Novara Media Downstream: Does International Law Even Work? w/ Kenneth Roth
Apr 28, 2025
Kenneth Roth, former director of Human Rights Watch, delves into the complexities of international law and human rights advocacy. He shares insights from his journey shaped by a childhood marked by World War II, emphasizing the crucial role of public opinion in holding governments accountable. Roth discusses the challenges surrounding immigration policies, the dynamics of shame in international accountability, and the delicate balance of potential solutions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His reflections underscore the ongoing struggle for human rights amidst shifting democratic values.
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Personal Roots of Activism
- Kenneth Roth's father fled Nazi Germany as a child, shaping Roth's passion for human rights.
- Roth volunteered on human rights cases while prosecuting in New York before joining Human Rights Watch.
Power of Facts and Shame
- The key to human rights work is presenting facts that trigger public moral outrage.
- Governments often change behavior due to shame and reputational concerns, not just legal pressure.
Uniform Human Rights Standards
- Human Rights Watch expanded from monitoring Soviet abuses to holding all governments, including Western democracies, accountable.
- They opposed double standards and applied rights uniformly, regardless of political alliances.
