Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Bochum, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 298-311) and register.

'International humanitarian law' (IHL) has long differentiated between international and non-international armed conflicts, regulating the latter, at least at the level of treaty law, far less than the former. One of the starkest examples of this is in the case of administrative detention on security grounds or 'internment'. Thus, IHL applicable in international armed conflicts establishes a seemingly robust regime regarding internment. As such, it specifies the limited grounds on which an individual may be interned, the procedural safeguards that must be provided to internees, and the point at which the internee must be released. In the conventional IHL provisions applicable in non-international armed conflicts, on the other hand, no equivalent rules are made explicit. In addition, the application in such situations of international human rights law (IHRL), which also contains procedural rules applicable to detention, is considered by many to be very controversial. This has led to considerable confusion over the current state of the law governing detention in non-international armed conflict, and it is here that some of the most controversial practices and intractable debates within IHL of the last decade have developed. The present thesis seeks to clarify the law here and does so through a comprehensive examination of both IHL and IHRL. It begins with a discussion of the general context in which the thesis falls, i.e. the distinction between international and non-international armed conflicts. This is considered from an historical perspective, considering the basis for the distinction as well as its appropriateness in contemporary international law. Having considered this general question, the thesis then moves on to an examination of the current lex lata with regard to internment in non-international armed conflicts, with a comprehensive examination of both IHL and IHRL. Regarding IHL, it is shown that, whilst there remains a dearth of conventional and customary rules here, one can discern a general prohibition of internment that is not necessary as a result of the conflict. The application of the IHRL rules on detention in non-international conflicts and their interaction with relevant rules of IHL are then explored, with substantial reference to the practice of both states and human rights treaty bodies. It is shown that, absent derogation, human rights treaty rules continue fully to regulate detentions by states in relation to non-international armed conflicts, alongside the minimal rules of IHL. However, it is also demonstrated that the current law remains inadequate in this area. First, there is significant disagreement between the human rights treaty bodies on the extent to which derogation from these rules is permitted. Second, persons detained in non-international conflicts by non-state armed groups or by states with no human rights treaty obligations are protected by the far more basic customary rules in this area. The thesis, therefore, concludes with a set of concrete proposals for developing the law here, in a manner that builds upon and clarifies the current obligations of all states and non-state armed groups.

Tens of thousands of contractors work for private military and security companies (PMSCs) in armed conflicts around the world, often hired by states to fulfil functions that were once the exclusive domain of the armed forces. In this context, PMSCs have performed a wide range of activities including offensive combat, prisoner interrogation, military advice and training, armed security, intelligence and logistics. The proliferation of PMSCs during the past two decades has challenged conventional conceptions of the state as the primary holder of coercive power in the international arena. Nonetheless, this Thesis argues that the traditional state-centred frameworks of international law remain vitally relevant to the regulation of private security activity in contemporary armed conflict. Three states are in a strong position to influence PMSCs in this context—the state that hires the PMSC, the state in which the company is based or incorporated, and the state in which the company operates—and this capacity for influence enables international law to regulate PMSC activities indirectly using these states as an intermediary. This Thesis critically analyses the pertinent international obligations on these three categories of states and identifies the circumstances in which PMSC misconduct may give rise to state responsibility in each case. It also examines the recent practice of certain key states in order to evaluate their compliance with these obligations. By providing a clear and in-depth analysis of states' international obligations to control PMSCs in armed conflict, this Thesis may not only facilitate the assessment of state responsibility in cases of PMSC misconduct; it may also play an important prospective role in setting standards of conduct for states in relation to the private security industry. This in turn may encourage and assist states to develop their domestic laws and policies in order to improve overall PMSC compliance with international law.

Univ., Diss.--Fribourg, 2005. / Literaturverz. S. XVII - LXXXVIII.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Frankfurt, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references and register.

