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Human Rights Without Discrimination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

Vernon Van Dyke
Vernon Van Dyke*
Affiliation:
University of Iowa
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Abstract

This paper focuses on the requirement of the U. N. Charter that members shall promote human rights “without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.” It asks: (1) whether “without distinction” means “without any differentiation” or “without discrimination”; (2) whether the naming of race, sex, language, and religion means that “distinction” on other bases remains permissible, or whether what is ruled out is discrimination of any kind that affects human rights; and (3) whether the search for equality has not been internationalized, at least in principle, and what the implications of the internationalization may be. The inquiry can be classified as legal/philosophical.

The third question leads to an analysis of the “without distinction” clause of the Charter in terms of the principle of equality. Claims to nondiscrimination are negative claims to equality, and they have as their counterpart claims to affirmative action on behalf of equality—often for groups. The problem is that affirmative action promoting equality for groups entails differentiations among individuals that may be discriminatory. To resolve the dilemma, the test of reasonableness is endorsed—and the search for standards for judging it goes on—at both the domestic and international levels.

Type
Research Article
Information
American Political Science Review , Volume 67 , Issue 4 , December 1973 , pp. 1267 - 1274
Copyright
Copyright © American Political Science Association 1973

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References

1 Among the instruments adopted by the General Assembly are the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the Genocide Convention (1948), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965), the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), and the Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (1966). The United States has not ratified any of these conventions or covenants. It has ratified a Supplementary Slavery Convention. On the policies of the United States, see Van Dyke, Vernon, Human Rights, the United States, and World Community (New York: Oxford University Press, 1970), pp. 129–156 Google Scholar.

2 The Universal Declaration and most of the other international documents on human rights cited herein are conveniently available in Basic Documents on Human Rights, ed. Brownlie, Ian (Oxford: Clarendon, 1971)Google Scholar.

3 Cf. European Court of Human Rights, Series B: Pleadings, Oral Arguments, and Documents. Case “Relating to Certain Aspects of the Laws on the Use of Languages in Education in Belgium” (Strasbourg, 1967), Vol. II, pp. 79–80 Google Scholar. (Hereafter cited as Eur. Court H. R., Series B, “Linguistic” Case.)

4 E/CN.4/SR.53.

5 A/5365, paras. 57–58.

6 Cf. McKean, W. A., “The Meaning of Discrimination in International and Municipal Law,” British Year-book of International Law, Vol. 44 (1970), 180 Google Scholar.

7 Eur. Court H. R., Series B, “Linguistic” Case, Vol. II, 80 Google Scholar. European Court of Human Rights. Series A: Judgments and Decisions, 1968. Case “Relating to Certain Aspects of the Laws on the Use of Languages in Education in Belgium” (Merits). Judgment of 23 July 1968 (Strasbourg, 1968), p. 34. (Hereafter cited as Eur. Court H. R., Series A, “Linguistic” Case, Judgment of 23 July 1968.Google Scholar)

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12 The convention makes certain exceptions explicit. “Separate but equal” education by sex is permissible; and separate educational systems established in keeping with the wishes of parents for religious or linguistic reasons are also permissible, if enrollment is optional and if appropriate standards are maintained.

13 Senelle, Robert, “The Revision of the Constitution 1967–1971,” Memo from Belgium, Nos. 144–145–146, January-February-March 1972 (Brussels: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, External Trade and Cooperation in Development), p. 15 Google Scholar.

14 Senelle, p. 186. Article 86b of the constitution.

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28 Text of opinion in American Journal of International Law, 66 (January, 1972), 180–181 Google Scholar. Cf. Schwelb, Egon, “The International Court of Justice and the Human Rights Clauses of the Charter,” American Journal of International Law, 66 (April, 1972), 348–349 CrossRefGoogle Scholar.