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8/13/2019 Human Rights in East Asia From a Margin of Appreciation Perspective

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Carlotta Fagioli (Student No. 11906456)

LW843: International u!an "ig#t$ La%&a''liation

*+N "I,-S IN +S- +SI+ F"/* + *+",IN /F +"CI+-I/N "SC-I

Introdution

+ll #u!an rig#t$ are uni2er$al indi2i$ile and interde'endent and

interrelated. -#e international o!!unit !u$t treat #u!an rig#t$ gloall

in a air and e7ual !anner on t#e $a!e ooting and %it# t#e $a!e e!'#a$i$.

W#ile t#e $igniiane o national and regional 'artiularitie$ and 2ariou$

#i$torial ultural and religiou$ aground$ !u$t e orne in !ind it i$ t#e

dut o State$ regardle$$ o t#eir 'olitial eono!i and ultural $$te!$ to

'ro!ote and 'rotet all #u!an rig#t$ and unda!ental reedo!$1.

-#e a!iguit o artile 5 o t#e 1993 ienna elaration and rogra!!e o +tion 'ro2ide$ a

2alid $u!!ar o t#e #eated deate %#i# arou$ed %it# regard to t#e e$tali$#!ent o uni2er$al

$tandard$ o #u!an rig#t$. I on t#e one #and We$tern a$$ertion$ o t#e nee$$it to 'ro2ide a

unior! 2ie% o t#e !atter re!ain 'o%erul on t#e ot#er non&We$tern de!and$ or t#e

introdution o a #ig#er le2el o leiilit in t#e taling o t#e 'role! #a2e inrea$ed in urgen.

-#e i$$ue i$ redited %it# 'ratial rele2ane %it# regard to t#e all or legiti!a o a non&

traditional a''roa# to #u!an rig#t$ 'ut or%ard +$ian leader$ in t#e la$t deade$.

-#i$ e$$a %ill argue t#at %#ile no one$$ion$ !u$t e gi2en to t#e 'olitial e'loitation o

#u!an rig#t$ in t#e international $truggle et%een o''o$ite eono!i $$te!$ it !a e %ort#

%elo!ing $o!e o t#e all$ or t#e u$e o a #ig#er le2el o leiilit t#e international ;udiial

odie$ in t#e in2e$tigation 'roedure$. In ot#er %ord$ it i$ de$irale to a2oid i!'o$ing eternal

ultural 'aradig!$ on an ountr indi$ri!inatel %it#out taing into aount t#e 'o$iti2e

ontriution a !ediation t#roug# t#e loal #i$torial and ultural #eritage %ould !ae.

-o egin %it# t#i$ e$$a atte!'t$ to retrae riel t#e #i$torial origin$ o t#e deate on t#e

a''arent antit#e$i$ et%een We$tern and +$ian 2alue$ 'ro2iding an outline o t#e ontet %it#in

%#i# t#e di$'ute aro$e. -#e $eond 'art %ill deal %it# t#e !a;or rationale$ 'ro2ided or and

again$t t#e ad!i$$iilit o an +$ian a''roa# to #u!an rig#t$ and %it# t#e %ider ra!e%or %#i#

eno!'a$$e$ t#e deate t#at i$ to $a t#e long&ti!e ontro2er$ et%een uni2er$ali$! and ultural

relati2i$!. La$tl t#e inal $etion o t#e e$$a %ill ou$ on t#e !argin o a''reiation dotrine

1 nited Nation$ World Conference on Human Rights art. 5 ienna 14&


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elaorated t#e ;uri$'rudene o t#e uro'ean Court o u!an "ig#t$ and on it$ 'o$$iilit o

$er2ing a$ an in$tru!ent to grant $tate$ a #ig#er range o di$retion and to ailitate t#e $trea!lining

o t#e in2e$tigation 'roedure.

-#e 2er one't o @#u!an rig#t$A i$ %idel deated and #a$ oten een grounded in t#e one o

@#u!an natureA. -#e ad2oa o $u# orrelation o learl We$tern origin #a$ ailed to tae into

aount t#e dna!i 'roe$$ re're$ented #i$torial ultural and eono!i de2elo'!ent: t#i$

deiien i$ one o t#e !ain rea$on$ %# t#e traditional one'tion o #u!an rig#t$ #a$ een

7ue$tioned.

