Abstract
The chapter links human rights international standards and institutions to grass-roots human rights culture and its impact on social cohesion in South Asia. It begins with the analysis of the linkage between the concepts of human rights and social cohesion and draws attention to some complementarity of both concepts. Then it analyses how the international human rights standards and associated implementation machinery could be used to advance social cohesion around the world. The chapter analyses the contemporary social cohesion trends globally and in South Asia, and examines the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in advancing human rights culture.
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Notes
- 1.
For a good discussion of the concepts of cultural relativism and universality of human rights see: Donnelly (1984).
- 2.
- 3.
Since its creation in 2006 the UNHRC has convened some 30 urgent sessions with about 40% of them focussing on Israel and none on China, Iran, North Korea, Turkey, Yemen or Zimbabwe. UNHRC condemned Israel in more than 70 of its resolutions, that is about 50% of all resolutions since 2006 and the UNHRC only permanent agenda item reads: “Item 7. Human rights abuses by Israel.”
- 4.
The UN experts include: Ms. E. Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Mr. Michal Balcerzak, Chairperson of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent; Mr. Jose Francisco Cali Tzai, Acting Chairperson of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; Mr. Felipe González Morales, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Mr. Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues; Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz, Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Ms. Alda Facio, Chairperson of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice; Ms. Urmila Bhoola, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences; Ms. Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights expert: Ms. Margarette May Macaulay, Rapporteur on the rights of Afro-descendants and against racial discrimination.
- 5.
- 6.
For discussion of NHRI characteristics see: Ozdowski, S. (2003).
- 7.
See also: Ozdowski, S (2009).
- 8.
- 9.
The first ICHRE was convened in 2010 in Sydney and since then the Conference has been held in: Durban, South Africa; Cracow, Poland; Taipei, Taiwan; Washington DC, USA; Middleburg, the Netherlands; Santiago, Chile; and Montreal, Canada; Sydney, Australia and Kathmandu (planned), Nepal. For more see the 9th ICHRE website: http://ichre2018.com.au; see also: www.westernsydney.edu.au/equity_diversity/equity_and_diversity/conferences
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Ozdowski, S. (2020). Human Rights as an Instrument of Social Cohesion in South Asia. In: Zajda, J. (eds) Human Rights Education Globally. Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research, vol 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1913-9_9
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