International Law, Human Rights and Public Opinion: The Role of the State in Educating on Human Rights Standards

ISBN-13: 9780367189693 / Angielski / Miękka / 2019 / 182 str.

Heping Dang

Opis

This book explores situations when public opinion presents as an obstacle to the protection and promotion of human rights. Taking an International Law perspective, it primarily deals with two questions: first, whether international law requires States to take an independent stance on human rights issues; second, whether international law encourages states to inform and mobilize public opinion with regard to core human rights standards. The discussion is mainly organized within the framework of the UN system. The work is particularly relevant to situations in which public opinion appears as discriminatory attitudes based on race, gender, age, health, sexual orientation and other factors. It is also pertinent to circumstances when public opinion is responsible for the existence of certain harmful customs and practices such as female genital mutilation, and capital punishment. Noting that the death penalty is increasingly recognized as an infringement of human rights, this study further challenges States’ argument that capital punishment cannot be abolished because of public opinion. The book also discusses the role that education bears under international law in moulding favourable attitudes towards human rights. Finally, the book challenges states’ acceptance that public opinion cannot be confronted in this respect.

Spis treści

Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Public Opinion and Racial Discrimination 3. Public Opinion and Women's Equality 4. Influencing Public Opinion via Human Rights Education 5. Public Opinion and the Death Penalty 6. Conclusions Bibliography Index

O autorze

Dr Heping Dang is a lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. Her research and publications focus on international human rights law, criminal law and capital punishment.