Transnational Social Mobilisation and Minority Rights

This insightful exploration of minority groups highlights how Transnational Social Mobilisation and Minority Rights reshapes international protections and advocacy efforts.

This book delves into how minority groups worldwide are transforming the international minority rights protection system. It documents the efforts of four significant groups utilizing transnational social mobilization to gain recognition for their identities and rights. The outcome is an increased pluralism in global identity politics, leading to new group-specific standards that can guide policies on multiculturalism, political participation, and socio-economic inclusion at both national and international levels.

Beginning with an overview of the global movements of indigenous peoples and Roma, the narrative then shifts to a more in-depth examination of Afro-descendants in Latin America and Dalits and caste-affected groups in South Asia and beyond. Each case study highlights the historical foundations of group-specific transnational mobilization and illustrates how activists have crafted a unique identity frame based on shared experiences. The book further investigates the similarities and differences in discourse, framing strategies, organizational structures, and political opportunities across cases, shedding light on the factors that have influenced their successes or failures in norm entrepreneurship.

Special attention is given to the role of international institutions, including the UN, EU, and OAS, in supporting these movements. The UN World Conference Against Racism is particularly emphasized as a crucial political opportunity across the various cases. Transnational Social Mobilisation and Minority Rights will resonate with academic audiences researching minority rights, social movements, global governance, and related fields, as well as practitioners and activists engaged in the challenges of norm compliance and socio-economic inclusion.