Human Rights

Human rights and the rule of law are not synonymous, but they do overlap and function symbiotically. In the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, they "represent universally applicable standards adopted under the auspices of the United Nations and must therefore serve as the normative basis for all United Nations activities in support of justice and the rule of law."

To summarize, the stronger human rights, the stronger the rule of law. Together, they form a framework for decision- and policy-making that is anchored by legality, accountability and participation. In this, they create a fertile ground for development and social transformation.

‘Without rule of law, human rights are paper promises.’

‘Human rights and rule of law have to go hand in hand.

Fear, shame, women and the law

In 100 countries worldwide, women are barred from doing certain work solely because they are women. Over 150 countries have laws that are discriminatory to women, and only 18 countries are free of such laws. In 32 countries, women cannot apply for passports in the same way as men.

An historic window of opportunity for rule of law in Myanmar

IDLO's Victoria Harrison Neves, spoke to our Country Representative for Myanmar, Kartik Sharma, about the transition underway in that country, the opportunities for supporting the rule of law at this time, and the practicalities of working in such an environment.

IDLO - When did you arrive in Myanmar?

32nd Session of the Human Rights Council: Human rights of women

STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LAW ORGANIZATION

32nd Session of the Human Rights Council: annual full-day discussions on the human rights of women

June 16, 2016

Geneva

32nd Session of the Human Rights Council: 10th anniversary

STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LAW ORGANIZATION

32nd Session of the Human Rights Council: High-Level Panel on the 10th anniversary of the Human Rights Council

June 13, 2016

Geneva

Delivered by Julian Fleet, Permanent Observer to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, IDLO

Call for sub-project concept notes

Promoting increased accountability for sexual and gender-based violence in Liberia.

Focusing on human rights issues in South Sudan

More than 120 participants attended a three-day symposium in South Sudan, organised by the College of Law (COL) and supported by IDLO, to promote awareness of and dialogue on contemporary human rights issues.

Egypt's landmark court decision on HIV discrimination

In 2015, Ahmed* was dismissed from his job as a plumber in a Giza club when his employer discovered he was infected with HIV. In February 2016, in a landmark decision for Egypt and the Arab region, an Egyptian court ruled that HIV infection was not grounds for dismissal under the Labor Code (No.12 of 2003).

World Humanitarian Summit Plenary

STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LAW ORGANIZATION

World Humanitarian Summit

Plenary

May 24, 2016

Istanbul, Turkey

Delivered by Irene Khan, Director General, IDLO. Video available for viewing below.

Mr. Chairperson,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Key Initiatives

Evaluation (Mid-Term) of the project "Reducing Violence and Homicide through Access to Justice in San Pedro Sula, Honduras"

As part of IDLO’s continuous commitment to accountability and results-based management, IDLO is pleased to share this Mid-Term Evaluation Brief for the project, “Reducing Violence and Homicide through Access to Justice in Chamelecon, Satelite and Rivera Hernandez Neighborhoods of San Pedro Sula, Honduras”. The evaluation has been conducted by independent evaluation experts, supervised by IDLO’s Evaluation Unit.
Prevention and accountability for sexual and gender-based violence in Myanmar

Strengthening prevention and accountability for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through the rule of law and access to justice has been a priority for the Government of Myanmar since 2011, when it embarked on an unprecedented transition towards democracy. SGBV cases are rarely reported and, when they are, the justice sector fails to provide adequate remedies. Therefore, there is a widely recognized need to increase prevention of and accountability for SGBV.
Strengthening the capacity to investigate human rights violations in Yemen

Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, has been devastated by armed conflict since September 2014. The conflict has received limited international coverage and human rights violations and violations under international humanitarian law suffered by the civilian population have been grossly underreported. All parties to the conflict have been linked to serious violations of international law, with inadequate accountability mechanisms in place to ensure justice for victims.
Somalia Joint Justice Program

In Somalia, alternative justice mechanisms remain the main providers of justice services for lack of formal justice institutions. However, these justice mechanisms can be discriminatory particularly against women, youth and minority clans.
Strengthening the Alternative Dispute Resolution in Somalia

Lack of access to a fair and equitable justice system is one of the most pressing problems confronting modern Somalia on its path towards stability and reconstruction. Informal justice systems, offering alternative dispute resolution are often much better placed to respond to the immediate justice needs of many Somalis seeking justice, as they have more legitimacy and are more easily accessible. To enhance access to justice in Somalia, it is therefore essential to engage with the alternative dispute resolution systems.
Evaluation of the “Law Schools – HIV” Project

As part of IDLO’s continuous commitment to accountability and results-based management, IDLO is pleased to share this Evaluati