I.

a. The context.

u!an rig#t$ alt#oug# en;oing a 2er long and turulent #i$tor #a2e on$tantl ar2ed out a

!eaningul role or t#e!$el2e$ in t#e gloal 'olitial agenda at lea$t $ine 1948 %#en t#e

international o!!unit elaorated t#e ni2er$al elaration o u!an "ig#t$. In onte!'orar

$oial and 'olitial deate old and ne% international attain!ent$ are in2oed to o''o$e to or to #o'e

or go2ern!ent inter2ention in order to deend a 2a$t 2ariet o 2alue$ and intere$t$ and to $u''ort

a %ide range o !oral one'tion$. It i$ in t#i$ ontet t#at t#e etre!el ontro2er$ial deate on

t#e $o alled @+$ian 2alue$A ari$e$ 'ro2iding t#e t#eoretial $u$trate or t#e di$u$$ion onerning

an artiulated and o!'le $$te! o $oial and ultural 2alue$ %#i# aording to a $iBeale

nu!er o $#olar$ are to e ounter'o$ed to t#e el$e%#ere 're2ailing We$tern 'rini'le$. Su#

!atter o ontention reer$ to t#e ontro2er$ial i$$ue o t#e 'otential uni2er$alit o #u!an rig#t$

alt#oug# ultural dierene$ an ea$il e deteted.

-#e deate onerning t#e @+$ian 2alue$A tae$ 'lae ot# out$ide and in$ide +$ia it$el

e$'eiall in o''o$ition to t#o$e %#i# are identiied and 'erei2ed a$ @We$tern 2alue$A ut it'rini'all gain$ rele2ane %it# regard to t#e %ider !atter onerning t#e indi2iduation o !utual

dutie$ et%een $tate$ and itiBen$ #ig#l inluening t#e di$u$$ion on t#e $aeguard o t#e

indi2idual and t#e oligation$ $tate$ #a2e to ulil. +$ a !atter o at a$ 'ro!'tl noted a$#

,#ai in #i$ anal$i$ o +$ian 2ie%$ on de!ora and #u!an rig#t$ D$o!e go2ern!ent$ #a2e 'ut

or%ard t#e argu!ent t#at t#e ultural !atri %it#in %#i# relation$ et%een indi2idual$ and t#e

$tate are e!edded are unda!entall dierent in +$ia ro! t#at in t#e We$t


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$#ar'l identi t#e %#ole entiret o t#eir #uge and #eterogeneou$ 'o'ulation.

Ne2ert#ele$$ it oug#t to e orne in !ind t#at lingering on $i!ilar re!ar$ an e a$olutel

!i$leading and dee'ti2e. E eaerating $u# o'inion$ one !a !i$taenl a$$u!e t#at t#ere i$

onl one urrent o t#oug#t %#i# an e on$idered a$ re're$entati2e o t#e entire +$ian region

t#at i$ to $a t#e o!!onl $#ared 2ie% %#i# e!'#a$i$e$ t#e role o entral aut#orit and %#i#

2alue$ t#e e$tali$#!ent o an eeti2e and eiient go2ern!ent rat#er t#an t#e a#ie2e!ent o t#e

indi2idual liertie$ 'rioritiBed We$tern $oietie$3. Indeed a$ $ugge$ted -ania ,ro''i

/rdinar roe$$or o uli La% at t#e ni2er$it o Siena unlie %#at ourred in ot#er 'art$ o

t#e %orld international #u!an rig#t$ la% #a$ not ull ontriuted to t#e introdution o $o!e

ele!ent$ o regional #o!ogeneou$ne$$ in +$ia: it #a$ een o$er2ed t#at t#e tenden to%ard$ t#e

indi2iduation o regional $tandard$ %#i# #a$ 'rodued #ig#l $igniiant re$ult$ in ot#er are$ (e.g.t#e +rian C#arter o u!an "ig#t$) #a$ $o!e#o% 'a$$ed t#e a$tern territorie$ 4. -#ereore

one annot a2oid agreeing %it# +!arta SenD$ a$$u!'tion t#at t#e te!'tation to on$ider +$ia a$ a

$tati and !onolit#i entit atuall re2eal$ a 'er$'eti2e %#i# an ea$il e identiied a$ euro&

entri5.

