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

2015

Book chapters

  • Kessing, P. V., 'The extraterritorial use of armed drones and international human rights law - Different views on legality in US and Europe?' in Andersen, E.A., and Lassen, E.M. (eds.) , Europe and the Americas: Transatlantic approaches to human rights, Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2015 (Peer-reviewed).
  • 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).

Journal articles

  • Smith, P. S., 'Children of Imprisoned Parents in Scandinavia. Their Problems, Treatment and the Role of Scandinavian Penal Culture', Law in Context, 3, 2015 (Peer-reviewed).
  • Smith, P. S., 'Reform and research – re-connecting prison and society in the 21st century', the International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, 4(1), 2015 (Peer-reviewed).

2014

Books

  • Smith, P. S., When the innocent are punished: the children of imprisoned parents, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014 (Peer-reviewed).

Book chapters

  • Smith, P.S., 'Probleme und reaktionen der Kinder von inhaftierten' in Molbech, A., Enghoff, T., & Nießen, M. (eds.), Das Familienhaus Engelsborg, Münster: Eigenverlag. Chance, 2014, pp.133-147 (Non-peer-reviewed).

Journal articles

  • Martin, T.M. and Jefferson, A.M. (eds.), 'Special issue: Everyday prison governance in Africa', Prison Service Journal, 212 , 2014 (Peer-reviewed).

Popular articles

Reports

2013

Book chapters

  • Kessing, P.V., 'Security Detention in UN peace operations' in Larsen, K.M. et al. (eds.), Searching for a 'Principle of Humanity' in International Humanitarian Law, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013, pp.272-304 (Peer-reviewed).