Week 1
The Interdisciplinarity of Human Rights_Abdullahi A. An-Na’im
Subject of the chapter =
The interdisciplinarity of the study of human rights, NOT the rights themselves.
According to Abdullahi the study of all aspects of human rights should be for the
purpose of informing and facilitating the practical implementation of these rights,
rather than as a purely academic exercise.
The title of this chapter raises questions about the relationship among disciplinarity,
multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity, that is, how are these concepts related yet
different, and what each of them means for the study of human rights in ways that
are conducive to effective and sustainable implementation of these norms around
the world.
Abdullahi believes in the necessity and possibility of the universality of human rights,
the inquiry would be about what does this belief mean and require, whether in
theoretical or conceptual terms, or as a matter of political, legal and cultural practice.
The basic argument in the chapter is =
Interdisciplinarity is integral to human rights at a conceptual as well as a practical
level in defining and implementing human rights norms.
The paradox and contingency (=toevalligheid) of human rights
___________________________________________________________________
Week 2
Bamako - Abderrahmane Sissako
The film is set in Bamako, the capital of Mali, and follows the stories of several
people who gather in a courtyard, where a symbolic trial is held against international
institutions and the impact of globalization on Africa. The film blends
documentary-like elements with fiction and addresses themes such as poverty,
colonialism, and the consequences of economic and political structures on African
society. It offers a critical commentary on the role of international institutions in
Africa's economic underdevelopment and explores the social and political challenges
faced by people in Mali.
,Involved Institutions and Actors
❖ Judges: The judges in the film are local Malian figures who do not have
formal legal authority in the international context but take on the role of
adjudicators to condemn the international institutions. They represent the
voice of the ordinary African and are often knowledgeable in local experiences
and contexts.
❖ Lawyers and Prosecutors: In the trial, lawyers and prosecutors play a role in
presenting arguments and evidence against the international institutions.
Their role highlights the contradictions and injustices they experience in their
efforts to address the interests of the African population.
❖ Witnesses: Witnesses in the film are ordinary people who share their
personal stories and experiences about the negative impact of globalization
and international economic policies on their lives. They bring a human
dimension to the trial and illustrate the concrete consequences of policy
decisions and international power structures.
Relationship Between the Trial and Society
❖ Critique of International Institutions: The trial targets international
institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank, which, according to the film,
are held responsible for economic injustices and mismanagement that
negatively affect Malian society. This reflects the broader dissatisfaction and
frustration of the local population regarding the negative impact of
globalization and international economic policies on their daily lives.
❖ Political and Social Engagement: The trial in Bamako serves as a form of
political protest and civic participation. It provides a platform for the local
population to express their dissatisfaction and participate in a symbolic
struggle against powerful international institutions. This mirrors broader social
and political movements that aim to address the impact of global economic
systems and demand reforms.
Which Human Rights Are Addressed?
➢ Right to decent living conditions
➢ Right to development (education)
➢ Right to participation
➢ Right to fair treatment
➢ Equal treatment and non-discrimination
, Decolonial Thinking and the Quest for Decolonising Human
Rights - José-Manuel Barreto
José-Manuel Barreto explores how decolonial theories can contribute to a
reinterpretation and reform of human rights concepts. Barreto argues that the current
human rights framework is deeply rooted in Western values and perspectives, which
often ignore or suppress the colonial and postcolonial histories of other societies.
Some key points from the text include:
❖ Critique of Western Dominance: Barreto emphasizes that the current
human rights framework often reflects Western norms and values, which can
lead to the marginalization of non-Western perspectives. This implies a
colonial legacy that influences how human rights are defined and applied.
❖ Decolonial Theory: The article uses decolonial theories to advocate for a
rethinking of human rights. These theories criticize the universal claims of
Western frameworks and call for the recognition of diverse ways of thinking
and being.
❖ Diversity and Inclusion: Barreto advocates for a more inclusive approach
that considers the cultural and historical contexts of different communities.
This means not only a theoretical revision but also practical steps to address
the experiences and needs of various groups.
❖ Redefining Human Rights: The text suggests that there is a need to redefine
human rights in a way that acknowledges the plurality of human experiences
and justice, integrating decolonial insights.
The central idea is that a decolonial approach to human rights can contribute to a
more just and inclusive world order by challenging Western hegemony and making
space for diverse perspectives and experiences.
___________________________________________________________________
Week 3
What Are Human Rights? Four Schools of
Thought_Marie-Bénédicte Dembour
Different people hold different concepts of human rights. There is in practice a lack of
agreement on what human rights are. There are four schools of thought on human
rights:
1) Natural scholars → think that human rights are given;
2) Deliberative scholars → think that human rights are agreed upon;
3) Protest scholars → think that human rights are fought for;
4) Discourse scholars → think that human rights are talked about.
