IngentaConnect International bills of human rights: an Islamic critique

Author: Mohamed Berween

Source: The International Journal of Human Rights, Volume 7, Number 4, October 2004 , pp. 129-142(14)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

This article discusses three main issues raised by the International Bills of Human Rights and critiques them from an Islamic perspective. The issues are: marriage, the death penalty, and terminologies and their qualifications. My focus is limited to two international documents: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two covenants of 1996 on economic, social and political rights. The article concludes by emphasising that Muslims, in general, support these International Bills of Human Rights and consider them an excellent starting point for dialogue between all cultures and religions. However, Muslims belive that they are not genuinely 'universal' because they were written in an era where the vast majority of the world population was under colonisation. Therefore, these concepts need to be re-examined and re-evaluated by a group of international experts and scholars representing all major religions, cultures, and political philosophies in order for these international treaties to be honoured and respected by all people everywhere.

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