COLUMBIA HUMAN RIGHTS LAW REVIEW

"Biometrics" refers to biological or physical characteristics usable for automatic recognition, including fingerprints, facial structures, retinal patterns and DNA. The collection of biometric information need not be voluntary, such as a with a surveillance camera outfitted with facial recognition technology. Biometrics has the potential to improve efforts to protect refugees and asylum seekers by providing a credible means of establishing identity, even where they lack other documentation. However, concerns related to violation of privacy,

This article calls for increased recognition of the problems facing women in armed conflict. Although the issue of violence against women has gained significant coverage, the authors argue other issues specific to armed conflict and women, like access to health services and problems of dislocation, remain underreported. The authors focus on the responses of the U.N., its agencies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross to this issue following the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, 1995.

This article presents a background paper for the 2001 World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) illustrating the need to integrate gender issues into considerations of racial discrimination. The authors identify that gender equality and racial equality are interdependent rights, and are thus inseparable (within context of antidiscrimination law). By providing examples of how women face additional barriers where racial inequality and gender inequality intersect, the authors call on States' representatives to incorporate gender perspectives into all policies and programs.

The author argues in this article that the combination of physical and psychological effects of rape inflicts a "spirit injury" on the victim. While criminal or tort law may partially compensate some rape victims for the physical assault, the author contends that the law has never addressed the spirit injuries to the victims or their culture. This article examines the situation of Bosnian Muslims by developing a model of the symptoms of spirit injury drawn

This paper uses the culturally challenging practice of genital surgeries as a way to explain and analyze the author's proposed method for understanding culturally challenging practices. The methodology is a process to use in perceiving and understanding such practices within their cultural context and relies upon a multicultural dialogue as a way to encourage the evolution of more shared values. In addition, the paper argues that human rights law can be used in the eradication of such practices but, the development of such laws must be the result of a multicultural dialogue and consensus.

This article examines the lack of attention to trafficking of American women within US borders. Although sex trafficking affects women from all backgrounds and segments of society, Native women have experienced sexual violence and exploitation at a rate higher than any other ethnic group. Factors that make women vulnerable to trafficking, such as poverty, homelessness, sexual abuse, substance abuse and gang membership, are present in disproportionate rates in American Native communities.

Although CEDAW has been under consideration in the U.S. for the past twenty-five years, the U.S. has not ratified the Convention. This article examines how a ratification of CEDAW could affect U.S. employment law. The author outlines the history of CEDAW in the U.S. Using Canada, where CEDAW has been ratified, as a case study, the article explores how the Convention might affect the U.S. employment discrimination law. In particular, it focuses on four areas: equal opportunity, pay equity, marital and pregnancy protections, and sexual harassment.

This article provides an overview on the legal and social changes relating to domestic violence in Brazil, occurring as a result of international human rights law and the women's movement in Brazil. The author uses a case study of Brazil to exemplify how international bodies and international law can be used to assist in improving women's rights. She provides a discussion of the Brazil's treatment of domestic violence, as well as the obstacles to women's rights, prior to its CEDAW ratification. The article also discusses how women's rights groups in

This article discusses the pivotal importance of Jessica Gonzales v United States, heard by the Inter-American Commission in March 2007. At the time this article was written, the case had not yet been decided. The article offers an in-depth discussion of Ms. Gonzales' case, while also providing a comprehensive outline of the current treatment of domestic violence within American law and international human rights law. The case is not only important to Gonzales but also to the rights of women, especially those of colour. In particular, the article discusses how domestic violence