Human Rights and cultural interpretations of Human Rights

Abstract

There is no end or teleology to the struggle for human rights. There is no economic development as warranty for the abolition of human rights violations. There is no justice system immune to examples of injustice and inhumane behaviour. However, universal human rights are one way to ensure that humanitarian movements win one victory at a time. The paper discusses how Portugal, Greece and Spain each have surprisingly diverse human rights struggles, depending on their histories. No wonder that in much different countries, western countries or else, the human rights struggles are so different. Regardless, these facts should not provide an excuse for social theory to avoid understanding what is universal wherever human rights activists are involved. Social theory should take as its goal to show how in each and every society, regardless of very different history, culture or politics, humans share universal needs and desires that transcend their differences.