In today’s world of devastation, largely due to armed conflicts and humanitarian tragedies, as well as to the phenomenon of terrorism – which has plagued societies from the East to the West – the role of states in fulfilling their obligations towards respecting, protecting and ensuring the realization of human rights figures prominently. As far as terrorist acts are concerned, there is no consensus on their possible inclusion in the very concept of “crimes against humanity”, although some authors express their agreement of its inclusion. In view of the non-existence of a Convention on Crimes against Humanity, such international crimes – which have jus cogens status – create obligations for States, such as the obligation to investigate, punish and extradite. In this context, the Responsibility to Protect (or R2P) is also highlighted, as the state has the prime responsibility to protect the populations from crimes against humanity.
ON HUMAN RIGHTS – PARTICULARLY CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
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Holder of a Law Degree from the Law Faculty of the University of Lisbon (Portugal), currently collaborating as research assistant to Professor Patrícia Galvão Teles (member of the International Law Commission). Her research areas focus on International Law, International Law of the Sea and International Human Rights Law.
Resumo
No Mundo actual de devastação, em grande parte devido a conflitos armados e tragédias humanitárias, assim como ao fenómeno do terrorismo – que tem assolado as Sociedades do Oriente ao Ocidente – ganha relevo o papel dos Estados na concretização das obrigações que assumem em relação ao respeito, protecção e realização dos direitos humanos. Quanto aos actos terroristas, não há consenso sobre a sua possível inclusão no próprio conceito «crimes contra a Humanidade», apesar de alguns Autores manifestarem a sua concordância. Perante (ainda) a inexistência de uma Convenção sobre Crimes contra a Humanidade, tais crimes internacionais – merecedores do estatuto jus cogens -, criam obrigações em relação aos Estados, como seja a obrigação de investigação, punição e extradição. Releva ainda, neste contexto, a Responsabilidade de proteger (ou R2P) na medida em que o Estado tem a responsabilidade primária de proteger as populações dos crimes contra a Humanidade.
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Como citar este artigo
Martins, Daniela (2018). “On human rights – particularly crimes against Humanity”. JANUS.NET e-journal of International Relations, Vol. 9, Nº. 1, May-October 2018. Consulted [online] on the date of last consultation, DOI: https://doi.org/10.26619/1647-7251.9.1.5
Article received on 30 June, 2017 and accepted for publication on 31 January, 2018
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