Comments on Rights

A Systems-Thinking Approach to Digital Accessibility as a Human Right in Higher Education

Introduction The expansion of digital platforms for accessing public services has made equal digital access a practical and ethical necessity. In response, the 2024 ADA Title II Web and Mobile Application Accessibility Rule mandates that state and local governments—as well as businesses and organizations that either do business with or receive funding from the federal government—comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards for websites and mobile applications. Public and private universities, which are governed by states or receive federal funds, fall under the scope of this rule. However, the specific obligations for educational institutions remain unclear, given the distinctive roles, […]

Behind the Throne

Wealth, Power, the State, and Human Rights Introduction This article examines the enduring and often misunderstood relationship between private wealth and political power, using the 2025 inauguration of President Donald Trump as a symbolic point of departure. The image of the world’s richest individuals standing behind the President reveals a timeless political truth: wealth may influence, but only the State truly governs. The essay argues that while modern billionaires such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg are frequently portrayed as the most powerful figures of the age, their fortunes remain contingent on the authority, stability, and legal frameworks […]

Unprecedented Decision–the United States refuses to review its human rights record

In a move with profound implications for the international human rights architecture, the United States has formally boycotted its scheduled Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva—marking only the second instance in the history of the UPR mechanism (established in 2008) that a state has refused to participate in its own peer review. This unprecedented decision—confirmed by the U.S. Mission in Geneva and enacted under President Donald Trump’s renewed administration—represents not merely procedural noncompliance, but a deliberate recalibration of U.S. foreign policy that positions human rights norms as dispensable instruments of diplomacy rather […]

The Principle of Change–The Pulse of Life in Systems Thinking

On Change Change is often misunderstood as the enemy of stability—a force that disrupts order, tradition, and social cohesion. Yet this notion is fundamentally mistaken. The world exists because it is driven by change. Change is not the adversary of stability but its precondition, the pulse of life that animates the universe. In the framework of systems thinking, change represents the continuous process of adaptation through which systems maintain viability and coherence in the face of internal and external pressures. Every stable system is not static but dynamic, sustained by feedback loops that balance renewal and continuity. We witness […]

The Boy Who Cried Human Rights

Once upon a time, there was a powerful boy named America who stood at the edge of the world and cried, “Human rights! Human rights!” And the world listened. He marched against dictators, helped rebuild nations after war, and spoke boldly at the United Nations about justice, freedom, and equality. When villages far away were crushed by tyranny, the boy sent food, medicine, and even soldiers, claiming to stand for what was right. He helped end apartheid in South Africa, stood up to ethnic cleansing in the Balkans, and told the world that no one was above human dignity. So, […]

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 […]

Perspectives on Human Rights

The foundational idea of human rights is the notion of rights. When the very existence of a being is dependent on other things, such a being may claim that they have the right to these things. For instance, the human being is dependent on breathable air (oxygen), therefore, no power in the world should delay, limit, or enumerate […]