How may human rights acquire universal recognition?

Abstract

The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an opportunity to assess the efficacy of the Declaration. Hence it is important to gauge the extent of respect for human rights; taking into account the differences between the various human societies existing in the framework of the international community. The 1948 Declaration embodied Euro-American principles. Hence the world outside Europe and North America was perceived in terms of distinctions existing within Western ideas. If human rights are the product of Western civilisation, albeit deemed to be "universal," the question of whether they should be accepted by those who did not participate in the intellectual evolution of human rights has to be posed. Respect for human rights is an obligation incumbent upon every member of the international community. Yet certain states are not ready to subscribe to key tenets of human rights unless these are modified to take account of their culture. These attitudes may serve as pretexts to justify violence or dictatorship. They may also reflect an irrational response to feelings of exclusion and powerlessness engendered by the process of economic globalisation. However, human rights should take into consideration the differing beliefs found in various cultures. This is the best way to ensure the growth of universal respect for human rights.