La protection des droits des nouvelles minorités dans le contexte européen et international
Elena LAZĂR
L’objectif de cet article est d’aborder la question des nouvelles minorités, et plus précisément les modalités de protection de leurs droits par rapport à la protection des droits des minorités nationales traditionnelles. La forte augmentation des migrations enregistrée au cours des dernières décennies a entraîné la formation et la consolidation, dans de nombreux États, de nouveaux groupes de minorités d’origine migratoire, pour lesquels on a commencé à utiliser de plus en plus le concept de « nouvelles minorités ». Après une introduction théorique dans laquelle j’aborde le contenu et l’évolution du terme de « nouvelle minorité », je présente certaines différences majeures entre les nouvelles et les anciennes minorités. L’article présente plusieurs réglementations juridiques, tant au niveau européen qu’international, qui font directement référence à la protection des nouvelles minorités, mais analyse également d’autres normes qui s’appliquent à toutes les minorités. Par ailleurs, on a tenté de mettre en évidence les moyens de garantir la protection des droits des nouvelles minorités dans plusieurs pays européens, ainsi que la position de l’UE et de la communauté internationale sur cette question.
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Environmental Dimension of Sustainable Development: A Critical Assessment of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ’s General Comment no. 27 (2025)
Laura-Maria CRĂCIUNEAN-TATU
The General Comment no. 27 (2025) on economic, social and cultural rights and the environmental dimension of sustainable development is the last general comment adopted by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the Committee), in September 2025, after a consistent work that lasted almost 6 years. It highlights the adverse impacts of environmental degradation on economic, social and cultural rights and clarifies the obligations of State parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the Covenant), with respect to the environmental dimension of sustainable development. The general comment seeks to provide guidance to states with regard to the fulfilment of their obligations under the Covenant, in light of the current realities related to climate change and environmental degradation, namely in a manner that respects ecological limits and the finite character of natural resources. At the same time, the general comment is following a wider trend that it is currently present in the work of several international organizations, namely that of clarifying states international obligations in the context of environmental degradation and climate change.
While making a short overview of the document, the present paper aims at looking at it with a critical eye with a view to responding to two main questions, namely: 1. How did the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights approached economic growth, sustainable development, environment and the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights before the adoption of GC no. 27 (2025)? and 2. Is GC 27 (2025) proposing a different approach, including a different economic model? And, if yes, what would this new approach entail.
Consequently, the paper is proposing an short overview of the Committee ’s approach to economic growth, sustainable development, environment and the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights rights, before the adoption of GC no. 27 (2025) (Section I), followed by a short presentation and evaluation of CG no. 27 (2025), including with regard to the Committee ’s stance on a new economic model that would be able to reconcile the realization of economic, social and cultural rights with planet ’s ecological limits (Section II). This paper will conclude with identification of the main takeaways and of future perspectives on the topic.
Extraterritorial Application of Human Rights in Cyberspace. Due Diligence Obligations.
Smaranda-Georgiana AZAMFIREI
The extension of a State’s jurisdiction beyond its territory generates consequences with respect to the content of the obligations under international human rights law. This article aims to examine the criteria that can be transposed to cyberspace for the purpose of establishing extraterritorial jurisdiction, and, from the perspective of the obligations of States, it will analyze both the primary obligations of the State- including due diligence obligations- and the subsidiary obligations of the foreign State in ensuring the protection of persons and their property.
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction under the European Convention on Human Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture – the Case of Transnistria
Tatiana-Lăcrămioara ȘOLDĂNESCU
This research examines the extraterritorial application of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) in Transnistria, a region where questions of jurisdiction remain highly contested. Although officially part of the Republic of Moldova, the State’s obligation to prevent, investigate, and punish acts of torture is constrained by its loss of de facto control over this territory. The analysis compares the approaches of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the Committee against Torture in interpreting jurisdiction beyond national borders. The findings show that both mechanisms contribute positively to combating impunity and extending human rights protection to population in this territory. While the ECtHR has adopted a pragmatic approach assigning shared obligations to the Republic of Moldova and Russia, the Committee against Torture remains more cautious. The study concludes that international human rights law is evolving toward recognizing accountability based on control and influence rather than strict territoriality, urging both bodies to strengthen their engagement in these grey zones of international law.
Reinterpreting the Diplomatic Inviolabilities in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in the Era of New Technologies*
Ioana-Alexandra SMĂRĂNDESCU
This article examines the challenges regarding the diplomatic inviolabilities contained in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) in the current high-tech era. As new technologies begin to reshape international relations, the diplomatic activity must adapt to new challenges. In recent years, there have been numerous incidents targeting diplomatic activity. Little by little, the Vienna Convention, the cornerstone of diplomatic law, is no longer capable of insuring the protection of this activity. Despite the efforts of scholars, notably the experts involved in the creation of the Tallinn Manual 2.0, “modern” diplomatic inviolabilities remain an unregulated branch of international law. This study aims to highlight the need for a stronger response from the international community regarding this aspect. By addressing this issue, this article contributes to the ongoing discussions regarding the adaptation of traditional institutions of international law to cyberspace and its specificities.