Human Rights in a Changing East/West Perspective

Human rights may be categorized as political, economic, social and cultural. Examined under these four headings, neither East nor West presents a monolithic position. Many states, while scoring well in some areas, fail in others. The West has often stopped short at the attainment of political rights, while the East has concentrated on conferring economic and social rights. The issues that have played an important role in the promotion and protection of human rights in Europe are analyzed in this book from an international human rights law perspective, so that the changes that are currently taking place in Eastern Europe can be objectively assessed. This book warns of the danger of embracing political freedoms and neglecting the other rights that were formerly preferred in the East. The view is put that the preservation of the principles and ideas of a just society in Europe which are inherent in both Eastern and Western traditions should be merged and developed.