Human rights in international legal education
Do you think that human rights are only about humans? Why can’t non-humans, nature and technology also have rights and responsibilities? Should we prioritize individual rights or do communal rights have a voice? Are there ways to protect people and the planet that fall outside of the framework for human rights?
This research challenges the traditional approaches to human rights by interrupting iconic human rights texts, like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and by asking how human rights should be taught in law schools. By directly editing and striking out words, one can critique concepts like ‘universality’.
The research also takes the rights discussion to other themes such as the commons, communal rights, nature and non-human rights and how technology or corporations should be involved and included in the rights and responsibilities of societies.
Research
The research findings are communicated through different mediums, rather than exclusively through journals or print media, for a greater reach and wider accessibility. The findings are disseminated on a website and through social media platforms Instagram and LinkedIn.
It involves not only written words, but also stories passed on orally, media sources such as television or the internet, works of art and music. Even written texts are interrupted or supplemented. The idea is to look not only at the 'hard' text, but also at the ways in which that text is affected, interpreted or supplemented.
Purpose of the research
With this research we aim to provide new ways to teach and learn about human rights.
Results
This research has brought some great outcomes. Learning modules have been developed, presentations have been given and interesting discussions took place. Posts were made for social media, articles written and surveys conducted. See some examples below:
- Read several articles on this topic on this Citizenship Debates page
- Read the article 'When the textbook misleads' on LinkedIn
- Check out this Instagram post about Walter Mignolo
- Check out this Instagram post on the migrant crisis
- Read the article 'Acknowledgement, Apology, Recovery: The Dutch Kingdom Apologises for Slavery' published in Georgetown Journal of International Law.
Another book chapter and a journal article are expected to be published in the future. Workshops and conferences and textual disruptions will also be held.
Involved study programme
International and European Law
Project leader
Tamara N. Lewis Arredondo, Senior Lecturer/Researcher (t.n.lewis@hhs.nl)
Team
Jan Brochwicz – 2022-2023
Aban Ador 2023- present
More information
Want to know more about this topic? Take a look at the Citizenship Debates website.