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The right to education during armed conflicts - Upholding core obligations during unsecure times

Wagenius, Elsa LU (2024) LAGF03 20241
Department of Law
Faculty of Law
Abstract
The right to education is a fundamental human right protected by international law. While included in several instruments, Article 13 and 14 of the ICESCR is viewed as the codification of the right. Most of the obligations of the ICESCR should be implemented progressively as stipulated in Article 2(1). This includes most obligations relating to education. However, the CESCR has stated that some parts of the rights are core obligations which must be fulfilled immediately.

It is impossible to overlook the fact that our world is facing widespread conflicts. This affects all aspects of society, including the educational system. During public emergencies, which armed conflicts can qualify as, limitations can be placed on the rights outlined... (More)
The right to education is a fundamental human right protected by international law. While included in several instruments, Article 13 and 14 of the ICESCR is viewed as the codification of the right. Most of the obligations of the ICESCR should be implemented progressively as stipulated in Article 2(1). This includes most obligations relating to education. However, the CESCR has stated that some parts of the rights are core obligations which must be fulfilled immediately.

It is impossible to overlook the fact that our world is facing widespread conflicts. This affects all aspects of society, including the educational system. During public emergencies, which armed conflicts can qualify as, limitations can be placed on the rights outlined in the ICESCR. However, limitations can only be justified if they align with the requirements of Article 4 of the Covenant. Today, States who are experiencing armed conflicts are subject to attacks and other challenges resulting in students being deprived of education. The aim of this thesis is to investigate what obligations remain on States during such difficult times. What measures must States take to uphold their core obligations? The thesis uses a legal dogmatic method to scrutinize the law. In addition to this, a legal analytical method is employed to explore the implementation of law and its possible consequences.

The result of this study shows that, while limitations are permitted, many obligations remain on States. As the core obligations are non-derogable, measures must be taken to ensure their fulfillment. This includes for example preventing disruption, allocating resources and continuing to improve the education in the State. A concern that has emerged from this study is the ambiguity surrounding the obligations, which could lead to obligations being disregarded. Another issue that this study shows is the flaws in the reporting system under the CESCR. If the committee is not able to control the obligations being fulfilled it poses a risk of violations. The effects of neglecting the right to education is an uneducated population. This creates further, and more severe, problems for the State and the induvial. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Rätten till utbildning är en grundläggande mänsklig rättighet vilken skyddas av internationell rätt. Rättigheten skyddas av flera instrument. Artikel 13 och 14 i ICESCR anses dock utgöra dess kodifiering. Majoriteten av skyldigheterna i ICESCR ska implementeras progressivt enligt artikel 2(1) i konventionen. Detta gäller även för rätten till utbildning. CESCR har dock utpekat vissa skyldigheter som kärnskyldigheter vilka måste förverkligas omedelbart då konventionen ratificeras.

Det är omöjligt att blunda för de omfattande konflikter som drabbar vår värld idag. Detta påverkar hela samhället, även utbildningssystemet. Under allmänna nödsituationer, vilket väpnade konflikter kan anses vara, finns det möjlighet att begränsa rättigheter i... (More)
Rätten till utbildning är en grundläggande mänsklig rättighet vilken skyddas av internationell rätt. Rättigheten skyddas av flera instrument. Artikel 13 och 14 i ICESCR anses dock utgöra dess kodifiering. Majoriteten av skyldigheterna i ICESCR ska implementeras progressivt enligt artikel 2(1) i konventionen. Detta gäller även för rätten till utbildning. CESCR har dock utpekat vissa skyldigheter som kärnskyldigheter vilka måste förverkligas omedelbart då konventionen ratificeras.

Det är omöjligt att blunda för de omfattande konflikter som drabbar vår värld idag. Detta påverkar hela samhället, även utbildningssystemet. Under allmänna nödsituationer, vilket väpnade konflikter kan anses vara, finns det möjlighet att begränsa rättigheter i ICESCR. Dessa begränsningar måste dock göras i enlighet med artikel 4 i konventionen. Väpnade konflikter resulterar i attacker och andra utmaningar för stater vilket medför att studenter berövas utbildning. Syftet med denna uppsats är att utreda vilka skyldigheter som kvarstår under dessa kritiska omständigheter. Vilka åtgärder måste stater ta för att tillgodose sina kärnskyldigheter? Den rättsdogmatiska metoden används för att utreda gällande rätt. Följande används den rättsanalytiska metoden för att undersöka implementeringen av lagstiftningen samt dess konsekvenser.

Denna undersökning visar att, trots att begränsningar är tillåtna, kvarstår skyldigheter för stater. Då kärnskyldigheterna är tvingande måste åtgärder vidtas för att upprätthålla dessa. Detta innefattar skyldigheten att förhindra störningar, allokera resurser samt att fortsätta att förbättra utbildningen i staten. Av utredningen har en osäkerhet gällande skyldigheters omfattning noterats. Detta kan medföra att skyldigheterna inte fullföljs enhetligt. Även brister i rapporteringssystemet under CESCR har uppmärksammats. Då CESCR inte kan kontrollera förpliktelsernas efterföljande finns en risk för överträdelser. Effekterna av att rätten till utbildning försummas är en outbildad befolkning. Detta skapar ytterligare, och allvarligare, utmaningar för staten och individen. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Wagenius, Elsa LU
supervisor
organization
course
LAGF03 20241
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Public international law, human rights, ICESCR, education, armed conflicts, limitation clause
language
English
id
9152299
date added to LUP
2024-06-26 12:29:40
date last changed
2024-06-26 12:29:40
@misc{9152299,
  abstract     = {{The right to education is a fundamental human right protected by international law. While included in several instruments, Article 13 and 14 of the ICESCR is viewed as the codification of the right. Most of the obligations of the ICESCR should be implemented progressively as stipulated in Article 2(1). This includes most obligations relating to education. However, the CESCR has stated that some parts of the rights are core obligations which must be fulfilled immediately.

It is impossible to overlook the fact that our world is facing widespread conflicts. This affects all aspects of society, including the educational system. During public emergencies, which armed conflicts can qualify as, limitations can be placed on the rights outlined in the ICESCR. However, limitations can only be justified if they align with the requirements of Article 4 of the Covenant. Today, States who are experiencing armed conflicts are subject to attacks and other challenges resulting in students being deprived of education. The aim of this thesis is to investigate what obligations remain on States during such difficult times. What measures must States take to uphold their core obligations? The thesis uses a legal dogmatic method to scrutinize the law. In addition to this, a legal analytical method is employed to explore the implementation of law and its possible consequences.

The result of this study shows that, while limitations are permitted, many obligations remain on States. As the core obligations are non-derogable, measures must be taken to ensure their fulfillment. This includes for example preventing disruption, allocating resources and continuing to improve the education in the State. A concern that has emerged from this study is the ambiguity surrounding the obligations, which could lead to obligations being disregarded. Another issue that this study shows is the flaws in the reporting system under the CESCR. If the committee is not able to control the obligations being fulfilled it poses a risk of violations. The effects of neglecting the right to education is an uneducated population. This creates further, and more severe, problems for the State and the induvial.}},
  author       = {{Wagenius, Elsa}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The right to education during armed conflicts - Upholding core obligations during unsecure times}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}