Not%it#$tanding %#at #a$ een $aid ao2e it i$ diiult not to detet t#at a 'rolii deate

onerning t#e o!'atiilit o #u!an rig#t$ %it# indeter!inate @+$ian 2alue$A #a$ een arried

out or $e2eral ear$ $o ar. o%e2er it i$ i!'ortant to 'roeed %it# etre!e aution %#en

e'loring $u# a !atter o ontention or it #a$ een uilding t#e oundation$ or t#e !a;or

a$$u!'tion$ 'ut or%ard in t#e ;u$tiiation o aut#oritarian regi!e$ and $$te!ati 2iolation$ o

#u!an rig#t$. /n t#e ot#er #and a$ 'ro'o$ed aniel Eell in t#e late 1990$ Ddi$tinti2e a$t

+$ian one'tion$ o 2ital #u!an intere$t$ !a indeedG ;u$ti $o!e 'olitial 'ratie$ t#at dier

to $o!e etent ro! #u!an rig#t$ regi!e$ t'iall endor$ed in We$tern ountrie$D6. -#u$ a$ %e

an ea$il notie t#e deate i$ etre!el ri# and ontro2er$ial and it #a$ to e taled ro!

dierent 'er$'eti2e$. I a! no% going to introdue t#e !ain 'oint$ at i$$ue and to retrae riel

t#e origin$ o t#e di$'ute.

b. The origins and the nature of the debate.

3 Lee Huan e% in $'ee# entitled @e!ora u!an "ig#t$ and t#e "ealitie$A (S'ee# to -#e Create


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-#e e're$$ion @+$ian 2alue$A %a$ oined at t#e end o t#e 1980$ and %a$ a$ried to t#e t#en

ri!e *ini$ter o Singa'ore Lee Huan e% it %a$ t#en ado'ted e$'eiall t#roug#out t#e 1990$

$e2eral ot#er +$ian leader$ t#e *ala$ian ri!e *ini$ter *a#at#ir to !ention ;u$t one. It i$

generall reogniBed t#at t#e $'read o $u# a urrent o t#oug#t rea#ed it$ a'e during t#e 1993

nited Nation$ Conerene on u!an "ig#t$ in ienna?

%#o$e 'rogra! o ation %a$ dra%n u'

!aing reerene to t#e rea!le o t#e nited Nation C#arter in 'artiular to t#e intention o

reair!ing t#e allegiane to t#e dignit and t#e 2alue o t#e #u!an eing and to unda!ental

#u!an rig#t$ %#i# are to e attriuted e7uall and regardle$$ o gender and nationalit 8. In order

to o!'re#end t#e gi$t o t#e !atter it i$ unda!ental to ear in !ind t#at t#e aore!entioned

Conerene %a$ 'reeded a #eated deate %#i# on$titute$ a 'reedent ad2oate$ o o''o$ite

t#eorie$ %#o den reognition to 'an&+$ian 2alue$ annot $i!'l ignore. Indeed $u# a deate i$

not iru!$ried to lai!$ ro! 'art leader$ or to aade!i artile$ ut it #a$ ound it$or!ali$ation in a $'eii 'olitial dou!ent t#e $o&alled @Eango elarationA %#i# %a$

ado'ted in 1993 t#e re're$entati2e$ o t#irt&our ountrie$ in 're'aration to t#e u'o!ing

ienna Conerene. I on t#e one #and $u# a tet an e $een a$ an ae'tane o #u!an rig#t$

a$ %ell a$ t#eir uni2er$alit on t#e ot#er t#e nee$$it to tae into aount $e2eral or!$ o ultural

$'eiiitie$ i$ learl air!ed reogniBing t#at e2en t#oug# #u!an rig#t$ are endo%ed %it#

$o!e uni2er$alit eature$ t#e #a2e to e on$idered a$ a dna!i 'roe$$ in a ontet o on$tant

nor!ati2e de2elo'!ent9. Eearing in !ind t#e $igniian o national and regional #arateri$ti$

and realling $e2eral ti!e$ t#e rele2ane o t#e deene o national $o2ereignt a entral role in t#e

ad!ini$tration o #u!an rig#t$ #a$ to e 'laed t#e $tate t#ereore lea2ing little roo! or

international inter2ention and t#e reation o regional o!'laint !e#ani$!$10.

