Decolonizing Human Rights

This insightful work, Decolonizing Human Rights, redefines human rights through a people-centric lens, emphasizing empowerment and social change.

In Decolonizing Human Rights, the author advocates for a shift in the understanding of human rights from a state-centric model to one that prioritizes individual empowerment. This transformation emphasizes the importance of a people-centric approach, allowing communities to shape their own interpretations of human rights. The book is particularly relevant for legal educators, practicing lawyers, and students in social sciences, as well as scholars in sociology, political science, and international relations.

Professor Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim, through his extensive body of work, critically examines both the historical interpretations of Islamic Sharia and the neo-colonial perspectives on human rights. He argues for the universality of human rights, advocating for internal discourse within Islamic and African societies, as well as cross-cultural dialogues. This approach aims to promote social change and enhance the understanding of human rights as a collective responsibility rather than a top-down imposition.

Decolonizing Human Rights illustrates the vital role of human agency in driving change, challenging the notion that any society is inherently prone to political violence or instability. It seeks to empower individuals and communities to define how human rights are understood and integrated into their lives, while also contesting the idea of a Western monopoly on human rights discourse. Through this lens, the book provides a fresh perspective on the practical protection of human rights.