[pt] O presente trabalho realizou análise acerca do conceito de Grave e Genera-lizada Violação de Direitos Humanos (GGVDH), a fim de investigar quais são as fundações da definição ampliada de refugiado e como se deu a sua construção no Brasil. Através de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, os dados usados nesta Dissertação de Mestrado foram coletados das seguintes fontes: teses, dissertações, livros e artigos; relatórios do governo, de organizações internacionais e não go-vernamentais; tratados, declarações e legislações. Esta dissertação buscou apre-sentar a arquitetura protetiva internacional da pessoa humana, investigando as conexões com os diversos mecanismos do Direito Internacional dos Direitos Hu-manos, suas complementaridades, seus regimes e aplicações regionais e nacionais para, então, explorar a trajetória do refúgio no Brasil não somente até a construção do conceito de GGVDH pelo governo, mas também no seu reconhecimento. Em um primeiro momento, deu-se a apresentação do arcabouço jurídico internacional, sua interdependência e relevância para a proteção humana, culminando na Decla-ração de Cartagena (1984) e seus processos revisionais. Posteriormente, desen-volveu-se o histórico brasileiro em matéria de refúgio, chegando ao período de redemocratização e incorporação do conceito de GGVDH pela Lei n° 9.474/1997. Por fim, passou-se à breve análise do reconhecimento de refúgio no Brasil por GGVDH, no intento de mapear o posicionamento do governo frente a essa defini-ção, sua aplicação e limitações, apontando algumas nuances e conclusões. / [en] The present study undertook an analysis about the concept of Gross and Generalized Violation of Human Rights (GGVDH), in an attempt to understand what the foundations of the extended definition of refugee are and how it has been constructed in Brazil. Through a bibliographic and documental research, the data used in this Master s Thesis was collected from the following sources: theses, dissertations, books and articles; reports from government, international and non-governmental organizations; treaties, declarations and legislation. This thesis sought to present the international protective architecture of the human person, investigating its connections with the various mechanisms of International Human Rights Law, their complementariness, regimes, regional and national applications to then, explore the refuge trajectory in Brazil, not only until the construction of the GGVDH concept by the government, but also its recognition. Initially, the international legal framework was presented, their interdependence and relevance to the human protection, culminating in the Cartagena Declaration (1984) and its revision processes. Subsequently, it demonstrated the Brazilian history in terms of refuge, up until the period of re-democratization and incorporation of the GGVDH concept by the Law n 9.474/1997. Finally, it presented a brief analysis of the refugee status recognition under GGVDH in Brazil, in an attempt to map the gov-ernment’s position in relation to this definition, its application and limitations, pointing out some nuances and conclusions.

Although both Canada and the United Kingdom had experienced terrorism prior to the attacks that occurred in the United States on September 11, 2001, Roach has argued that the events of that day ‘produced a horrible natural experiment that allows us to compare how international institutions and different countries responded’. Arguably, the most significant international response post-9/11 was the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373, which set a 90-day deadline for states to implement measures in accordance with the Resolution. Despite the fact that both Canada and the United Kingdom already had in place extensive provisions to deal with terrorism, both countries responded swiftly and their legislative responses reflect the histories and legal, political and social cultures of each country. This thesis tests the hypothesis that national security remains a bastion of national sovereignty, despite the force of international legal instruments like UN Security Council Resolution 1373 and, as such, the evolution of counter-terrorism policies in different jurisdictions is best analyzed and understood as a product of local institutional structures and cultures. To test this hypothesis, this thesis engages in comparative analyses of legal and political structures and cultures within Canada and the United Kingdom. It analyses variations in the evolution of counter-terrorism policies in the two jurisdictions and explores the domestic reasons for them. In its analysis of security certificates and bail with recognizance/investigative hearings in Canada, and detention without trial, control orders and TPIMs in the UK, this thesis reveals how domestic structures and cultures, including the legal system, the relative stability of government, local human rights culture, and geopolitical relationships all influence how counter-terrorism measures evolve.