-#e a$$ertion$ 'ut or%ard t#e +$ian leader$ #a2e ontriuted to 'ut a largel $#ared lieral

2ie% in a diiult 'o$ition t#at i$ to $a t#e idea t#at t#ere i$ a $ort o @$trutural orre$'ondeneA

et%een t#e de2elo'!ent o t#e a'itali$ti !aret on t#e eono!i $ide and t#e ri$e o lieral

de!ora on t#e 'olitial one11 t#i$ i$ ea$il notieale i %e ;u$t tae a loo at t#e 'rodigiou$

eono!i de2elo'!ent %#i# #a$ aeted t#e Sout#&a$tern region$ o +$ia o2er t#e la$t deade$.

Follo%ing ro! %#at #a$ een $aid +$ian tradition i$ on$idered ino!'atile %it# #u!an rig#t$ o

We$tern !atri %#i# are ounded u'on indi2iduali$!: a$ a !atter o at it a2our$ t#e dutie$ o

? Haren ngle @Culture and u!an "ig#t$: t#e +$ian 2alue$ deate in ontetA(. ). *. Journal of #nternational

Law and +olitics 3< (1999&


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t#e indi2idual$ %it# regard to t#e o!!unit rat#er t#an t#eir rig#t$ !ore $'eiiall olleti2e

rig#t$ 're2ail u'on indi2idual liertie$. Wit# t#i$ $ort o #ierar#ial $truture ultural and $oial

olleti2e rig#t$ $u# a$ t#e rig#t to de2elo'!ent o t#e nation 're2ail u'on 'ri2ate indi2idual

reedo! $u# a$ t#e rig#t to 'artii'ate t#e 'olitial lie o t#e ountr. +$ $tated Liu ua7iu

ead o t#e C#ine$e elegation to t#e ienna Conerene o 1993 t#e one't o #u!an rig#t$ i$

elie2ed $e2eral a$t&+$ian go2ern!ent to e onl a !ere 'rodut o t#e #i$torial de2elo'!ent

and t#e eono!i and 'olitial ondition$ o a ountr. -#ereore one $#ould not on$ider t#e

'attern indiated a grou' o ountrie$ a$ t#e onl a''ro'riate one and ad2oate a general

onor!ation to it1


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!oral oligation o t#e o!!unit %#i# a$rie$ rig#t$ to t#e indi2idual. "elati2i$t$ a$e t#eir

lai!$ on t#e a$$u!'tion t#at #u!an rig#t$ 'lae t#e indi2idual ao2e t#e o!!unit and ind t#i$

unae'tale in non&We$tern ountrie$. +tuall it #a$ oten een $ugge$ted t#at $e2eral rig#t$

a''ear to e !eaningle$$ i inter'reted a$ rig#t$ o t#e indi2idual again$t t#e o!!unit or

regardle$$ o it. er$onal liertie$ are a$ried to t#e indi2idual in order to 'rotet t#e unda!ental

2alue$ o t#e o!!unit and to enourage in2ol2e!ent in it$ lie 14. -#u$ or in$tane reedo! o

religion i$ not nee$$ar in order to allo% t#e indi2idual to 'ra #i$ ,od in 'ri2ate ut to allo%

large grou'$ o 'eo'le %#o $#are t#e $a!e elie$ to !eet in a 'uli 'lae %it#out an intru$ion

t#e go2ern!ent or ot#er$ %#o 'roe$$ a dierent religion.

