From Utopia to Reality : Human Rights Activism in Arab Countries

Abstract

How did the transition in the nature and relevance of human rights actors in Arab countries take place and what does it mean? This paper attempts to answer this broad question while arguing that the hyper-legal language and framing of human rights as embodied in a body of international law and organizations are no longer as effective under the current global world order. This does not mean the end of this utopian vision but rather to seriously reconsider our narratives about the origins and linkages of the human rights paradigm in this region and worldwide and to probably readjust expectations and changing strategies and tactics.