France: OECD,
2007.
[4] Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Action Plan for Human
Rights 2005-2010. Wellington, NZ: HRC, 2005.
[5] Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Handbook on
International Human Rights. Wellington, NZ: MFAT, 2008, p.12.
[6] United Nations General Assembly, Human Rights Council: National
Report Submitted in Accordance with Paragraph 15 (A) of the Annex to
Human Rights Council Resolution 5/1 - New Zealand
(A/HRC/WG.6/5/NZL/1) 9 April 2009. Geneva, Switzerland: UN, 2009,
p. 4.
[7] United Nations Economic and Social Council, Report of the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights and Follow-up to the World
Conference on Human Rights (E.CN.4/2003/14) (UN, Geneva,
Switzerland, 2003), p. 403.
[8] Ministry of Justice, Re-evaluation of the Human Rights Protections in
New Zealand: Report for the Associate Minister of Justice and Attorney-
General Hon. Margaret Wilson. Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Justice,
2000.
[1] Bradford and G. Scott, Developing Robust Economic Governance
Systems: A Project for the World Bank MDTF for Research and
Knowledge Work on Fragile States. Final Report - Volume 1: Main
Report. Washington DC: The World Bank, 2009.
[2] Department for International Development, Why Do We Need to Work
More Effectively in Fragile States? London, UK: DFID, 2005.
[3] Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Fragile
States: Policy Commitment and Principles for Good International
Engagement in Fragile States and Situations. Paris, France: OECD,
2007.
[4] Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Action Plan for Human
Rights 2005-2010. Wellington, NZ: HRC, 2005.
[5] Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Handbook on
International Human Rights. Wellington, NZ: MFAT, 2008, p.12.
[6] United Nations General Assembly, Human Rights Council: National
Report Submitted in Accordance with Paragraph 15 (A) of the Annex to
Human Rights Council Resolution 5/1 - New Zealand
(A/HRC/WG.6/5/NZL/1) 9 April 2009. Geneva, Switzerland: UN, 2009,
p. 4.
[7] United Nations Economic and Social Council, Report of the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights and Follow-up to the World
Conference on Human Rights (E.CN.4/2003/14) (UN, Geneva,
Switzerland, 2003), p. 403.
[8] Ministry of Justice, Re-evaluation of the Human Rights Protections in
New Zealand: Report for the Associate Minister of Justice and Attorney-
General Hon. Margaret Wilson. Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Justice,
2000.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:58923", author = "Helen P. Greatrex", title = "Robust Human Rights Governance: Developing International Criteria", abstract = "Many states are now committed to implementing
international human rights standards domestically. In terms of
practical governance, how might effectiveness be measured? A facevalue
answer can be found in domestic laws and institutions relating
to human rights. However, this article provides two further tools to
help states assess their status on the spectrum of robust to fragile
human rights governance. The first recognises that each state has its
own 'human rights history' and the ideal end stage is robust human
rights governance, and the second is developing criteria to assess
robustness. Although a New Zealand case study is used to illustrate
these tools, the widespread adoption of human rights standards by
many states inevitably means that the issues are relevant to other
countries. This is even though there will always be varying degrees of
similarity-difference in constitutional background and developed or
emerging human rights systems.", keywords = "robust human rights governance, fragile states.", volume = "6", number = "5", pages = "908-3", }