Study reveals shifting landscape of UN human rights discourse

A new study led by Dr. Renana Keydar, Dr. Vera Shikhelman and Prof. Tomer Broude from the Faculty of Law at Hebrew University highlights a significant evolution in the UN’s approach to human rights, indicating a growing emphasis on disability rights and business-related human rights, while discussions about war and terrorism are on the decline. This shift suggests that the UN is increasingly prioritizing social equity and the rights of marginalized groups, adapting to contemporary global challenges.

The paper is published in the journal Human Rights Law Review.

By underscoring the importance of corporate responsibility, the research signals a move toward a more comprehensive understanding of human rights that encompasses not only traditional civil and political rights but also economic and social rights. This evolution could lead to more effective policies aimed at addressing systemic inequalities and promoting inclusivity, reinforcing the UN’s role as a key player in advancing human rights globally.

Utilizing an innovative computational method, the study analyzed 180,000 UN recommendations, providing the most comprehensive examination of human rights discourse to date.

Key Findings:

The study employed a novel Density of Discourse model, leveraging machine learning techniques to track changes in human rights discussions over time and across UN mechanisms. Notable findings include:

• Increased focus: Significant growth in discourse surrounding disability rights and business-related human rights.
• Declining attention: A marked decrease in discussions related to war and terrorism.
• Consistent engagement: Ongoing interest in issues within the sex/gender cluster.

The research challenges the assumption that the proliferation of human rights is uniformly increasing. Instead, it reveals that shifts in focus on specific rights are more pronounced.

The study’s Density of Discourse model enables automated content analysis of a vast corpus of UN recommendations, allowing for the tracking of both diachronic changes in topical composition and synchronic trends across various UN human rights mechanisms.

Implications and future applications

The research provides essential insights into the dynamics of human rights discourse, illuminating the challenges faced by the UN human rights system. Its methodology offers a valuable tool applicable in various contexts, including judicial deliberations, legislative processes, and treaty negotiations. This comprehensive approach to analyzing discourse is expected to inspire further research across both legal and non-legal fields.

However, the shift in the UN’s human rights focus may pose potential downsides, including insufficient attention to urgent security issues related to war and terrorism. Prioritizing disability and business rights might marginalize other critical areas, and an overly corporate-centric approach could dilute advocacy efforts for vulnerable populations.