A country’s human rights record is a crucial factor in assessing the level of risk – whether for the prevention of conflict, assessment of stability, or decisions on business opportunities. The literature on risk assessment discusses the meaning of risk and examines political or investment danger, but there is very little consideration of the relevance of human rights. Any risk assessment should start by considering a country’s human rights infrastructure, record and problems.
National protection system
United Nations human rights strategies increasingly emphasise national protection systems. This concept means that it is necessary to look at a country’s constitution, laws and courts to see how far they reflect international human rights norms.
