The universal character of human rights and Mediterranean regionalization

Abstract

The article focuses on these investigations: 1. Which objectives are addressed by the regionalization of human rights in relation to their universal character in an area like the Mediterranean? 2. Which major chapters regarding human rights should be incorporated into the planned process of legal infra-Mediterranean convergence? 3. How are we to build an international framework purposely set up for countries which belong to different international zones or regions? To these investigations the author responds that the regionalization of human rights has been justified in preference to universalism on the basis of practicality. Rights are more easily guaranteed at the regional rather than at the global level. The real and effective application of human rights, which by their very nature cannot allow exclusions or restrictions of any kind, can only be promoted by identifying and enforcing the core chapters concerning human rights which are shared by all countries. There is an urgent need to identify an appropriate forum in which the question of the affirmation and effective application of human rights can become an integral part of the reciprocal commitments signed by the Mediterranean states, as well as an area of mutual control.