Research on security

Research area: Security
In particular the threats of terror have resulted in a number of political initiatives, which have had significant human rights implications.

The security issue gives rise to several complex questions, to which there is a need for the Danish Institute for Human Rights to contribute with research-based insights.

In Denmark, the authorities have been granted extended powers in the following domains: New criminal legislation has been passed, travel bans introduced, increased anti-radicalisation efforts in prisons implemented, municipality alert measures introduced, increased observation in schools and asylum centres, as well as surveillance, and an extension of the powers of PET – The Danish Security and Intelligence Service and FE – The Danish Defence Intelligence Service.

Similarly, the conditions in Danish prisons have been considerably tightened through legislative and administrative changes over the last few years in order to maintain order and discipline in prisons.

While the security agenda can be at odds with human rights, there is a rising awareness globally that respecting human rights can prevent terror and conflicts.

Research projects

The project looks into the reporting obligation in Danish schools as well as into the local government efforts against extremism.

Contact person: Peter Vedel Kessing

This project looks at state responsibility in joint military operations.

Contact person: Peter Vedel Kessing

The project analyses the use force and solitary confinement in Danish prisons and its human rights implications.

Contact person: Peter Vedel Kessing

 

Research publications

2016

Books

  • Faye Jacobsen, A., Jensen, Steven L.B. , Kampen om menneskerettighederne, København: Gads Forlag, 2016 (Non-peer-reviewed).
  • Kessing, P.V. et al., Danmark og den humanitære folkeret , Copenhagen: DJØF, 2016 (Peer-reviewed).
  • Kessing, P. V. og Laursen, A (eds.) , Robust Mandat - Juridiske udfordringer ved danske militære missioner i det 21. århundrede, : DJØF, 2016 (Peer-reviewed).

Book chapters

  • Kessing, P.V. , 'The Use of Soft Law in Regulating Armed Conflict - From jus in bello to ´soft law in bello`?' in Lagoutte, S., Gammeltoft-Hansen, T., Cerone, J. (eds.), Tracing the Roles of Soft Law in Human Rights, : Oxford University Press, 2016 (Peer-reviewed).

Journal articles

  • Kessing, P.V., Andersen, L.G. , 'Brug af peberspray i danske fængsler og arresthuse', Nordisk Tidsskrift for Kriminalvidenskab, 103(1), 2016 (Peer-reviewed).
  • Kessing, P. V., Andersen, L. G. , 'Politiets brug af peberspray ', Nordisk Tidsskrift for Kriminalvidenskab, 103(3), 2016 (Peer-reviewed).

Popular articles

  • Kessing, P.V. , 'Hvilke regler gælder i krig?', Videnskab.dk, Forskerzonen, 2016.
  • Kessing, P.V. , 'Kan Danmark være allieret med Trump?', Videnskab.dk, Forskerzonen, 2016.

2015

Book chapters

  • Smith, P. S., and Koch, I., 'Isolation - et fængsel i fængslet' in Vestergaard, J., Kyvsgaard, B., Holmberg, L., and Elholm, T. (eds.), Kriminalistiske pejlinger, Copenhagen: Jurist- og Økonomforbundets Forlag, 2015 (Non-peer-reviewed).
  • Martin, T. M., 'Managing with escapes – human rights and the practical norms of prison governance in Uganda' in de Sardan, J.-P. O., and de Herdt, T. (eds.), The Game of the Rules: Real Governance and Practical Norms in Sub-sahara Africa, London: Routledge, 2015 (Peer-reviewed).