Decolonizing Human Rights

This book advances practical protection of human rights, and challenge claims of western monopoly of human rights discourse.

Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim (Author)

9781108404570, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 December 2021

250 pages
23.1 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.2 kg

In his extensive body of work, Professor Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim challenges both historical interpretations of Islamic Sharia and neo-colonial understanding of human rights. To advance the rationale of scholarship for social change, An-Naim proposes advancing the universality of human rights through internal discourse within Islamic and African societies and cross-cultural dialogue among human cultures. This book proposes a transformation from human rights organized around a state determined practice to one that is focused on a people-centric approach that empowers individuals to decide how human rights will be understood and integrated into their communities. Decolonizing Human Rights aims to illustrate the decisive role of human agency on the subject of change, without implying that Islamic or any other society are exceptionally disposed to politically motivated violence and consequent profound political instability.

1. Evolution of founding vision
2. Marriage of futility: international law and human rights
3. Deadly mirage of humanitarian intervention
4. People-centric protection of human rights
5. Human rights are the measure of our humanity.

Subject Areas: International human rights law [LBBR], Human rights [JPVH], International relations [JPS]