To the Righthouse

Are human rights an unrealistic luxury? Pragmatically-oriented expressions of human rights scepticism do not take issue with the concept of human rights as such. Rather, they question the relevance and efficacy of human rights in particular settings. They may acknowledge that human rights express a noble ideal to which one can aspire, but in current circumstances it is a luxury that society cannot...

Whose values? Whose experience? Are human rights inclusive? Value-based objections to human rights are commonly stated with reference to culture and/or religion. They may further be linked with a claim that human rights are shaped by and express distinctly Western values. The perception of a certain degree of incompatibility between human rights standards and prevailing cultural norms is widesprea...

Human Rights under pressure: when, why and how to engage with sceptics? In the current era of rising illiberalism and backlash against hard won human rights standards, there is a pressing need to stand firm, hold governments to their agreed international obligations and adopt a confrontational 'naming and shaming' approach to abuses and critics of Human Rights. If this is a pertinent reaction in m...