International Protection of Human Rights – The Conceptual Framework and Contemporary Issues

Abstract

International protection of human rights is one of the most prominent achievements of contemporary international law, transcending the notion of absolute sovereignty towards a legal system aimed at ensuring respect for fundamental rights of individuals across all states. This research paper examines the concept of international protection, explores its global, regional, and religious sources, and then analyses the main obstacles hindering its implementation, both at the domestic level (e.g., conflict between national laws and international commitments) and at the international level (e.g., politicization of human rights, double standards, and weak enforcement mechanisms). The paper adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology and concludes that effective international protection requires fundamental reform of the institutional structure of international organizations, separating political considerations from ethical ones, while emphasizing the role of religious and regional values in enriching the human rights system.