+$$u!ing t#e ei$tene o a lo$e ond et%een indi2idual$ and $oiet it i$ lear t#at

traditional 2ie%$ on #u!an rig#t$ do not 'ut or%ard a #ierar#ial or!ali$ation o it: 2er $i!'l

t#e role o t#e grou' i$ li!ited to t#e $aeguard and t#e realiBation o t#e intere$t$ o it$ !e!er$%#o are t#en 'roteted again$t t#e au$e o oeri2e 'o%er$ t#e aut#oritie$. u!an rig#t$

on$titute t#en a li!ited nu!er o ee'tion$ to t#e 'rini'le o $o2ereignt K %#i# #a$

on$tantl een realled +$ian leader$ in t#eir lai!$ o 2iolation$ o t#e N C#arter15& and not

a or! o $uordination o o!!unit to indi2idual$. Fro! t#i$ 'oint o 2ie% #u!an rig#t$ re$ult

o!'atile %it# !o$t o non&We$tern '#ilo$o'#ie$ a$ long a$ t#e are not intended a$ a

Ddi$i'linar i2iliBing !i$$ion o uro'eD16.

Criti$ o t#e notion o +$ian 2alue$ 'ut or%ard nu!erou$ argu!ent$. "egardle$$ to t#e eat

identiiation o t#e$e 2alue$ t#eir ultural and religiou$ oundation i$ on$ideral di$'utale. In

at it i$ ea$il detetale t#at t#e reerene$ to Conuiani$! Eudd#i$! and indui$! lead t#e

di$u$$ion to a #ig# le2el o a$tration on$idering t#e large nu!er o 'euliaritie$ %#i#

#arateriBe dierent area$ o t#e ontinent. In t#i$ %a !an region %ould e negleted $u#

on$ideration$: Cat#oli #ili''ine$ or I$la!i *ala$ia and Indone$ia %ould not $ee! to !eet t#e

re7uire!ent$ to 7uali a$ +$ian 2alue$ ad2oate$. Furt#er!ore $e2eral We$tern t#iner$ #a2e

o$er2ed t#at +$ian 2alue$ en#aning t#e on$er2ati2e 'redo!inane o a!il o!!unit and

$oiet on indi2idual$ a2our t#e eono!i de2elo'!ent o a ountr to t#e detri!ent o t#e

a#ie2e!ent o 'olitial a%arene$$ and i2i re$'on$iilit. -#ereore t#e an e ea$il

on$idered a$ t'ial o a $$te! %#i# 'lae$ eono!i de2elo'!ent ao2e e2ert#ing and ind in

t#e! a $oure o ;u$tiiation or it$ ureaura and trann. /n t#e ot#er #and #ig#l de2elo'ed

14 Witor /$iatn$i @ni2er$alit dei diritti u!aniAi1ionario dei diritti umani *tet (a2ailale at#tt':>>dirittiu!ani.utet.it>dirittiu!ani>re2iarioMdirittiMu!ani.;$'2Ouni2er$alitaMdeiMdirittiMu!aniPa'O


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ountrie$ $u# a$ Singa'ore a$e t#e legiti!a o t#eir 2iolation$ o $o!e traditional liertie$ on

t#e a$$ertion t#at t#eir urrent le2el o eono!i 'ro$'erit #a$ een a#ie2ed in a$ene o $u#

one$$ion$ on #u!an rig#t$ t#u$ 'ro'o$ing t#e!$el2e$ a$ a !odel or ot#er +$ian nation$1?.

-raditional #u!an rig#t$ #a2e oten een 'erei2ed a$ a or! o ultural #ege!on an

i!'o$ition We$tern ountrie$ on t#e re$t o t#e %orld. +tuall t#i$ an e on$idered true to a

ertain etent: alt#oug# eing a good o!'ro!i$e et%een dierent ideologie$ and tradition$ t#e

ni2er$al elaration o u!an "ig#t$ %a$ indeed t#e 'rodution o a li!ited grou' o ountrie$

a$ t#e !a;orit o +$ian and +rian ountrie$ %ere not et re're$ented in t#e nited Nation$ in

1948. o%e2er a$ #ig#lig#ted =a onnell it i$ true t#at D#u!an rig#t$ initiall e!erged in

uro'e not eau$e o $u'erior We$tern 2irtue or in$ig#t ut eau$e or etter or %or$e !odern

$tate$ and a'itali$! ir$t a''ear t#ere. QG W#ate2er a''liailit K or ina''liailit K

internationall reogniBed #u!an rig#t$ #a2e i$ inde'endent o t#eir 'lae o originD

18

.

