Journal of Human Rights and Social Work最新文献

The concept of Islamophobia and the persecution of the Rohingya minority—these two phenomena are highly significant in the world context. These factors have affected systematic violence and statelessness for many years by the Myanmar Buddhist majority and the Myanmar government itself. The Rohingya community has a significant connection with several factors, including political, economic, national, and religious relations. This paper is dependent on a qualitative research methodology using secondary data was used. Myanmar is a non-secular, Buddhist-dominated country where the Buddhist majority holds a perception of Islam to justify their violence towards this community and to ensure Buddhist domination. This paper will shed some light on the argument, and discusses the extent to which Islamophobia is significant behind violations of human rights in the Rohingya community.

The study examines the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees in accessing social safety nets at Tongogara Refugee Camp (TRC). A qualitative literature review complemented by six key-informant interviews generated data for the article. The study used a social development approach to understand and analyse the existing opportunities and challenges for asylum seekers and refugees at Tongogara Refugee Camp. Research findings suggest that there are a number of social safety nets for refugees and asylum seekers at Tongogara Refugee Camp. Some of them include school fee waivers, free medical care, cash transfers, rotational schemes and financial remittances among others. However, several challenges affect the provision of the social safety nets among asylum seekers and refugees. Some of them include the welfare approach to social protection programs, lack of access to banking facilities, lack of weaning approaches from the social assistance programs, and inadequate funding to cater for all refugee needs. The study concludes that the social safety nets for refugees and asylum seekers at Tongogara Refugee Camp are not of a developmental nature. The duty bearers should embrace the social development approach in the provision of social safety nets for refugees and asylum seekers at TRC.

The human right to health in Bangladesh has recently encountered unprecedented challenges owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines four of such challenges related to the right to health such as (1) adoption of preventive measures, (2) access to health care, (3) healthcare workers’ safety, and (4) health-related rights amidst social distancing. It argues that Bangladesh has largely failed to combat these challenges for several reasons including the lackluster social work practices, which violated the right to health to its citizens secured under the international and national human rights obligations of Bangladesh. The article also reflects on how the negation of healthcare as a human right could have profound implications for social work practices during a health emergency. Starting with a focus on the transformation of the right to health from international to national level and the obligation of Bangladesh towards it, this paper explores these challenges through a viewpoint methodology. It concludes with some recommendations to overcome these challenges, which can be helpful to secure the human right to health in Bangladesh should a parallel situation emerge in the future.

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have the same legal and socio-economic rights as other normal human beings, as guaranteed in the Constitution of every single country. This paper attempts to answer the empirical questions and provide an overview of granting disability concessions in several selected ASEAN countries. In addition, this paper examines the fundamental impediments that make concessions challenging to deliver. This paper was prepared using simplified Prisma methods using selected literature and legal material. Information regarding concessions for PWD in selected ASEAN countries was obtained from articles, working papers, regulations, and data available on the portals of each country. The data obtained is then processed deductively to answer the issue raised. The paper’s results revealed that the fundamental barriers to disability concession are so intricate that four significant reasons and solutions need to be offered so that PWDs can enjoy the concession to stand straight and survive like normal human beings.

In Malawi, sexual abuse disproportionately affects girls and young women, emphasizing the need for effective interventions to safeguard their well-being. The Spotlight Initiative, a significant effort to combat violence against women and girls, has been implemented in Malawi, addressing various forms of gender-based violence, including sexual abuse. One funded project, Girls Action to End Violence against Women and Girls (GATEVAWG), aims to empower girls through mentorship in combating gender-based violence. This study assesses the effectiveness of initiatives and support mechanisms for sexual abuse victims in Malawi’s Dowa District. The population size includes data from at least 10 victims or project beneficiaries, 5 community authorities (traditional authorities), and at least 5 organization representatives leading the Spotlight Initiative project. Findings reveal the pervasive nature of sexual abuse in the study area, where men exploit vulnerable women and girls. While community authorities play a crucial role in intervention and support, neglecting some cases leads to adverse consequences for victims and their families. Support provided includes health care, psychosocial, emotional, and social assistance, facilitating recovery and societal reintegration. The study highlights the positive impact of the Spotlight Initiative, empowering girls with knowledge of their rights and sexual reproductive health. However, challenges persist, necessitating continuous efforts to combat harmful social and gender norms. Recommendations include encouraging girls to report abuse, raising awareness among families and community leaders, and strengthening follow-up mechanisms for addressed cases. The study also recommends future investigations into how survivors, supported by community-based initiatives, experience long-term physical, psychological, and emotional well-being.

In recent decades, the Government of Liberia (GOL) and international partners have prioritized combatting child sexual abuse, including illicit and harmful early sexual practices involving girls and adult men. Previous studies indicate high rape rates among Liberian female populations, yet more research on specific forms of abuse is needed to better understand the magnitude of the problem. Applying Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework, this paper presents the results of a 2018 mixed-methods study of 719 Liberian young women (ages 18–35) and 493 of their parents, from urban/rural districts in Montserrado. The purpose is to contribute a large-scale representative study establishing the rate of female statutory rape and key correlates. The survey captures data measuring early sexual activity (ESA), education, socio-economic status, demographics, and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KABs) associated with cultural ethnic customs, rural/urban settings, and gender rights. The statistical analysis indicates that 35.1% (95% CI 30.1–37.1) of Liberian women report experiencing ESA that qualifies as statutory rape under Liberian law. Age, ethnicity, location, SES, education, and most individual KABs are not correlated with lower rates (p < 0.05). The following are associated (unadjusted odds ratio [OR]): advanced education (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.26–5.50); saying no to sex (0.57, 0.36–0.89); equitable work opportunities (2.15, 1.28–3.62); living with a man as a minor (0.47, 0.31–0.74); and early pregnancy (0.45, 0.32–0.65). Additionally, 39.7% (95% CI 31.2–44.1) of male assailants hold school-based occupations. As the ecology of girls is increasingly shifting in low-income nations, it is crucial to better understand the face of abuse to protect children’s welfare.

Abstract

The criminal justice system seeks to balance the search for the truth with procedural fairness. Because of this, the law imposes a legal burden on the state to protect public security and suspected individuals’ rights. Among individual rights that need protection is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Presumption of innocence is a basic right in the Ethiopian constitution and subsidiary laws in Ethiopia which requires the public prosecutor to prove each element constituting the crime beyond reasonable doubt. However, this right is facing violation in the Ethiopian criminal justice system. Thus, this article examines challenges to the presumption of innocence rights in Ethiopia’s criminal justice system. Doctrinal research method is used in the investigation process. The study found various subsidiary substantive and procedural laws, and practices violate the presumption of innocence rights. Among others, several criminal law clauses do not require the public prosecutor to provide proof but instead take certain elements of particular crimes as proven, the Criminal Justice Administration Policy presumption to transfer the burden of proof in certain major crimes to the defendant, and anti-corruption and the vagrancy control proclamation permits prolonged remand time which compromise and deprive the suspected right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. These laws shall be revised in a manner that protects the presumption of innocence rights.