1. Français

Intersections: Practicing Pluralism

Human Rights, Minority Rights, Non-Discrimination and Pluralism

Publication Date: October 2018

Respect for diversity is a foundational component of human rights and minority rights law, and has been enshrined in international treaties, declarations and conventions for decades. As such, securing human rights is a necessary precondition for achieving pluralism. However, in order to be characterized as universal, human rights law has been created on the basis of consensus between elite actors, and in the interests of states. A pluralism lens on diversity issues can prove to be an invaluable tool in overcoming the structural limitations of international human rights law, and taking respect for diversity above and beyond the foundations laid by international actors such as the UN.

Corinne Lennox

Corinne Lennox is Associate Director of the Human Rights Consortium as well as a Senior Lecturer in Human Rights at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, both located at the University of London. Her research focuses on issues of minority and indigenous rights protection, civil society mobilisation for human rights, and human rights and development. She has also worked for many years as a human rights consultant and trainer, including at Minority Rights Group International, the UNDP, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.