$'eiall during t#e 1990$ t#e deate on #u!an rig#t$ #a$ dra%n t#e attention o $e2eral

'olitial leader$ and $#olar$ re7uentl eo!ing rat#er #eated and in2ol2ing t#e u$age o

o!ati2e 'uli r#etori19. It eo!e$ e2en !ore ontro2er$ial i %e $ituate it in t#e ontet o t#e

enturie$&old antit#e$i$ et%een uni2er$ali$! and ultural relati2i$!.

b. *ni!ersalism !s. Relati!ism

Fro! t#e lieral tradition 'er$'eti2e t#e e're$$ion @#u!an rig#t$A %a$ intended to !ean an

etended $et o rig#t$ %#i# are to e attriuted to e2er !an and %o!an regardle$$ o t#e degree

o ano%ledge!ent guaranteed t#e $tate. In ot#er %ord$ t#e ei$tene o t#i$ t'e o rig#t$ i$

not a$ed on #u!an aut#orit %#ate2er it$ $oure i$ ut on #u!an nature it$el a$ #u!an nature i$

on$idered e7ual or e2er 'er$on $o oug#t to e $u# rig#t$ %#i# are a$ried to all !en and

%o!en indierentl: t#at i$ to $a t#e are a$ uni2er$al a$ #u!an nature


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a''ro'riate 'lae o di$u$$ion or $u# a o!'le and %idel deated ontro2er$. o%e2er a e%

guideline$ an e 'ro2ided in order to lari t#e !ain eature$ %#i# #arateriBe t#e !atter o

ontention.

/ne o t#e ir$t atta$ to t#e lieral one'tion o rig#t$ %a$ arried out during t#e 19?0$ t#e

$oiali$t $tate$ %#i# %ere u'#olding t#e nee$$it o gi2ing 'riorit to t#e i!'le!entation o

$oial and ultural rig#t$ rat#er t#en to i2il and 'olitial liertie$. -#e a$ed t#eir a$$ertion$ on

t#e a$$u!'tion o a $trutural orrelation et%een rig#t$ and dutie$ going a$ ar a$ lai!ing t#at t#e

indi2idual an e la%ull de'ri2ed o #i$ rig#t$ i #i$ oligation$ to%ard$ t#e $oiet are not

ulilled. Su$e7uentl t#e$e on2ition$ ea!e t#e ulru! o t#e riti7ue to t#e uni2er$alit o

#u!an rig#t$. Indeed t#e notion o #u!an rig#t$ doe$ not #el' to $ol2e t#e !a;or 'role!$

e'eriened de2elo'ing $oietie$ atuall aording to a !ore radial inter'retation it anre$ult in ontra$ting t#e attain!ent o t#e unda!ental goal$ 'ur$ued $u# ountrie$. -#e$e idea$

#a2e een ull e!raed t#e ad2oate$ o t#e +$ian 2alue$: aording to t#e! t#e do!inant

$$te! o 2alue$ in +$ia #a$ !ore to do %it# order and di$i'line t#an %it# indi2idual reedo!.

Cultural relati2i$! #a$ oten $er2ed a$ an in$tru!ent or aut#oritarian regi!e$ to ;u$ti t#e

o''re$$ion o large 'ortion$ o t#e 'o'ulation %#erea$ on t#e ot#er #and t#e !a;orit o +$ian

N,/$ are ir! in t#eir elie in t#e uni2er$alit o #u!an rig#t$


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in$tru!ent to enourage dialogue and o!'ro!i$e et%een dierent $oietie$ $u# one'tion #a$

toda eo!e an e're$$ion o di2ergene eaerating t#e ten$ion$ et%een ulturall dierent

%orld$. /ne 'o$$ile $olution %ould t#en e tring to 'rotet uni2er$al #u!an rig#t$ %it#out

de!anding t#e a#ie2e!ent o a unani!ou$ o'inion on t#e idea o t#e!


