Conceptual divergence in human rights: a continuing debate
By: Josukutty, C.A.
Material type:
ArticlePublisher: 2006Description: p.396-41.Subject(s): Human rights
In:
ISDA JournalSummary: Human Rights are considered as the greatest idea of this generation and a milestone in the development of the rights of man. Innumerable declarations, covenants and legislations have been initiated and entered into at na;tional and international levels for the protection and promotion of human rigfhts. Inspite of all these efforts human rights violation continue unabated. One of the reasons for the almost universal violation of human rights is the divergence in the concept of human rights between the West, the Socialist and the Developing World. The western capitalist countries, with a gory record of human rights, want to gain universal acceptance for their concept of human rights. Inspired by the liberal school of thought, they give more importance to civil and political rights than social and cultural rights. An extension of this perception of human rights under globalization has resulted in violation of human rights through myriad ways. Different from the Western perception, the underdeveloped countries and the socialists influenced by Marxian ideas, give importance to social economic, cultural and community or group rights. Rights are to be seen from a social and cultural perspective and not from the spectrum of individual freedom alone. Human rights are inherent and indigenous to every society. Prescribing universal and homogenous standards for its protection and promotion itself is a violation of rights. This has given rise to an intense debate over universalism and cultural relativism of human rights. The very propagators of human rights have no compunction in perpetuating situations of poverty and illiteracy, authoritarian regimes and cultural genocide across the World. The forces of globalisation have further aggravated the situation. The divergence in the perception of human rights is a fundamental issue to be solved. What is required is a consensus on human rights between the `West and the Rest' and a deconstruction of the concept of human rights towards its protection and promotion globally. - Reproduced.
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Articles
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Indian Institute of Public Administration | Volume no: 16, Issue no: 4 | Available | AR74546 |
Human Rights are considered as the greatest idea of this generation and a milestone in the development of the rights of man. Innumerable declarations, covenants and legislations have been initiated and entered into at na;tional and international levels for the protection and promotion of human rigfhts. Inspite of all these efforts human rights violation continue unabated. One of the reasons for the almost universal violation of human rights is the divergence in the concept of human rights between the West, the Socialist and the Developing World. The western capitalist countries, with a gory record of human rights, want to gain universal acceptance for their concept of human rights. Inspired by the liberal school of thought, they give more importance to civil and political rights than social and cultural rights. An extension of this perception of human rights under globalization has resulted in violation of human rights through myriad ways. Different from the Western perception, the underdeveloped countries and the socialists influenced by Marxian ideas, give importance to social economic, cultural and community or group rights. Rights are to be seen from a social and cultural perspective and not from the spectrum of individual freedom alone. Human rights are inherent and indigenous to every society. Prescribing universal and homogenous standards for its protection and promotion itself is a violation of rights. This has given rise to an intense debate over universalism and cultural relativism of human rights. The very propagators of human rights have no compunction in perpetuating situations of poverty and illiteracy, authoritarian regimes and cultural genocide across the World. The forces of globalisation have further aggravated the situation. The divergence in the perception of human rights is a fundamental issue to be solved. What is required is a consensus on human rights between the `West and the Rest' and a deconstruction of the concept of human rights towards its protection and promotion globally. - Reproduced.
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