Universal Human Rights vs Cultural & Religious Variations: AfricanInterpretations Re-evaluated - A Comparative Study of Namibia,Ethiopia, & Zambia

Nsama Jonathan Simuziya, M.A.

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

Abuse of human rights in Africa seems to be commonplace under the guise of culture andreligion. The research aims at exploring the intersection between human rights and culture in thecontext of the universal human rights regime. Perceptions of differences in the interpretation ofhuman rights in Africa are assessed with the view to finding an interface with the universalregime. The research relies on primary data gathered by way of ethnographic study andinterviews, and builds on secondary data analysis using academic journals, academic books, andonline publications. In contemporary IR, the key question on human rights seems to be whether itis the individual rights or collective rights that should have primacy in polity governance.What is striking is that most African domestic constitutions do recognize the rights of individualfreedoms and liberties, yet this aspect seems to be ignored, whereby the state keeps violating thesame rights that it purports to guarantee. The discrepancies between theory and practice in theexecution of domestic laws have created environments that are not conducive for the sustenanceof human rights. It is from this paradox that the problem of bad governance emerges whereminorities suffer most in human rights abuses. The study argues that discriminatory laws andoutmoded cultural norms not only constrain the realization of minorities’ full potential, but alsoholds back all of society. The study concludes that the best radar that would ensure protection ofcitizens’ rights would be the implementation of universal human rights in Africa. This way, stateswould be more obliged to protect the population and provide appropriate remedies wheneverabuses occur

Keywords

human rights, africa, Zambia, Namibia, Ethiopia

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 7. 10. 2024

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 11. 12. 2024
• Supervisor: Mgr. Stanislav Myšička, Ph.D.
• Reader: Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim, Asnake Kefale

University of Hradec Králové

Faculty of Arts

Doctoral programme / field:
Political Science / African Studies