Abstract: Politics is the main framework by which human rights are enforced both at the domestic and international level. At the domestic level, human rights may influence politics and democratization process through norm installing and behaviour change. It influences, at least, theoretically the way governments treat their citizens and those in political sphere. On the other hand, the nature of the political environment affects the enforcement and protection of human rights. When the political atmosphere is tight and closed, the enforcement of human rights would be in the side-lines. When the political environment is conducive, it would be amenable for human rights protection and enforcement.
States may adopt human rights for various reasons. The adoption of human rights, whether out of sincerity or cynically, induces norm and behaviour changes even for those states known for their human rights violations. Adoption of human rights as a show for international political diplomacy may ultimately bring an enduring change in political culture that embraces human rights.
At the international level, politics is almost the only means by which human rights are enforced. This is because there is no supra-national judicial body that adjudicates human rights violations. Moreover, the international response to human rights violations is through consultation, criticism and cooperation, and through use of force in some case. In addition to these, human rights issues are practically tied with economic, diplomatic and geopolitical interests at large. Hence, politics as a framework for human rights enforcement is much more important at the international level.
At both levels, the interactions between politics and human rights are two-directional. Both influence each other in different ways and degrees. The degree of politicization, however, differs significantly.
Title: Politics As A Framework For Human Rights Enforcement: The Domestic And International Perspectives,
Author: Dessalegn Adera Erikie
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3164 (online), ISSN 2348-3156 (Print)
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