Routledge International Law, Human Rights and Public Opinion: The Role of the State in Educating on Human Rights Standards

This book explores situations in which public opinion presents itself as an obstacle to the protection and promotion of human rights. Taking an international law perspective, it primarily deals with two questions: first, whether international law requires States to take an independent stance on human rights issues; second, whether international law encourages States to inform and mobilise public opinion with regard to core human rights standards. The discussion is mainly organised within the framework of the UN system. The work is particularly relevant to situations in which public opinion appears as discriminatory attitudes based on race, gender, age, health, sexual orientation and other factors. It is also pertinent to circumstances in which public opinion is responsible for the existence of certain harmful customs and practices such as female genital mutilation and capital punishment. Noting that the death penalty is increasingly recognised as an infringement of human rights, this study further challenges States’ argument that capital punishment cannot be abolished because of public opinion. The book also discusses the role that education bears under international law in moulding favourable attitudes towards human rights. Finally, the book challenges States’ acceptance that public opinion cannot be confronted in this respect. Review We recognize public education as a fundamental right but do not insist enough on the duty of the State to ensure its progressive content. Heping Deng provides great insight into this dimension of modern human rights practice, answering governments who invoke public opinion as a pretext for their refusal to undertake important reforms. William A. Schabas OC MRIA, Professor of international lawCalling public authorities to engage with their pubic opinions on non-discrimination and human rights is not only a timely issue but something which has been overlooked by the literature. Heping Dang offers a rich, well researched, and convincing perspective on States duty to engage and mobilise their public opinion on human rights issues. A rewarding and timely read. Jérémie Gilbert (PhD, LLM), Professor of International and Comparative Law. About the Author Dr Heping Dang is a lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. Her research and publications focus on international human rights law, criminal law and capital punishment.