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ideall e deined t%o dierent riteria: ;udiial reerene and nor!ati2e leiilit


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+$ it #a$ een #ig#lig#ted ao2e t#e deate on t#e legiti!a o an +$ian a''roa# to #u!an

rig#t$ #a$ een uelled t#e de!anding o a rig#t to ultural $oial religiou$ and eono!i

di2er$it. +$ t#e uro'ean Court o u!an "ig#t$ in t#e Hand'side Case00 lai!ed t#at %it#

regard to t#e $u$idiarit 'rini'le deteting t#e a''ro'riate notion o !oralit to $aeguard i$ a

o!'etene o t#e $tate $o to a roader etent deining t#e intere$t$ o t#e national o!!unit

$#ould elong to t#e $a!e 'ro2ine. Furt#er!ore anot#er rea$on to 're2ent t#e i!'o$ition on t#e

re$t o t#e %orld o #u!an rig#t $tandard$ elaorated onl a re$trited nu!er o $tate$ i$ t#e at

t#at one taing into aount t#e great di2er$it o t#e 2ariou$ national legal $$te!$ annot

rea$onal e'et to ind a unior! one'tion o t#e idea$ and t#e '#ilo$o'#ie$ %#i# re2ol2e

around t#e goal$ 'ur$ued international #u!an rig#t$ treatie$. -#ereore 'ro'o$ing a

$u$tanti2e one't o t#e !argin o a''reiation dotrine34 e2en t#e deliate i$$ue re're$ented

t#e relation$#i' et%een indi2idual liertie$ and olleti2e rig#t$ an e addre$$ed. -#roug# t#i$inter'retation t#e $tate$ ado'ting !ea$ure$ %#i# $o!e#o% interere %it# indi2idual liertie$ an

ind a or!al and dotrinal ;u$tiiation to t#eir o'erate 'ro2iding t#at t#e !ea$ure$ at $tae are not

e're$$ion$ o gro$$ 2iolation$ o #u!an rig#t$. -#u$ in lig#t o %#at #a$ een $aid $o ar it $ee!$

rea$onale to argue t#at t#e one't o t#e !argin o a''reiation ould e o $o!e $u''ort to t#e

t#e$i$ deended t#e ad2oate$ o t#e +$ian 2alue$. /2iou$l $u# a 2ie% i$ not to e inter'reted

a$ an eu$e to 'er'etuate aut#oritarian 'oliie$ or to neglet rig#t$ %#i# are %idel reogniBed

t#e !a;orit o ountrie$ and %#o$e 2iolation #a$ little i ant#ing to do %it# $oial and ultural

di2er$it it i$ in$tead a u$eul tool to redit dierent modus operandi %it#out under!ining t#e

intrin$i 2alue o t#e rig#t$ 'roteted. *oreo2er a$$u!ing t#at it i$ urrentl 2er unliel to

e$tali$# a unior! and $tandardiBed $$te! K e2en t#oug# it !a %ell re!ain a goal o t#e

international o!!unit or t#e uture K ado'ting $u# an a''roa# %ould 'roal entail a

re!arale $trea!lining o t#e in2e$tigation 'roedure$.

C/NCLSI/N

-#e ent#u$ia$! arou$ed t#e 'rola!ation o t#e ni2er$al elaration o u!an "ig#t$ in

1948 turned out to e relati2el %ea and e'#e!eral a on$tantl inrea$ing nu!er o negati2e

o'inion$ on t#e 'o$$iilit to re$tore it ull i$ 'ut or%ard no%ada$. -#e rea$on&a$ed 2ie%$

onei2ed in t#e 1940$ #a2e een re'laed a !ore o!'le $et o idea$ %#i# on2e t#e

i!'re$$ion t#at #u!an rig#t$ are no% onl a !ere 'olitial in$tru!ent in t#e #and o We$tern

ountrie$. -#i$ #a$ lead nu!erou$ t#iner$ to elie2e t#at on$ent on t#e one'tion o #u!an

