Human Rights at the Millennium - 
            Human Rights: Universality in Practice. By Peter R. Baehr. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1999. Pp. viii, 178. Index. $65. - 
            The Future of International Human Rights. Edited by Burns H. Weston and Stephen P. Marks. Ardsley NY: Transnational Publishers, 1999. Pp. xvii, 514. Index. $115. - 
            Human Rights Fifty Years On: A Reappraisal. Edited by Tony Evans. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1998. Pp. x, 237. Index. 40, cloth; 12.99, paper. - 
            The Power of Human Rights: International Norms and Domestic Change. Edited by Thomas Risse, Stephen C. Ropp, and Kathryn Sikkink. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1999. Pp. xii, 318. Index. $59.95, cloth; $22.95, paper.

Human rights were a defining discourse of the 20th century. The opening decades of the twenty-first, however, have witnessed increasing claims that the time of this discourse as an emancipatory tool is up. Focusing on international human rights law, I offer a response to these claims. Drawing from Elizabeth Grosz, Drucilla Cornell and Judith Butler, I propose that a productive future for this area of law in facilitating radical social change can be envisaged by considering more closely the relationship between human rights and temporality and by thinking through a conception of rights which is untimely. This involves abandoning commitment to linearity, progression and predictability in understanding international human rights law and its development and viewing such as based on a conception of the future that is unknown and uncontrollable, that does not progressively follow from the present, and that is open to embrace of the new.

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18. The right to self-determination

International Human Rights Law ◽

10.1093/he/9780198843672.003.0018 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 330-347

Author(s):

Rhona K. M. Smith

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Self Determination ◽

Current Debate ◽

International Human Rights Law ◽

Human Rights Law ◽

International Human Rights ◽

Territorial Integrity ◽

The Future ◽

International Human ◽

The Right

This chapter examines the right to self-determination in international human rights law. It traces the origins of this right and considers issues characterizing the current debate on the future of self-determination. The chapter suggests that while self-determination is acceptable for divesting States of colonial powers, problems can arise when groups that are not the sole occupants of a State territory choose to exercise self-determination. The right to self-determination may sit uneasily with respect for territorial integrity of States. Various forms of modern self-determination, including partial or full autonomy within States are emerging.

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23. Current issues

International Human Rights Law ◽

10.1093/he/9780198805212.003.0023 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Rhona K. M. Smith

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Fundamental Rights ◽

International Human Rights ◽

Environmental Rights ◽

The Future ◽

International Human ◽

State Actors ◽

The Law ◽

Fundamental Rights And Freedoms ◽

State Responses

This chapter outlines the future agenda for international human rights and provides an overview of some issues that are likely to characterize the evolution of international human rights in the future. These include non-State actors, including businesses. Environmental rights are also considered. The chapter also suggests that State responses to the threat of terrorism must be proportionate to said threat and must be in accordance with the law, respecting fundamental rights and freedoms.

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17. The right to self-determination

International Human Rights Law ◽

10.1093/he/9780198805212.003.0017 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Rhona K. M. Smith

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Self Determination ◽

Current Debate ◽

International Human Rights Law ◽

Human Rights Law ◽

International Human Rights ◽

Territorial Integrity ◽

The Future ◽

International Human ◽

The Right

This chapter examines the right to self-determination in international human rights law. It traces the origins of this right and considers issues characterizing the current debate on the future of self-determination. The chapter suggests that while self-determination is acceptable for divesting States of colonial powers, problems can arise when groups that are not the sole occupants of a State territory choose to exercise self-determination. The right to self-determination may sit uneasily with respect for territorial integrity of States. Various forms of modern self-determination, including partial or full autonomy within States are emerging.

Download Full-text