Geopolitics and The Future of Human Rights

Human rights define the relationship between citizens and the state, both in terms of constraints and obligations. But over the course of the last two decades there has been a systematic weakening of international human rights norms and laws, precipitated by, among other things, the global war on terror, the 2008 financial crisis, the rise of illiberal governments and the growing rivalry between the United States and China. With waves of COVID-19 sweeping the globe, debate has emerged over the relevance of human rights in the face of massive health crises and inequities. Does COVID-19 create the opportunity to protect the right to life, healthcare, freedom of movement, or does it negate human rights in favour of maintaining social and economic growth and a return to normalcy? As the world struggles to regain its composure in the face of a pandemic, now is the time to ask: what is the relevancy of human rights to geopoltics today?