The International Protection of Human Rights: A Luxury Imposed by the West?

Abstract

he above topic was suggested to the writer by a study group, mostly law students, of the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) who were organising a series of talks on it. What follows are some reflexions on that theme. The question asked by the group is well-formulated and will continue to be discussed for a long time to come. It is, of course, very general in character and can be envisioned from a legal as well as from other viewpoints. On the legal level, it can be approached as an issue of constitutional law or from the angle of international systems for the protection of human rights. It is the latter point which is of interest here. To answer the question asked, two issues must be considered: (i) does the «West» impose human rights standards on the international community? (ii) Can these standards be characterised as «luxuries»?