Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / Die eiendomsklousule soos vervat in Artikel 28(1) van die Grondwet waarborg regte in eiendom. Daar word na die tradisionele eiendomsparadigma verwys, asook die leemtes in die konsep. Die "new property"-konsep word vervolgens in oenskou geneem. Sowel die gemenereg as die inheemse reg word, met verwysing na die begrippe "regte" en "eiendom", behandel. Daarna volg 'n bespreking van die konsep "regte in eiendom", wat die inhoud en omvang van die konsep aandui. In 'n afsonderlike hoofstuk word regte in grand bespreek. Die vraag of 'n konstitusionele reg ten aansien van huisvesting bestaan, geniet oak aandag. Ten slotte word regsvergelykend te werk gegaan en na buitelandse regsbronne verwys wat moontlik in die toekoms 'n rol by die uitleg van die Grondwet kan speel. Daar word gepoog om aan te dui dat die Grondwet as geheel ge"interpreteer en toegepas behoort te word. Die korrekte interpretasie en toepassing van die Grondwet word van uiterste belang beskou ten einde aan die doel van die Grondwet te voldoen. / The property clause is contained in Section 28(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees rights in property. The tradisional property paradigm is referred to, as well as its deficiencies. Thereupon the "new property" concept is taken account of. The common law and the customary law are dealt with, with reference to the concepts "rights" and "property". Subsequently a discussion of the concept "rights in property" follows, denoting this concept's contents and extent. Thereupon rights in land is dealt with. A constitutional right to housing is also attended to. Finally a comparative overview is given with reference to foreign case law, which may in future play a role in the interpretation of the Constitution. Attempts are made to indicate that the Constitution should be interpreted and enforced as a whole. In its correct interpretation and enforcement it is of utmost importance to have due regard to the objects of the Constitution. / Constitutional, International & Indigenous Law / LL.M.

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Die regsposisie van die deelgenote tot 'n de facto huwelik word krities ondersoek met inagneming van die huidige Suid-Afrikaanse regsposisie, oorsigtelike regsvergelyking, die morele argument, en die invloed van die Grondwet van Suid-Afrika. Die verskillende vorme van de facto huwelike in sy bree interpretasie word in oenskou geneem en die volgende verbindings word bespreek: saamwoonverhoudings; inheemsregtelike huwelike; huwelike voortspruitend uit godsdienstige tradisies; en homoseksuele huwelike. Dit word gevind dat die Suid-Afrikaanse regsposisie tans baie onbevredigend is. Sekere voorstelle vir wysigings word aan die hand gedoen, en daar word gewys op die unieke kenmerke van die Suid-Afrikaanse situasie wat in ag geneem moet word in die vorming van 'n nuwe benadering. Dit word bepleit dat die regslui die uitdaging moet aangryp en met innoverende denke 'n nuwe bestel vir die Suid-Afrikaanse reg moet skep wat buigbaar en soepel is, maar terselfdertyd regsekerheid bevorder. / The legal status of the parties to a de facto marriage is investigated, taking into consideration the present South African position, legal comparison, the moral argument, and the influence of the Constitution of South Africa. The different forms of the de facto marriage in its wide interpretation are reviewed and the following relationships are discussed: cohabitation relationships; customary marriages; marriages resulting from religious traditions; and homosexual relationships. It is found that the present South African legal position is very unsatisfactory. Several suggestions for amendments are made, and the unique characteristics of the South African situation to be taken into consideration in forming a new approach, are highlighted. It is pleaded that the legal profession accept the challenge to create, with innovation, a new system for South African law which will be flexible, but, will at the same time ensure certainty in law. / Private Law / LL. M.

My thesis explores the roles in Albanian nation-building of the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjin, an early-twentieth century codification of northern-Albanian customary practices, and the Pajtimi i Gjaqeve, a late-twentieth century movement to conciliate blood feuds in Kosovo. To understand them, we need to know: what both were, in their own terms; their significance; and how they relate to other aspects of nation-building, and comparative examples. I draw on participant-observation fieldwork, archive work and extensive interviews. Nation-building is necessarily complicated and the Albanian case particularly so. The existence of an Albanian nation was contested by neighbouring peoples, and its characteristics, by Albanians themselves. In this complex context, the text of the Kanun, and the Pajtimi i Gjaqeve, give us good insights into Albanian understandings of the nation, and associated nation-building activities, at pivotal points in national history. While the nation-building projects of the region had many elements in common, prominent ideas of a ‘national’ legal tradition are a distinctive aspect of the Albanian case. Both the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjin and the Pajtimi i Gjaqeve need to be understood as aspects of nation-building. In the context of a crumbling Ottoman Empire, by presenting Albanian customary practices in the form of a legal code, the Albanian codifier made claims about the contents and the people from whom they came. The Kanun demonstrated the existence of a distinct people with a tradition of self-governance and mediation; and made significant contributions to the crucial process of language standardisation. In the context of the 1990s break-up of Yugoslavia, ideas of an Albanian legal tradition re-emerged in Kosovo, in the Pajtimi i Gjaqeve which presented intra-Albanian disputes as national concerns, and drew on traditional values and customary practices to effect conciliations. Subsequently, the Movement itself has become a national resource, through reference to which important ideas about the nation are expressed.

