Learning Objectives
Human Rights Legislation

After studying this unit, you should be able to:

• Understand how international human rights standards can be imbibed into domestic law;
  
  
• Focus budgets to key human rights concerns;
  
  
• Identify ways to support the judiciary in protecting human rights.

 

Introduction and Overview

As the law-makers of a country, it is parliaments that ensure international human rights standards are met through domestic legislation. Bringing domestic laws in line with the standards required by treaty commitments usually requires parliament to pass legislation that specifically incorporates treaty provisions into domestic law. This Unit also discusses a constitutional Bill of Rights with key human rights protections, and explains that all laws should accord with international law. The importance of prioritising key human rights issues such as poverty alleviation and justice sector reform, in budget allocations by providing substantial funds to support the work of national human rights institutions, and guaranteeing a transparent, participatory budget process is also discussed. It concludes by highlighting ways the legislature can support the judiciary to protect human rights, as well as the responsibility of the judiciary to consistently maintain a human rights approach in its decision-making process. 

 

 

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