Comments on Rights

The Foundation of All Rights

Freedom of Speech Abstract Freedom of speech, thought, and conscience constitute the cornerstone of all human rights. Without the capacity to articulate claims, challenge authority, and bring grievances into the public sphere, other rights remain inaccessible and unenforceable. Drawing on the ideas presented in Muslims and the Western Conception of Rights , this essay argues that freedom of speech must be understood relationally, within the dynamics of power. The protection of vulnerable voices is paramount, while the claims of those with systemic power must be subject to limitation. Historical precedents demonstrate that transformative change has been initiated by the speech […]

Added Value and Human Rights

Cocoa and the Economics of Global Inequity AbstractThe denial of “added value” lies at the core of global economic inequity and its human rights consequences. While underdeveloped countries supply the raw materials that fuel global industries, developed economies capture the real wealth by processing, branding, and selling finished goods. Cocoa is a striking example: West Africa produces most of the world’s cocoa beans, yet farmers earn poverty wages while multinational chocolate companies reap billions in profits. This inequity sustains child labor, denies the right to education, entrenches poverty, and fuels migration. International human rights law recognizes the rights to work, […]

The Genocide Scholars’ Resolution on Gaza–Implications for International Law and Western Legitimacy

On August 2025, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS)—the most authoritative academic body in the field of genocide studies—adopted a landmark resolution declaring that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide as defined under the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention. This resolution, endorsed by 86 percent of the world’s leading genocide scholars, represents a pivotal moment not only for international jurisprudence but also for the political credibility of Western governments that continue to deny the genocidal nature of Israel’s policies. The full resolution can be accessed here. The Authority of the IAGS Resolution The International Association of Genocide Scholars occupies […]

Volunteerism, Inequity, and the Right and Responsibility of Work

Volunteerism is often celebrated as altruistic, yet in unequal contexts it can both exploit unpaid labor and deny vulnerable individuals opportunities for paid work. This article argues that while the right to work is fundamental to dignity, work must also be understood as a responsibility: to sustain oneself, provide for dependents, and fulfill the human condition of becoming. When volunteerism substitutes for employment, it privileges those who can labor without pay while excluding those for whom work is a necessity, thereby reinforcing inequity and obscuring the deeper meaning of work as both right and responsibility. Volunteerism is often portrayed […]

The Algorithmic Erasure of Atrocity: AI, Politics, and the Struggle for Human Rights

Abstract: This article examines the intersection of artificial intelligence, political influence, and human rights, focusing on how large language models (LLMs) respond to allegations of mass atrocities such as the Uyghur genocide in China and the situation in Gaza. Drawing on documented instances—including the suspension of the Grok chatbot from X after citing credible human rights sources—the analysis reveals how AI platforms selectively avoid or dilute politically sensitive claims. This editorial decision-making is shaped not by the absence of evidence, but by the economic, legal, and geopolitical interests of the institutions that design and govern AI systems. The article argues […]

Introduction to Human Rights

The Wrongs that Made Rights Possible: From Rights to Human Rights

The concept of human rights has undergone a profound transformation over centuries, evolving from the notion of rights granted by royal decree and national constitutions to the declaration of universal rights most of which were eventually enshrined in international law in the form of treaties and conventions. This transition reflects both humanity’s growing understanding of […]

The Evolution of Adjudicating Human Rights Crimes

From Temporary Tribunals to the International Criminal Court The adjudication of human rights crimes has undergone a significant transformation over the past century, evolving from temporary, single-use tribunals to the establishment of a permanent international criminal court. This evolution reflects the international community’s growing commitment to accountability, justice, and the rule of law in addressing […]

The Development of Human Rights: From Hammurabi to the Universal Declaration

While the earliest appearance of the phrase “human rights” in written records can be traced back to the first half of the 19th century, the concept of “rights” as ethical and legal claims extends far beyond the modern era. Throughout history, organized societies with hierarchical governments have established norms and rules to protect life, […]

Sovereignty and Human Rights

Sovereignty is a fundamental concept in international relations and law, defining the authority of a state to govern itself without external interference. However, in the modern era, sovereignty is increasingly discussed in relation to human rights. This article explores the concept of sovereignty in the context of human rights and its significance in ensuring—or hindering—the […]