Cette thèse propose une réflexion sur le rapport ville/processus d'urbanisme dans la période post-soviétique. Elle se focalise sur l'évolution des formes urbaines et urbanistiques à partir de l'articulation ville/pratiques juridiques/pratiques sociales. Erevan – capitale de l'Arménie est notre terrain d'investigations. Les analyses sont d'abord centrées sur l'état actuel des interfaces ville/politiques/pratiques urbaines : la situation socio-économique, les caractères spatiaux et les différentes logiques d'organisation de l'espace urbain. Les analyses portent ensuite sur l'évolution historique de ces mêmes interfaces ; sont examinés les projets et les modèles spatiaux appliqués, ou encore les Nouveaux Plans de la ville. La thèse se propose ainsi de comprendre le dialogue entre la ville, ses habitants et son héritage, en démontrant que ces derniers peuvent être un élément stimulant le développement urbain à toutes les échelles, un développement urbain identitaire et durable / This thesis proposes a reflection on the relationship between the city and urban planning processes in the post-Soviet period. It focuses on the evolution of urban forms and urban planning by considering the articulation of the city, legal rules and social practices. Yerevan, Armenia's capital, is our field of investigation. Our studies first focus on the current situation of interfaces between the city, policies and urban practices taking into account socioeconomic situations, spatial characteristics and logics of the organization of urban space. Then, the analyses deal with the historical evolution of these interfaces : projects, spatial models or new town planning schemes are examined. Thus, this thesis aims to understand the links between city, its inhabitants and its heritage, demonstrating that these last can be stimulating elements at all scales for attaining a sustainable and identitary urban development

Cette recherche explore le champ juridique de la condition des indigènes du Guatemala suite à l'arrivée des Espagnols dans le Nouveau Monde et à leur isolement dans des catégories juridiques spécialement créées pour eux par le droit indiano. Nous avons en particulier observé le passage de la catégorie d'esclave à celle de vassal libre de la Couronne à partir de la promulgation des Nouvelles Lois des Indes en 1542. Après la Guerre d'indépendance latino-américaine, les législations des nouveaux Etats-nations s'ajustent aux besoins des propriétaires agricoles qui, de la même façon que lors de la période coloniale, nécessitent de la main-d'oeuvre indigène. Cette thèse défend donc l'idée que, dans un contexte politique difficile, les indigènes du Guatemala, et en particulier les Mayas, ont su s'approprier le droit interne et le droit international pour défendre leurs intérêts. Ceci a été possible car, malgré des politiques esclavagistes et assimilationnistes violentes, ils ont conservé la réglementation juridique consuétudinaire. Nous entendons démontrer que c'est la conservation de leur droit qui leur a permis de s'organiser en tant que peuple sujet de droit qui a des droits et des devoirs. Ainsi, notre étude prouve que quand des opportunités politiques se sont présentées, les indigènes étaient déjà organisés et prêts à les utiliser comme socles sur lesquels ils s'appuient pour revendiquer leurs droits en tant que peuple indigène selon le droit international. / This study explores the legal context concerning the situation of the indigenous peoples of Guatemala since the arrival of the Spanish in the New World and the segregation of these peoples into separate legal categories created for them by indiano law. In particular, we have paid close attention to the movement from the status of slave to that of free vassal of the Spanish crown beginning with the promulgation of the New Laws of the Indies in 1542. After the Latin-American War of Independence, the legislation of the new Nation-States starts to become adjusted to the needs of farm owners who, just as during the colonial period, require indigenous labourers. Our study argues that in a difficult political context, the indigenous peoples of Guatemala, and especially the Mayas, managed to re-appropriate internal law and international law in defence of their interests. This was made possible by the fact that, despite violent assimilation and slavery policies, they were able to preserve the use of customary law. We wish to show that it was by preserving this law that they were able to organise themselves as a legal people subject to rights and obligations. Thus, our study proves that when the political opportunities were presented, the indigenous peoples were already organised and ready to exploit these opportunities as a basis upon which they were able to demand their rights as indigenous peoples in accordance with international law.

