State Lies as Violations of Human Rights

ABSTRACT: This article examines how lying by state agents can violate various human rights, including freedoms of opinion and expression, the right to health, and the right to participate in public affairs. The article argues that human rights law will apply regardless of whether states lie to their own people or to peoples of other states. The article also argues that lying by state agents can be justified only very exceptionally. Most state lies will fail the test for justified limitations on rights, because they do not pursue any aim regarded as legitimate under human rights law.