The importance and extent of the migration phenomenon, affecting as it does huge numbers of people the world over cannot be overemphasized. Coming from third world countries, poverty-stricken and strangers in foreign lands, migrant workers irrespective of country of origin indeed become vulnerable to oppression and exploitation and all kinds of abuses. The question that needs to be addressed continues to be whether or not the existing ILO Conventions and Recommendations as well as the core international human rights treaties together with the International Convention on Migrant Workers have been adequately implemented in order to effectively address the problems related to the promotion and protection of migrant workers’rights. Given the flood of unabated reports and complaints of abuses and exploitation that migrant workers the world over have to suffer and contend with, the answer is quite obvious. While bilateral and multilateral agreements continue to serve the specific concerns of sending and receiving States pertinent to the protection of the rights of migrant workers, the real need is for a continent-wide forum in Asia which can eventually consolidate all mechanisms and measures that will promote and protect the rights of migrant workers in a truly comprehensive and integrated manner.

Japanese immigration law has been amended several times since 2000. These revisions aimed at coping with globalization and regionalization in East Asia. Since mobility is a critical issue for establishing a transnational labor market and ultimately a regional community, this article examines the interaction between Japanese immigration law, especially that of the Industrial Training and Technical Internship Program, and the struggle to build an East Asian Community. This article proposes enhancing the mutual recognition of certifications of skill as a means to promote the movement of people in the region.

The right to free interpretation in criminal proceedings is one of the important components of the right to fair trial in international law. It applies to everyone within the territory and jurisdiction of the State, including those ethnic minorities who speak and write different languages from the ethnic majority. The international human rights treaty bodies and regional human rights courts expanded the scope of this right and imposed more obligations upon the State parties through the general comments and jurisprudences. This right serves to the interest of the right to fair trial in criminal proceedings. Under Chinese law, there might be two or more languages used in judicial proceedings in ethnic autonomous areas. In the case that one specific language is designated as the language to prosecute and try a specific criminal case, the Chinese judicial organs must provide interpretation and translation to the participant who is not familiar with that specific language. Therefore the right to free interpretation is implied in Chinese law and preserves the constitutional principle of equality to all ethnicities and the right to fair trial. The problem, however, is that such a right is not well implemented in Chinese judicial practice. Several practices are inconsistent with the minimum standards developed by the jurisprudence of the international human rights treaty bodies. It is suggested that China establish the regulations and judicial interpretations that comply with international minimum standards, and provide a robust constitutional review mechanism or national human rights institution to remedy the victims for violations of this right.

Few would dispute that good health is fundamental to a full and active life. It is the key to wealth and prosperity. Good health contributes directly to economic growth while poor health drives poverty. The right to health is considered directly in many international instruments including the World Health Organization. Every single country in the world is now a member of at least one of the many international instruments where health is treated as a human right. Sound health is a precondition to enjoy right to live peaceful. This right to health is guaranteed by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. If anybody in Bangladesh is deprived of enjoying his life then he can go to the court in order enforce his right. This paper aims at giving an overview of legal and regulatory framework of different international legal instruments and national laws of Bangladesh relating to healthcare and shares the response of Bangladesh Government in relation to the framework.

Singapore will soon submit a national report to and subsequently appear before the UN Human Rights Council for a universal periodic review of its human rights laws and practices. This review will elicit a rare and unprecedented expression of whether and how Singapore feels it has adhered to international human rights law, and ways in which it may further refine or calibrate its domestic practices. This article seeks to identify Singapore’s human rights achievements; highlight challenges it should be prepared to address; and recommend measures it should adopt to promote human rights.

Pacta sunt servanda - agreements must be obeyed - is a peremptory principle of modern international law of treaty. What are the origin and nature of this doctrine? Some say, its Latin wording indicates that it is of Roman origin. And this doctrine is a must for the social good; without it the society will be a chaos. But how does Islam perceive the notion? This paper finds that this doctrine came into being with the very beginning of the creation of human souls by Allaah Whom they accepted as their Sole Lord and made a commitment to follow His commands. And it is a principal tenet for Muslims to adhere to because it is an inseparable part of their faith (Iman), a command from their Lord and a practice (Sunnah) of their Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is, therefore, obligatory not merely because it is good for the society, but is also rooted in the teachings of Islamic doctrine and a Muslim’s accountability in the life hereafter.

Since the implementation of the disengagement plan in 2005, Israel has alleged that it no longer occupies the Gaza Strip and claimed its right to legitimate self-defence based on Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, including the suffocating blockade imposed there as well as the ‘Cast Lead’military Operation and others. This paper analyzes Israeli’s claim in light of international law and the objective facts taking place in the Gaza Strip resulting from the implementation of the disengagement plan.

The Jews and Palestinians are entitled to self-determination in the historical area of Palestine. An Arab state, the Kingdom of Jordan, has been established in Eastern Palestine and a Jewish state, Israel, in part of Western Palestine. The status of the intermediate area, known as the West Bank is as yet undetermined. It was part of Palestine which the League of Nations destined for a Jewish national home, since, however, the majority of the population of the West Bank are Palestinian Arabs, who are entitled to a right of self-determination, Israel will have to relinquish its claims to this area. The Palestinians for their part will have to accept the Jewish right of selfdetermination in the state of Israel. Among the issues that will need to be negotiated between the parties are borders, the status of Jerusalem, security arrangements, refugees, settlements and water issues.