Navigating the Difficulty: International Human Rights Law’s Relationship with Western (Cultural) Imperialism

This article explores the difficult relationship between international human rights law (IHRL) and Western cultural imperialism, focusing on Makau Mutua’s critique. Mutua argues that IHRL serves as a tool for Western powers to perpetuate dominance over non-Western societies, employing the savage-victim-saviour metaphor. The reflection navigates Mutua’s arguments, delving into the historical biases within the development of IHRL, including the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The article contends that while IHRL reflects Western influences, dismissing it as solely Western-centric and imperialistic oversimplifies its complexities. The analysis includes considerations of drafting dynamics, cultural relativism and the role of human rights institutions. The article encourages a nuanced approach, acknowledging both Western contributions and the diverse origins of human rights ideas. The article concludes by advocating for ongoing reflection, adaptation and inclusive collaboration to address concerns of cultural imperialism.