Socio-Economic and Cultural Rights and Wrongs after Conflicts: Using the State Reporting Procedure Before the UN CESCR More Effectively

Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights, September 2013

30 Pages Posted: 4 Sep 2013 Last revised: 17 Mar 2014

See all articles by Evelyne Schmid

Evelyne Schmid

University of Lausanne, Centre of Comparative, European and International Law

Date Written: September 3, 2013

Abstract

Commentators and practitioners increasingly emphasise that redressing violations of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) and improving the living conditions of individuals and communities is key in countries emerging from armed conflicts and widespread human rights abuses. Yet, it remains difficult to achieve this objective in practice and it is not obvious how international law can contribute to the enhancement of ESCR in the aftermath of pervasive abuses. This article addresses some of the subject’s conceptual and practical complexities: Based on an analysis of all relevant concluding observations, the article traces the evolution of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’ jurisprudence on armed conflict. It then uses this analysis to highlight specific ways in which the reporting procedure before this supervisory body could be used more effectively to address ESCR problems related to armed conflicts, including by forging synergies with transitional justice mechanisms and broader postconflict recovery policies.

Keywords: armed conflict, education, health, impunity, internal displacement, transitional justice, United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, post-conflict justice

Suggested Citation

Schmid, Evelyne, Socio-Economic and Cultural Rights and Wrongs after Conflicts: Using the State Reporting Procedure Before the UN CESCR More Effectively (September 3, 2013). Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights, September 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2319884

Evelyne Schmid (Contact Author)

University of Lausanne, Centre of Comparative, European and International Law ( email )

Quartier Chambronne
Lausanne, Vaud CH-1015
Switzerland

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