The Interdisciplinarity of Human Rights_Abdullahi A. An-Na’im
Subject of the chapter =
The interdisciplinarity of the study of human rights, NOT the rights themselves.
According to Abdullahi the study of all aspects of human rights should be for the
purpose of informing and facilitating the practical implementation of these rights,
rather than as a purely academic exercise.
The title of this chapter raises questions about the relationship among disciplinarity,
multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity, that is, how are these concepts related yet
different, and what each of them means for the study of human rights in ways that
are conducive to effective and sustainable implementation of these norms around
the world.
Abdullahi believes in the necessity and possibility of the universality of human rights,
the inquiry would be about what does this belief mean and require, whether in
theoretical or conceptual terms, or as a matter of political, legal and cultural practice.
The basic argument in the chapter is =
Interdisciplinarity is integral to human rights at a conceptual as well as a practical
level in defining and implementing human rights norms.
The paradox and contingency (=toevalligheid) of human rights
___________________________________________________________________
Week 2
Bamako - Abderrahmane Sissako
The film is set in Bamako, the capital of Mali, and follows the stories of several
people who gather in a courtyard, where a symbolic trial is held against international
institutions and the impact of globalization on Africa. The film blends
documentary-like elements with fiction and addresses themes such as poverty,
colonialism, and the consequences of economic and political structures on African
society. It offers a critical commentary on the role of international institutions in
Africa's economic underdevelopment and explores the social and political challenges
faced by people in Mali.
,Involved Institutions and Actors
❖ Judges: The judges in the film are local Malian figures who do not have
formal legal authority in the international context but take on the role of
adjudicators to condemn the international institutions. They represent the
voice of the ordinary African and are often knowledgeable in local experiences
and contexts.
❖ Lawyers and Prosecutors: In the trial, lawyers and prosecutors play a role in
presenting arguments and evidence against the international institutions.
Their role highlights the contradictions and injustices they experience in their
efforts to address the interests of the African population.
❖ Witnesses: Witnesses in the film are ordinary people who share their
personal stories and experiences about the negative impact of globalization
and international economic policies on their lives. They bring a human
dimension to the trial and illustrate the concrete consequences of policy
decisions and international power structures.
Relationship Between the Trial and Society
❖ Critique of International Institutions: The trial targets international
institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank, which, according to the film,
are held responsible for economic injustices and mismanagement that
negatively affect Malian society. This reflects the broader dissatisfaction and
frustration of the local population regarding the negative impact of
globalization and international economic policies on their daily lives.
❖ Political and Social Engagement: The trial in Bamako serves as a form of
political protest and civic participation. It provides a platform for the local
population to express their dissatisfaction and participate in a symbolic
struggle against powerful international institutions. This mirrors broader social
and political movements that aim to address the impact of global economic
systems and demand reforms.
Which Human Rights Are Addressed?
➢ Right to decent living conditions
➢ Right to development (education)
➢ Right to participation
➢ Right to fair treatment
➢ Equal treatment and non-discrimination
, Decolonial Thinking and the Quest for Decolonising Human
Rights - José-Manuel Barreto
José-Manuel Barreto explores how decolonial theories can contribute to a
reinterpretation and reform of human rights concepts. Barreto argues that the current
human rights framework is deeply rooted in Western values and perspectives, which
often ignore or suppress the colonial and postcolonial histories of other societies.
Some key points from the text include:
❖ Critique of Western Dominance: Barreto emphasizes that the current
human rights framework often reflects Western norms and values, which can
lead to the marginalization of non-Western perspectives. This implies a
colonial legacy that influences how human rights are defined and applied.
❖ Decolonial Theory: The article uses decolonial theories to advocate for a
rethinking of human rights. These theories criticize the universal claims of
Western frameworks and call for the recognition of diverse ways of thinking
and being.
❖ Diversity and Inclusion: Barreto advocates for a more inclusive approach
that considers the cultural and historical contexts of different communities.
This means not only a theoretical revision but also practical steps to address
the experiences and needs of various groups.
❖ Redefining Human Rights: The text suggests that there is a need to redefine
human rights in a way that acknowledges the plurality of human experiences
and justice, integrating decolonial insights.
The central idea is that a decolonial approach to human rights can contribute to a
more just and inclusive world order by challenging Western hegemony and making
space for diverse perspectives and experiences.
___________________________________________________________________
Week 3
What Are Human Rights? Four Schools of
Thought_Marie-Bénédicte Dembour
Different people hold different concepts of human rights. There is in practice a lack of
agreement on what human rights are. There are four schools of thought on human
rights:
1) Natural scholars → think that human rights are given;
2) Deliberative scholars → think that human rights are agreed upon;
3) Protest scholars → think that human rights are fought for;
4) Discourse scholars → think that human rights are talked about.
