Rights, Security, and Accountability

This chapter explores the intricate balance between individual rights and state security, examining international human rights documents and the historical context since the 1940s. It critiques the potential for international law to legitimize state violence under the pretext of national security, while highlighting the failures of frameworks like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in protecting vulnerable populations. The discussion emphasizes the need for a broader understanding of rights that includes material deprivation and environmental issues, incorporating diverse legal traditions and advocating for a collective responsibility towards all beings.