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16. Throughout the Study, statistics of refugees and displaced persons cited are in practicaly every case
case those reported by
UNHCR, which generally receives them from governments (a notable exception was UNHCR's Own individual registration of Indo-Chinese refugees). Figures of population and gross
national product (GNP) are taken from the World Bank's 1981
Report, and relate to the year 1979.
B. Human Rights
17. In recent decades, the use and abuse of the concept of
human rights has become more widespread than ever before, partly because of frequent violations of these rights and partly due to greater awareness of them, on the part of both the individual and the State. The term "human rights" itself
contains elements of ambiguity: while the "human" part is clear, the notion of "right" implies entitlement, the possi- bility to claim legitimately what may be denied. However, this is hardly the way governments view human rights. The situation reflects the conflict between the classic and progress-
ive schools of international law. As efforts are made to have
individuals, rather than States, as subjects of international law, an equally strong case is made by States
is made by States to safeguard
their sovereign prerogatives.
18. Since the individual is the ultimate beneficiary in any
system of international law and practice, the need to respect human rights is all the more important. These rights, as
embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,
constitute a set of guidelines, a code of conduct, of how, in an ideal society, the nation-state should deal with the
individual. The former may not abuse the latter. The rule of law should reign supreme and impartial courts must