L’Union européenne s’est activement engagée depuis le début des années 1990 dans une démarche promotrice des droits de l’homme sur la scène internationale. Cela lui permet aujourd’hui de prétendre contribuer au développement ainsi qu’à la mise en œuvre effective du droit international des droits de l’homme. Le droit de l’Union européenne, et plus précisément le droit de l’action extérieure, détermine sa capacité à s’affirmer comme un acteur autonome, agissant de façon cohérente sur la scène internationale. La cohérence de l’action extérieure conditionne ainsi l’aptitude de l’Union à influer efficacement sur le contenu et l’application des règles de droit international. L’Union ne peut par ailleurs contribuer au droit international que si elle accepte de s’y soumettre. Elle ne peut en effet réclamer le respect du droit international par les États tiers et dans le même temps se dispenser d’en respecter les règles. Il en va de sa légitimité. La contribution de l’Union s’exerce tant sur le contenu matériel des normes que sur leur effectivité. Elle est ainsi en mesure de d’exporter ses propres normes dans l’ordre juridique international, par le truchement de règles conventionnelles ou coutumières, et de participer à l’universalisation des règles existantes. Elle joue en outre un rôle décisif du point de vue de l’effectivité des règles de droit international protectrices des droits de l’homme, soit en sanctionnant directement leur violation, soit en favorisant leur juridictionnalisation. / Since the early 1990s, the European Union has been actively promoting human rights on the global scene. Today, the EU legitimately contributes to the development and implementation of international human rights law. EU law, and more specifically its rules regarding its external relations, determines its capacity to establish itself as an important and autonomous player, acting as one on the international scene. The coherence of the EU’s external action is crucial to its ability to efficiently influence the contents and the implementation of international law. The European Union can only contribute to international law to the extent of its own submission to these standards. It cannot ask other States to respect international law while disrespecting its rules at the same time. It is a matter of legitimacy. The EU’s contribution concerns the substantive content of the rules as well as their effectiveness. It is therefore capable of exporting its own standards in the international legal order, through conventional or customary rules, and therefore pushes for the universalization of existing rules. The European Union also plays a decisive role regarding the effectiveness of international rules protecting human rights, either by sanctioning directly their violation, or by favouring their jurisdictionalization.

In isiZulu and English abstract / Lolu cwaningo lucubungula amagalelo kaLawrence Molefe ekubhaIweni kwemidlalo yakhe emibili ethi Bengithi Lizokuna kanye nethi Bahlukumezekile Behlakaniphelana Nje. Inhloso yocwaningo kule midlalo ukubheka ukuthi abalingiswa bayo bethiwe kanjani na? Lolu cwaningo luhamba luthinte izinsiza kuhlaziya esingathi amathiyori (theories) nendlela aytha abalingiswa bakhe ngayo kanye nesitayela esisetshenziswe umbhali kule midlalo yakhe emibili. Kukhethwe le mibhalo kaLawrence Molefe ukuze sibone ukuthi ingabe kukhona okusha esingakufunda kuye uma sibheka indlela aytha ngayo abalingiswa bakhe nokuthi uhambisana kanjani kuyiphiramidi kaFreytagi (1863). Lo msebenzi wehlukaniswe waba yizahluko eziyisithupha . Lolu cwaningo lubhekelele indlela elandelwayo uma kwethiwa amagama ukuthi ingabe indlela efanele nokuthi okuphi okumelwe kulandelwe uma kwethiwa amagama. Kubhekwa ukuthi ikuphi lokhu kubaluleka okuqukethwe ukuba khona kwegama emuntwini. Kuyazeka nokho ukuthi lolu hlobo locwaningo lunalo izingqinamba okuhlangatshezwana nazo okungaba ukungatholi izinsiza ezifanele ezizoba nolwazi olwanele mayelana nokwethiwa kwamagama ikakhulukazi asuke ebhalwe ngesiZulu. Kuyatholakala ukuthi kwezinye izilimi akuyona inkinga kangakho ukuthola ulwazi olusuke luxhumene nalo mkhakha. Miningi imiqulu ekhiqiziwe ewusizo ngezilimi zesiNgisi ikakhulukazi. Lokhu kusho ukuthi kumele umcwaningi embule ambulule azame ukuthi abe nezindlela eziphusile azokwazi ukuzisebenzisa ukuqhuba ucwaningo lwakhe. Kubuye kubeke umcwaningi ethubeni lokuthi abheke phela ukuthi izinhloso zocwaningo lwakhe ziwela emkhakheni wesikhashana esifushane noma wesikhathi eside. Kodwa lokhu kuchaza ukuthi azibhekelele lezo zinhloso uma eqhuba ucwaningo lwakhe. Kubalulekile ukuthi umcwaningi abheke ukuthi iyiphi ithiyori yokwethiwa kwamagama angase ayilandele nokuthi athini manye mathiyori na. Lokhu kubuye kweyame esifundweni esitholakala ekwethiweni kwamagama. Kuhle futhi ukuthi