The universal recognition of human rights has been often criticised for disregarding the reality and wealth of cultural diversity and the multiple interpretations of humanity and of basic needs. Moving beyond the philosophical question of whether anything can be apprehended as universal in our multicultural world, this panel discussion will focus on the legitimacy and the effectiveness of the multiplication of new rights. Panelists will debate on the necessity to reaffirm the distinctions between binding legal obligations on governments and broader issues of ethics, politics, and social change in order to “save” the current human rights regime.

Panelists:

Hurst Hannum, Professor of International Law at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

Felix Kirchmeier, Manager of Policy Studies, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Marco Sassòli, Director of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and Professor of International Law at the University of Geneva

Neus Torbisco Casals, Senior Researcher, Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, Graduate Institute

Moderator:

Christine Lutringer, Executive Director and Senior Researcher, Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, Graduate Institute

This event is organised in partnership between the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy.