Non-state actors cannot breach international human rights law. Actions by an organisation, group or individual that is not a state, irrespective of the severe impact that those actions may have on the human rights of others, cannot cause a violation of international human rights law. This...

There is no denying that human rights NGOs play an increasingly significant role at the international scene, their contributions to the development of human rights docket (treaties, principles and standards) and active participation in the implementation of the bill of rights at national levels...

The conduct of non-state actors can give rise to human rights violations to a greater extent than one would expect. Human rights law, interpreted in the light of general international law, applies to every private actor that is endowed with state power in any form. It applies to private entities...

The inauguration of the universal periodic review (UPR) and the Advisory Committee in 2008 as the two new mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council marked a significant step towards the finalisation of the Council's institution-building process. The following article provides a critical...