sethulelwe ukubaluleka kocwaningo lapho kubhekwe ukuthi yini ezocwaningwa emagameni abalingiswa nokuthi yini edala ugqozi olungaka noma intshisekelo yokwazi kabanzi ngokwethiwa kwamagama ikakhulukazi esiZulu. Kubalulekile futhi ukuthi kubhekwe noma kwethulwe izinsizakuhlaziya ucwaningo oluzohamba phezu kwazo ekwethiweni kwamagama. Nakuba inhloso isekutheni kubhekelelwe lawo esiZulu, kodwa kuhle kuphinde kubhekwe nakwezinye izilimi ukuthi ingabe eyabo indlela ihluke kanjani kweyesiZulu na?Ucwaningo lubuye lulandelele imvelaphi yombhali wezincwadi ezisuke zizocwaningwa ukuze kutholakale kabanzi ngobungaye nezinhloso zakhe ekubhaleni nokuthi uma kubhekwa umlando wakhe yini emenza ahluke kwabanye ababhali. Uma kuqhutshwa ucwaningo kuhle ukugxila ezindleleni ezizosetshenziswa ekuqoqeni ulwazi nezizolandelwa. Akupheleli lapho, kuhle ukuthola ukuthi abanye ongoti noma osolwazi bathini ngokucwaningwa kokwethiwa kwamagama. Kubuye kubhekwe ukuthi ucwaningo luzobhekiswa emibhalweni eyimidlalo lapho kubhekwa ukuthi abalingiswa bawuqhubekisa kanjani umdlalo ngendlela abasuke bethiwe ngayo. Lana kubhekwa imidlalo emibili ebhalwe ngu Molefe ethi ‘Izwe Lizothini’ kanye nothi ‘Bahlukumezekile Behlakaniphelana Nje. Kuhle ukuthi ukuthi umcwaningi athulele abahloli bakhe nomeluleki isithombe ngokuba ethule imidlalo ngamafuphi. Lokhu kuyobasiza ukuba bakwazi ukubona indlela abethiwe ngayo abalingiswa ukuthi kukhona yini okumele akulungise noma anconywe kukho. Ubuye abheke ukuthi kuyisakhiwo nesizinda sayo le midlalo abalingiswa balukhuphula kanjani izinga. Ucwaningo kumele lubheke futhi isitayela sombhali emdlalweni yomibili Izwe Lizothini kanye nothi Bahlukumezekile Behlakaniphelana Nje ukuthi sihluke kanjani kwabanye ababhali nokuthi sime kanjani. Lolu cwaningo kumele manje liyiphothule indima yalo ngokuba lethule okusuke kuhlaziywa, okuphi okuncomekayo okuphawuliwe nokuthi lapho kunegebe okumele livalwe kanjani. Kumele iphothulwe ngokuba kunikwe umhlahlandela ekuthuthukiseni ucwaningo lwalolu hlobo ikakhulukazi olimini lwesiZulu. / This research analyses the impact by Lawrence Molefe made as an author for two drama books known as Izwe Lizothini and Bahlukumezekile Behlakaniphelana Nje. The primary aim of the research in these drama books is to see how much power and influence is in naming of the characters and how have they been named? The research also focuses on theories and ways that can be used in naming characters as well as the style the author used in his two drama books that would be analyzed. The researcher has chosen drama books from the author Lawrence Molefe to see whether is there anything new that can be learnt from him on how he has name his characters. This will go to as far as analyzing how the author has name his characters and how his style of naming does fit in Freytag’s pyramid (1863). This research is divided into six chapters. This research also focuses on acceptable ways and methods that are being followed and used when naming the characters or even children at large. Analysis focuses on the importance of giving a name to a human being. It is also known that this kind of research has some challenges that are usually experienced. Challenges such as relevant resources that can be used in assisting a research especially when research conducted in naming is written in isiZulu. It is well known that these kinds of resources are widely and abundantly available in other languages. There are many resources whether it is books, articles or journals on naming or onomastics in English available. This simply says that it is imperative for the researcher to go all out in finding important ways that would be used in conducting the research. This also gives a researcher an opportunity to look into the aims and objectives of the analysis. The researcher will also be mindful of whether the analysis will be based on the short term or long term period. This means that the researcher will have to take into consideration the aims and objectives of the research. It is imperative for the researcher to be mindful of the theory that will be used in analyzing naming or onomastics and also look at other theories of onomastics. This lies on the theme or lesson that will be found in naming or giving a name in a character. The analysis needs to focus on the theory that focuses on naming . The research analysis also focuses on what will be analyzed on naming the characters and what inspires the research to be conducted especially giving Zulu names. It is important to look at the resources that will be used when conducting the research on naming. Even though, at this stage the focus is on analyzing Zulu names, it is also vital to look at how different analysis is on naming specifically in other languages. The research analysis also looks at the