The history of social movements and human rights



Human rights are often seen as universal and timeless principles that protect the dignity and freedom of all human beings. However, human rights are not natural or given; they are the result of historical struggles and collective actions by various social movements. In this blog post, I will explore some of the theoretical perspectives and historical examples of how social movements have shaped and challenged human rights.




One of the main arguments in the literature on human rights and social movements is that human rights are not fixed or static; they are dynamic and contested. Human rights are constantly redefined and renegotiated by different actors and groups in different contexts and times. As Neil Stammers argues in his book Human Rights and Social Movements, human rights are "socially constructed through struggle" [^1^][1]. This means that human rights are not simply given by law or authority; they are claimed and defended by people who mobilize and organize for their recognition and realization.

Another important argument is that human rights are not neutral or impartial; they are political and ideological. Human rights reflect the values and interests of those who advocate for them, as well as those who oppose them. Human rights are often used as a tool or a weapon by different social movements to advance their agendas and challenge their adversaries. As Sonia Cardenas argues in her book Conflict and Compliance: State Responses to International Human Rights Pressure, human rights are "a site of contestation, where actors compete for legitimacy, power, and resources" . This means that human rights are not simply respected or violated; they are manipulated and resisted by states and other actors who seek to maintain or change the status quo.




Some examples of how social movements have influenced and transformed human rights throughout history are:

- The abolitionist movement, which fought against slavery and racism in the 18th and 19th centuries, and contributed to the emergence of the first international human rights treaties, such as the 1926 Slavery Convention.

- The labor movement, which demanded better working conditions and social protection for workers in the 19th and 20th centuries, and contributed to the development of the social and economic rights, such as the right to work, to form trade unions, and to social security.

- The feminist movement, which challenged gender discrimination and oppression in the 20th and 21st centuries, and contributed to the recognition of the women's rights, such as the right to vote, to education, to health, and to equality.

- The civil rights movement, which protested against racial segregation and injustice in the 20th century, especially in the United States, and contributed to the affirmation of the civil and political rights, such as the right to freedom of expression, assembly, and participation.

- The environmental movement, which raised awareness about the ecological crisis and its impact on human well-being in the 20th and 21st centuries, and contributed to the emergence of the environmental rights, such as the right to a healthy environment, to access natural resources, and to sustainable development.


These examples show that human rights are not static or given; they are dynamic and contested. They also show that human rights are not neutral or impartial; they are political and ideological. Human rights are shaped and challenged by social movements that seek to create a more just and humane world.

References:


[^1^][1]: Stammers N., Human Rights And Social Movements (London: Pluto Press), 2009.


: Cardenas S., Conflict And Compliance: State Responses To International Human Rights Pressure (Philadelphia: University Of Pennsylvania Press), 2007.


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