After the reaction against natural rights at the end of the 18th century, was a gentler touch, rather than a kick start, needed to massage human rights into life?
This episode looks at the 19th century, which began as the Age of Romanticism, and which saw the abolition of the slave trade, but which was also an age of industrialisation, imperialism and racism. Movements towards a human rights sensibility were largely the result of committed reformers, rather than of governments.

Developments in international law towards human rights were regarded as exceptional, rather than fundamental. But it started to lay the groundwork for fundamental human rights norms.

After the reaction against natural rights at the end of the 18th century, was a gentler touch, rather than a kick start, needed to massage human rights into life? This episode looks at the 19th century, which began as the Age of Romanticism, and which saw the abolition of the slave trade, but which was also an age of industrialisation, imperialism and racism. Movements towards a human rights sensibility were largely the result of committed reformers, rather than of governments.
Developments in international law towards human rights were regarded as exceptional, rather than fundamental. But it started to lay the groundwork for fundamental human rights norms.

2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Was it the
most important legal document of the 20th century, still hale and hearty in the 21st century,
or is it past its prime?

It has been surrounded by myth and misunderstanding. It has been misunderstood,
misquoted and sometimes mismanaged. It has been called racist and misogynistic. Yet it
remains a legal, social and cultural lodestone. How can this be?

This series of 7 podcasts looks into these questions, but rather than being simply a legalistic or philosophical discussion, it looks at the people behind the idea that has become human rights. How ancient are human rights? Are revolutions necessary to create human rights?

Is passion important? What happened in the 20 th century to provide the impulses towards
the Universal Declaration? How was it drafted in the United Nations in a Cold War climate? Is it still relevant today and how is it being used or misused?

The presenter, Dr Phillip Tahmindjis, is an Australian human rights lawyer and former Director of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute. In that capacity he has undertaken human rights training all over the world (including Libya, Nepal and Swaziland/Eswatini), undertaken human rights capacity building programs in Afghanistan and Myanmar, drafted guidelines for human rights fact-finding and reporting, and consults with governments and industry on implementation of human rights and anti-discrimination measures. In 2012 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to the international community and human rights.

2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Was it the most important legal document of the 20th century, still hale and hearty in the 21st century, or is it past its prime?
It has been surrounded by myth and misunderstanding. It has been misunderstood, misquoted and sometimes mismanaged. It has been called racist and misogynistic. Yet it remains a legal, social and cultural lodestone. How can this be?
This series of 7 podcasts looks into these questions, but rather than being simply a legalistic or philosophical discussion, it looks at the people behind the idea that has become human rights. How ancient are human rights? Are revolutions necessary to create human rights?
Is passion important? What happened in the 20 th century to provide the impulses towards the Universal Declaration? How was it drafted in the United Nations in a Cold War climate? Is it still relevant today and how is it being used or misused?
The presenter, Dr Phillip Tahmindjis, is an Australian human rights lawyer and former Director of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute. In that capacity he has undertaken human rights training all over the world (including Libya, Nepal and Swaziland/Eswatini), undertaken human rights capacity building programs in Afghanistan and Myanmar, drafted guidelines for human rights fact-finding and reporting, and consults with governments and industry on implementation of human rights and anti-discrimination measures. In 2012 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to the international community and human rights.

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