biography of the author regarding drama books that he published. This allows readers to know more about the author and what inspired his love of writing. This go beyond on finding more about the author and what makes him different from other authors when analyzing his name giving his characters. When conducting research analysis, ways or methods of collecting data or information needs to be clearly explained. Again, it is outmost vital to read what other onomasticians or linguists say about how to analyze name giving or naming. The focus is also on analyzing two literary dramas where attention is given to the role that characters play in ensuring that the story is a success of course with the help of how they have been named. We look at the impact their names have in the drama by just being given names. x The researcher also gives a summary or an overview of story from each book so that the supervisor and co-supervisor have understood what the story is about so that they are able to see how characters have been named. This also allows the researcher to see whether is there any gap that needs to be closed when analyzing naming in isiZulu nor commend on the good work done. It also allows the researcher to look at how names of the characters have impacted on plot and the structure of the drama. Research analysis has also to focus on the naming style used by the author in his two drama books namely Izwe Lizothini and Bahlukumezekile Behlakaniphelana Nje and how does his style differ from other authors. At the end, the research summarizes the role and the impact of name giving and its analysis, what are recommendations on the gap identified during the research and how to close challenges identified. The research is concluded by giving way forward or guidelines that would ensure that more researchers engage in analyzing naming in isiZulu and perhaps other African languages. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

Die Erkenntnis, dass der Staat nicht die einzige Quelle von Recht ist, verbreitet sich zusehends auch in der Rechtswissenschaft. Die Vielfalt normativer Ordnungen wird gewöhnlich mit dem Begriff "Rechtspluralismus" beschrieben. In der Rechtspluralismusforschung besteht weitgehend Einigkeit darüber, dass normative Ordnungen nicht parallel nebeneinander und unabhängig voneinander koexistieren, sondern dass diese sich wechselseitig beeinflussen. Dieses Miteinander kann konfliktreich wie auch kooperativ sein, es kann zum Transfer von Normen und Vorstellungen, aber auch zu Widerstand und Abgrenzung kommen. Diese Arbeit leistet einen Beitrag zur interdisziplinären Rechtsforschung, indem sie Austauschprozesse zwischen verschiedenen normativen Ordnungen analysiert. Hierbei wird "Übersetzen" als maßgebliche Praxis des Rechtspluralismus verstanden und ein methodischer Zugang angeboten, um Austauschprozesse machtsensibel zu analysieren. Am Beispiel Ghanas wird untersucht, wie die Anerkennung von Recht nicht-staatlichen Ursprungs in der Rechtsprechung staatlicher Gerichte praktiziert wird. Ghana ist nicht nur durch eine Vielzahl verschiedener Gesellschaften, sondern auch durch die Koexistenz unterschiedlicher normativer Ordnungen geprägt. Neben dem zur Zeit des britischen Kolonialismus eingeführten Common Law werden zahlreiche lokale Gewohnheitsrechte vom Staat als Rechtsquelle anerkannt. Über den ghanaischen Kontext hinaus ergeben sich auch allgemeine Fragen zum Umgang mit gesellschaftlicher Vielfalt und den damit einhergehenden Konflikten. / Jurisprudence acknowledges more and more that the state is not the only source for legal norms. The diversity of normative orders is usually described with the term "legal pluralism". Scholarship on legal pluralism emphasizes that normative orders do not exist parallel and independently from each other, but that they influence each other mutually. The relationship can be conflictual but also cooperative, there can be transfers of norms and ideas, but also resistance and dissociation. This study contributes to inter-disciplinary jurisprudence by analysing transfer processes between normative orders. It understands "translation" as essential practice of legal pluralism and offers a methodological approach to analyse transfer processes sensitively to power. Using the example of Ghana the study explores how state courts practice the recognition of non-state law. Ghana is characterised not only by the coexistence not only of different cultures, but of different normative orders as well. Next to the common law which had been introduced by British colonialism there is a plurality of local customary laws that are officially recognised as law by the state. This situation raises questions beyond the Ghanaian context on how to deal with social diversity and the conflicts the come along with it.

