Translation justice in crises: when lack of access to translation implies human rights violations

Abstract In this article, I address the question of how lack of access to translation in crisis settings can imply violations of human rights. I examine key international human rights instruments, including declarations, covenants, academic literature, and legal cases, to understand how the lack of access or poor access to translation threatens human rights, by confronting the challenge of interpretation and implementation of international instruments in emblematic legal cases. In crisis situations ranging from climate change to armed conflicts and public health crises, effective translation should not be seen as a mere procedural measure but as a crucial means of protecting human rights. These rights include access to information, equality, healthcare, and education, the right to a fair trial, and, crucially, the right to life. The analysis indicates the importance of translation justice, emphasizing the need for adequate translation in crisis management to effectively protect human rights, calling for clearer legislative and policy approaches. It challenges us to break free from the confines of traditional rhetoric and embark on a journey of bold innovation in integrating translation into human rights frameworks and practices, with new paradigms of collaboration and inclusivity that challenge existing norms, disrupt entrenched power dynamics, and amplify marginalized voices.