Enforcement of Human Rights: Mechanisms and Challenges

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of international tribunals established by treaty?

Accepted Answer

They hear cases involving only individuals.

Answer

They have binding authority on states parties to the treaty.

Answer

They are composed of independent judges.

Answer

They are typically established to address specific issues or conflicts.

Question 2

What is a primary limitation of regional courts in enforcing human rights?

Accepted Answer

Lack of jurisdiction over non-member states.

Answer

Limited resources.

Answer

Political bias.

Answer

Inapplicable laws.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using national courts to enforce human rights?

Accepted Answer

Guaranteed impartiality.

Answer

Accessibility for individuals.

Answer

Familiarity with domestic legal systems.

Answer

Ability to enforce their decisions.

Question 4

What is the primary mandate of the International Criminal Court (ICC)?

Accepted Answer

Prosecuting individuals responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

Answer

Monitoring human rights violations globally.

Answer

Providing legal aid to victims of human rights abuses.

Answer

Training legal professionals in international human rights law.

Question 5

What is a key strength of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)?

Accepted Answer

Providing a comprehensive framework of fundamental human rights.

Answer

Being legally binding on all countries.

Answer

Establishing mechanisms for enforcing human rights.

Answer

Achieving universal ratification.

Question 6

What are two challenges to the enforcement of human rights?

Accepted Answer

Lack of political will

Accepted Answer

Lack of resources

Answer

Universality of human rights

Question 7

How do national and international mechanisms for enforcing human rights work together, and what challenges arise in coordinating their efforts?

Accepted Answer

National and international mechanisms complement each other, offering different perspectives and tools for enforcing human rights.

Answer

National and international mechanisms operate independently, with no overlap or coordination.

Answer

National mechanisms are always more effective than international mechanisms in enforcing human rights.

Answer

Coordinating efforts between national and international mechanisms is always straightforward and easy.

Question 8

How do regional courts contribute to the enforcement of human rights?

Accepted Answer

Both (a) and (c)

Answer

Monitoring compliance with human rights treaties

Answer

Adjudicating individual complaints

Answer

Issuing binding judgments

Question 9

What is the significance of the principle of complementarity in the enforcement of human rights?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that international tribunals intervene only when national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute.

Answer

It requires national courts to give priority to international tribunals in all cases.

Answer

It prevents national courts from prosecuting individuals already facing trial before an international tribunal.

Answer

It mandates international cooperation in the enforcement of human rights

Question 10

What are the key challenges in enforcing economic and social rights? How can states effectively protect and realize these rights?

Accepted Answer

Economic and social rights are inherently difficult to enforce.

Answer

International organizations should take the lead in enforcing economic and social rights.

Answer

Economic and social rights are less important than civil and political rights.

Question 11

Which of the following is **NOT** a major mechanism for enforcing human rights?

Accepted Answer

Diplomatic negotiations

Answer

International tribunals

Answer

National courts

Answer

Regional courts

Question 12

Which international tribunal has **primary jurisdiction** over war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide?

Accepted Answer

International Criminal Court

Answer

Inter-American Court of Human Rights

Answer

International Court of Justice

Answer

European Court of Human Rights

Question 13

Which regional court has the **exclusive authority** to interpret and enforce the European Convention on Human Rights?

Accepted Answer

European Court of Human Rights

Answer

African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights

Answer

Inter-American Court of Human Rights

Answer

International Criminal Court

Question 14

Which **domestic** court in the United Kingdom has original jurisdiction over human rights cases?

Accepted Answer

High Court of Justice

Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

Magistrates' Court

Answer

Court of Appeal

Question 15

What is the essence of the "**complementarity principle**" in the context of the International Criminal Court?

Accepted Answer

The ICC only exercises jurisdiction when national courts are **unwilling or unable** to prosecute crimes

Answer

The ICC has **exclusive** jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide

Answer

National courts have **priority** over the ICC in prosecuting human rights violations

Question 16

Which of the following is **NOT** a principle guiding the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights?

Accepted Answer

Strict interpretation

Answer

Margin of appreciation

Answer

Dynamic interpretation

Answer

Purposive interpretation

Question 17

What is a **crucial** role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in enforcing human rights?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring and advocating for compliance, providing legal aid, and raising awareness

Answer

Prosecuting human rights violations

Answer

Enforcing human rights treaties through binding decisions

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a primary mechanism for enforcing human rights at the international level?

Accepted Answer

National Courts

Answer

European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)

Answer

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Answer

UN Human Rights Committee

Question 19

What is the primary role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in enforcing human rights?

Accepted Answer

Settling legal disputes between states related to human rights treaties.

Answer

Issuing legally binding judgments against individuals who violate human rights.

Answer

Investigating and prosecuting individuals accused of human rights violations.

Question 20

A state's reservation to a human rights treaty typically aims to:

Accepted Answer

Exclude or modify the legal effect of certain provisions within its own territory.

Answer

Extend the treaty's application to non-state actors.

Answer

Strengthen its commitment to upholding the treaty's principles.

Question 21

The principle of 'complementarity' in the context of the International Criminal Court (ICC) refers to:

Accepted Answer

The ICC's jurisdiction as a last resort, acting only when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute.

Answer

The requirement for states to cooperate in extraditing individuals accused of crimes against humanity.

Question 22

Which of the following is a significant challenge to the effective enforcement of human rights through international mechanisms?

Accepted Answer

The principle of state sovereignty often limits the power of international bodies to intervene in domestic affairs.

Answer

International human rights law lacks clarity and consistency, making it difficult to apply uniformly.

Question 23

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) primarily hears cases brought by:

Accepted Answer

Individuals against states for violations of rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Answer

States against other states for breaches of international humanitarian law.

Question 24

What is the primary function of UN Special Rapporteurs in the field of human rights?

Accepted Answer

To investigate and report on human rights situations in specific countries or thematic areas.

Answer

To impose sanctions on states found to be violating international human rights standards.

Answer

To provide legal representation to victims of human rights violations before international tribunals.

Question 25

Universal jurisdiction, in the context of human rights, allows national courts to:

Accepted Answer

Prosecute individuals for grave human rights crimes regardless of where the crimes were committed or the nationality of those involved.

Answer

Exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute corporations for human rights abuses occurring in their global supply chains.

Question 26

What is a significant limitation of using economic sanctions as a tool to enforce human rights?

Accepted Answer

Sanctions can disproportionately impact vulnerable populations within the targeted state, exacerbating human rights concerns.

Answer

Economic sanctions are ineffective in changing the behavior of states with poor human rights records.

Question 27

The use of 'naming and shaming' strategies by human rights NGOs aims to:

Accepted Answer

Expose human rights abuses publicly, exert pressure on perpetrators, and mobilize international condemnation.

Answer

Gather evidence for legal proceedings against individuals accused of human rights violations.