33 Hand'side ! *nited Kingdom% (5493>?


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rig#t$ i$ o!'ro!i$ed to $u# an etent t#at it annot e re$tored an !ore. -#e 'oint I #a2e een

tring to $tre$$ in t#i$ e$$a i$ t#at #u!an rig#t$ an e o$er2ed e2en in a$ene o $u# on$ent

a$ long a$ t#e di$tintion et%een t#e uni2er$alit o #u!an rig#t$ and t#e uni2er$alit o t#e

one'tion o t#e! re!ain$ lear. Indeed $u# one'tion i!'lie$ t#e entiret o t#e a$$u!'tion$

on t#e nature o t#e $oiet and on t#e relation$#i' et%een t#e $tate and it$ itiBen$ %#ile t#e

notion o #u!an rig#t$ in$tead reer$ to a $et o e#a2ioural nor!$ %#i# $#ould e o$er2ed e2en

t#o$e %#o do not agree %it# t#e ao2e '#ilo$o'#. -o !ae a 'ratial ea!'le t#e are $i!ilar

to t#e nor!$ o a ri!inal ode %#i# are to e ollo%ed e2en %#en in di$agree!ent %it# t#e

'#ilo$o'#ial a$$u!'tion$ on t#e a$i$ o it35.

+d2oating t#e uni2er$alit o #u!an rig#t$ doe$ not !ean ae'ting t#e i!'o$ition o a

$tandardi$ed ultural !odel it atuall onl t#e air!ation o t#e ei$tene o ertain unda!ental

#u!an rig#t$ %#o$e 2iolation an go2ern!ent !u$t not e tolerated. It i$ t#en t#e deinition ot#i$ $et o rig#t %#i# an e o;et o di$u$$ion alt#oug# no deate ould ;u$ti gro$$ 2iolation

o #u!an rig#t$ o!!itted go2ern!ent$ in t#e na!e o ultural di2er$it. -#ereore it i$

de$irale to ou$ interultural on$ent on %ell deter!ined rig#t$ in order to a2oid t#e ari$ing o

di$'ute$ on 2er $'eii nor!$ %#i# !a e onte$ted $ingle ulture$. -#i$ i$ t#e ontet

%#ere roo! or urt#er de2elo'!ent o t#e !argin o a''reiation dotrine an e ound a$ it i$ an

in$tru!ent or 're$er2ing ultural di2er$it and ri#ne$$ %it#out under!ining t#e 'erei2ed airne$$

o t#e international ;udiial odie$ o'erate and t#e ulti!ate 2alue o #u!an rig#t$. La$tl it i$

on2enient to re!e!er t#at t#ere i$ a dierene et%een 2iolation$ o #u!an rig#t$ in

aut#oritarian regi!e$ and 2iolation$ o #u!an rig#t$ in traditional ulture$. nder t#e latter

iru!$tane$ $u# 2iolation$ an atuall ind a ertain degree o legiti!a e2en a #ig# one

$o!eti!e$: t#e ad2oate$ o @uni2er$alA #u!an rig#t$ !a e au$ed t#e o!!unit o t#e

2iolation o t#e! a$ t#i$ i$ a liel outo!e %#en a ultural alteration i$ 'ro'o$ed. -#ereore

'riorit i$ to e gi2en to t#e all or t#e i!'le!entation o #u!an rig#t$ !e#ani$!$ %it#in

ountrie$ ruled trannie$ and aut#oritarian regi!e$ and to t#e $truggle again$t t#e e'loitation o

t#e! in t#e international 'olitial deate.

35 Witor /$iatn$i @ni2er$alit dei diritti u!aniA.


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"F"NCS

2onographs

Eauer =oanne ". and Eell aniel +. The "ast7$sian Challenge for Human Rights Ca!ridge

Ca!ridge ni2er$it re$$ 1999.

Eell aniel +."ast meets West rineton rineton ni2er$it re$$


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"uropean Journal of #nternational Law 16 5 (?