The pathetic belief in the collective wisdom that there simply is widespread individual ignorance about human rights and we can do nothing about it will lead our work nowhere. (Adapted…
Human rights may seem distant ideals for families starving or unable to protect themselves from preventable illnesses or provide their children with basic education. Yet it is in these circumstances…
With few exceptions, rich countries: Are not taking into account their international human rights (HR) duties when engaging in international assistance and cooperation programs, when they do not follow the…
February blog Claudio Schuftan Halfdan Mahler, pictured above, is a cherished friend, and a member of the People’s Health Movement. He was the Director-General of the World Health Organization for…
Beyond the conventional human rights approach, towards a radical view of rights The standard conception of human rights relies significantly on the international legal framework discussed earlier. But the same…
Health rights of social groups with special health needs Any system of rights is relevant only if it benefits the most vulnerable or deprived. The argument is not for a…
The issue of prime mover on health rights Health which concerns ‘everybody’, might be in the danger of being the particular concern of ‘nobody’. Unlike many other issues (like workers…
Pathologies of power, as well as social class formation are the motor forces behind most human rights violations which are themselves embedded in entrenched historical structural violence trends. Many previous…
As we have said in previous Readers, most democracies are sham democracies, where the exploited are easily fooled, have little money and cannot push for their own interests. Western-style electoral…
In the above case, it has been said that individual human rights (HR) may be in conflict with social benefits. But the fact is that one can respect individual HR…