A Vision of Rights for the Future

In addressing the sustainable development agenda of the next thirty to fifty years, it is important to bear in mind six key concerns. The first is an emphasis on individual rather than collective rights. The second is the notion of the reliance on civil and political rights at the cost of economic and social rights and a recognition of their indivisibility. The third concern is dimming down the reliance on legal advocacy and legislative mechanisms to gain rights, especially because this runs the risk of excluding women’s voices and the voices of minorities. The fourth concern is to view human rights as more than just a "naming and shaming" process, and additionally as a reflective, moral regulatory tool. The fifth element is the human rights-based approach, which focuses on the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. The sixth and final concern is the overarching emphasis on the state as the major player and the major actor in world politics. But other actors, such as businesses and civil societies, must also play their roles. This chapter is part of Module 11: New Directions: Rights and the SDGs.