Article 43 of the Arab Charter on Human Rights: Reconciling National, Regional, and International Standards.

Article 43 of the Arab Charter on Human Rights states, "Nothing in this Charter may be construed or interpreted as impairing the rights and freedoms protected by the domestic laws of the States parties or those set forth in the international and regional human rights instruments which the states parties have adopted or ratified, including the rights of women, the rights of children and the rights of minorities." Article 43 thus addresses the interaction between the Arab Charter on Human Rights and the domestic laws of Arab states. It also addresses the relationship between the Charter and international law. In analyzing these interactions, I argue that interpretation of the rights stipulated in the Charter should not be impaired by domestic laws that may restrict such rights. Instead, I explain that the Charter, as a regional convention, should be read in accordance with the principles of international treaty interpretation. I conclude that the Article 43 mandate requires a review of domestic legislation to ensure compatibility with the Charter as well as the incorporation of international law in domestic courts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]