[pt] O presente trabalho se concentra no paradoxo da fundamentação do Estado Mínimo contemporâneo a partir da função punitiva, como forma de preservação de direitos humanos, mesmo ciente de que as ferramentas punitivas disponíveis são constantes fontes de violação de direitos humanos. Em um primeiro momento, descreve uma crise de identidade que vem do nascimento mesmo do Direito Penal como iniciativa de contenção do poder punitivo aos limites da garantias fundamentais dos indivíduos. Na sequência, aponta o desenvolvimento de uma lógica punitiva que passa de uma necessidade de disciplinamento da mão de obra fabril na revolução industrial à gestão de excedentes humanos sem qualquer finalidade, como se tornaram as prisões de hoje. Para pontar a ciência desta estrutura, a análise de casos específicos da jurisprudência da Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos aparece como base empírica para verificação de que mesmo o Direito Internacional dos Direitos Humanos estando ciente de que o sistemas punitivos são fontes constantes de violações a Direitos Humanos, continuam a demandar a utilização de instrumentos punitivos e repressivos para a proteção dos Direitos Humanos. Ao concluir aponta a necessidade da superação de qualquer lógica punitivas na preservação dos Direitos Humanos. / [en] This paper focuses on the paradox of the grounds of the State Minimum contemporary from the punitive function, in order to protect human rights even aware that the available punitive tools are constant sources of human rights violations. At first, it describes an identity crisis that comes from the same birth of the Criminal Law as containment initiative of the punitive power of the limits of the fundamental guarantees of individuals. Further, says the development of a punitive logic that is only a need for disciplining hand labor factory in the industrial development to the management of human surpluses without any purpose, as became today s prisons. To pontar science of this structure, the analysis of specific cases of the jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights appears as empirical basis for finding that even the International Law of Human Rights being aware that the punitive systems are constant sources of violations of Human Rights continue to require the use of punitive and repressive instruments for the protection of Human rights. At the conclusion points to the need of overcoming any punitive logic in the preservation of human rights.

[pt] A presente dissertação tem como objeto inicial refletir sobre a Comissão Nacional da Verdade (CNV) à luz da normativa e da experiência internacional, analisando o contexto de sua instituição, a elaboração de seu marco legal, suas interações com atores estatais e não estatais, e os principais avanços e desafios enfrentados durante seu funcionamento. Com base no relatório final da CNV, serão identificados os pontos centrais desenvolvidos pela Comissão em termos de justiça e verdade, evidenciando como suas conclusões e recomendações afastam-se do discurso oficial do Estado brasileiro. Finalmente, será verificado em que medida o relatório final da CNV poderá oferecer aportes para o caso Vladimir Herzog, a ser julgado pela Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos / [en] The initial purpose of this dissertation is to reflect on the National Truth Commission (CNV) in the light of international normative and experience, analyzing the context of its institution, its legal framework, its interactions with state and non-state actors, and the main advances and challenges faced during its operation. Based on the CNV s final report, will be identified the central points developed by the Commission in terms of justice and truth, highlighting how its conclusions and recommendations deviate from the official discourse of the Brazilian State. Finally, it will be verified to what extent the CNV final report may offer contributions to the Vladimir Herzog case, to be judged by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. / [fr] L objectif initial de cette thèse est de réfléchir sur la Commission Nationale de la Vérité (CNV), à la lumière du droit et de l expérience internationale, en analysant le contexte de l institution, le cadre juridique, les interactions avec les acteurs étatiques et non étatiques, ainsi que les progrès et défis principaux, auxquels elle est confrontée au cours de son fonctionnement. Sur la base du rapport final de la CNV seront identifiés les points centraux développés par la Commission en termes de justice et de vérité, soulignant comment ses conclusions et recommandations s écartent du discours officiel de l Etat brésilien. Enfin, il sera vérifié dans quelle mesure le rapport final de la CNV peut offrir des contributions à l affaire Vladimir Herzog, qui doit être jugé par la Cour Interaméricaine des Droits de L homme.