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CRIME AND HUMAN RIGHTS

NCJ Number
47754
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 10-15
Author(s)
M LOPEZ-REY
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS IS DISCUSSED AS AN INTERNATIONAL CRIME.
Abstract
IT IS MAINTAINED THAT IN MANY COUNTRIES CRIMINAL VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS HAS BECOME A SUBSTANTIAL OR EVEN THE GREATER PART OF NATIONAL CRIME, ALTHOUGH IT IS SELDOM REVEALED IN THE CRIMINAL STATISTICS AND RARELY DISCUSSED AS A CONCERN OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. CRIME, PARTICULARLY AS IT AFFECTS HUMAN RIGHTS, IS BELIEVED TO TRANSCEND NATIONAL CRIMINAL CODES. VIEWING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AS INTERNATIONAL CRIMES, IT IS ADVOCATED THAT INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS BE PROVIDED A MEANS TO BRING ACCUSATIONS AGAINST GOVERNMENTS OR INSTITUTIONS BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL JURISDICTION. THE IMMODERATE AIM TO INCREASE PRODUCTION-CONSUMPTION ON THE PART OF GOVERNMENTS IS CONSIDERED A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO A VARIETY OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. POLITICAL OR IDEOLOGICAL AIMS WHICH ARE THE MONOPOLY OF A SINGLE PARTY OR AUTHORITARIAN REGIME ARE ALSO VIEWED AS INSTRUMENTAL IN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF PERSONS NOT CONFORMING TO THE PARTY LINE. IT IS ARGUED THAT HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER ANY POLITICAL IDEOLOGY SHOULD BE MAINTAINED FOR ALL CITIZENS UNDER A GOVERNMENT'S JURISDICTION. THE INTERNATIONAL CODIFICATION OF ALL PROVISIONS REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS IS RECOMMENDED, AND AN EFFECTIVE INTERNATIONAL ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM IS SUGGESTED. (RCB)