En av de mest politiskt omdebatterade frågorna i världen idag är hur ett land ska ställa sig till de migranter och människor på flykt som söker skydd inom landets gränser. Även inom juridiken finns olika uppfattningar av vad rätten till asyl verkligen innebär. Syftet med den här uppsatsen är att analysera rätten till asyl i internationell rätt. Är rätten till asyl en territoriell rätt för stater att bevilja asyl? Är det en rätt för flyktingar att söka asyl? Eller en rätt för flyktingar att erhålla asyl? Huruvida rätten har statusen sedvanerätt diskuteras också. I en del av uppsatsen diskuteras de etiska övervägandena bakom rätten till asyl och de tillämpas sedan i en juridisk kontext, närmare bestämt i sedvanebedömningen. Slutsatsen är att rätten till asyl i internationell rätt inkluderar en rätt för stater att bevilja asyl, en rätt för individer att söka asyl och sannolikt också en rätt för flyktingar att erhålla asyl. Mycket talar för att alla dessa aspekter också har utvecklats till sedvanerätt. / One of the most politically debated questions in the world today is how a country should respond to migrants and people who seek refugee within it’s borders. Also in the field of law there are different view about what the right of asylum really means. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the right of asylum in international law. Is the right of asylum a territorial right of states to grant asylum? Is it a right for refugees to seek asylum? Or a right for refugees to receive asylum? Wheater or not the right has the status of customary international law will also be discussed. In one part of the paper the ethical concerns behind the right of asylum will be examined and also applied in a legal context, in the determination of the customary status of the rigt. The conclusion is that the right of asylum in international law includes a territorial right for states to grant asylum, a right for individuals to seek asylum and probably also a right to obtain asylum. All these aspects of the right also seems to be part of customary international law.

By taking the recognition of persons as rights-holders in the framework of international human rights into account, this study directs its attention to women in protracted refugee situations, restricted to stay in camps also when their human rights are at risk due to various forms of violence. The question in focus is the following: To what extent may there be a risk that women in a refugee camp context, distinguished by a protracted refugee situation, do not become visible as rights-holders and entrusted to act with regard to international human rights and the problem of violence against women, especially domestic violence? The research process has taken the form of a continuous dialogue with the material for the study, a dialogue directing attention to material from an established international human rights system on one hand and material dealing with a local refugee camp context on the other. The study finds its entry-point primarily in the context of the international human rights treaty the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), including the work of the CEDAW Committee as a treaty body, and also the international mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences. Due to the presence of a variety of justice mechanisms in the camps, certain aspects of a local customary law tradition are also addressed. The existence of an unlocked legal door for women to take actions in family law matters, or in cases of gender-based violence is something not to take for granted. The hindrances could lie deep in the legal system practiced. It could be an issue of not being entrusted by the structure of the system to act in person, as woman, with a legal capacity and by own right before the law. The study underlines the importance of sharpened awareness and analysis of the presence of a complex legal context and a variety of customary law traditions in the camps. It appears from the study that for women in a refugee camp to be able to act as rights-holders and claim human rights as laid down in human rights conventions, the issue of visibility is not only a matter of training in presenting facts on the ground in front of local authorities. To be visible in addressing the problem of gender-based violence and gaps in protection of human rights in a refugee camp context is first and foremost an issue for women to be recognized the right to act in legal matters. It is an issue of having the freedom of expression and to be recognized the social and legal status to act in their own capacity in front of the local legal structures, including the local customary law context, and to address international human rights monitoring mechanisms, such as the CEDAW Committee or the Special Rapporteur.