Welcome to the International Human Rights Obligations Network (IntHRON)

IntHRON Launch

Terrorism and counter-terrorism: the impact on human rights protection

18th January 2007

IAS Building, Lancaster University

The IntHRON launch was a workshop at Lancaster University, with the keynote speech given by Professor Martin Scheinin, UN Special Rapportuer on the promotion and protection of human rights whilst countering terrorism. Click here for more information.

About IntHRON

In recent years, human rights researchers and activists have carried out significant work and analyses regarding the entities that have human rights obligations, and the content of these obligations.  In the traditional approach to human rights obligations it is the state that has the obligations to protect and promote human rights, but this one-dimensional approach has been increasingly challenged in the last 15 years. This is partially a result of globalisation and greater international interaction. These changes have led to the recognition that actors other than the nation-state may exert great influence on human rights enjoyment, protection and violations, as well as a more nuanced understanding of the content of obligations. 

While questions concerning obligations and obligations-holders are gaining greater attention, much of this work is being done by individual academics, organisations and governmental and international institutions, whose links are incidental at best.

To enhance cooperation and coordination of the disparate work in this field, Lancaster University is now establishing an International Human Rights Obligations Network (IntHRON)

The aims of IntHRON include:

• Developing an international web-based resource bank for research, policy and other activities related to human rights obligations broadly defined.
• Support research groups within different areas of human rights obligations, including (but not limited to):

1. Domestic human rights obligations of states
2. Extraterritorial human rights obligations
3. Obligations of non-state actors, including national and transnational corporations
4. The role of civil society in human rights implementation

• Host or facilitate workshops among the participants within these research groups.
• Publish relevant material on the web-site, including participants' work.
• Create links to relevant activities within other institutions, both public and private.

IntHRON is an open network for anyone working on, or seeking information about, human rights obligations.  We invite participants from academia (both in the UK and abroad), from NGOs, policy makers and international civil servants. The Network is assisted by an Advisory Board.

If you would like to join IntHRON and be added to our mailing list, please contact us.