Abstract

A large number of international and regional treaties have been signed since the nonbinding Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Critics counter that it is unlikely that these have had any impact. Others argue that international frameworks can enhance adherence to human rights, particularly in more democratic nations or nations with a robust civil society committed to international relations. Since the U.N. issued the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, several formal treaties have been negotiated between countries that acknowledge hundreds of human rights, including political and civil rights, the right to work, the right to obtain health care, and the right to an education. However, some detractors claim that these treaties are overly utopian and difficult to enforce because of which violations happen. This paper aims to review violations of human rights treaties that have taken place on an international level and the types of violation and attempts to answer the question whether international human rights accords effectively safeguard marginalized groups, or should we look for alternatives?

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