A Modest Proposal: A Global Court of Human Rights

Abstract

Despite significant gains, the majority of the global population still lacks the right to effective judicial remedy for rights violations. Scholars have recently considered the possibility that creating a Global Court of Human Rights could remedy this problem. This article proceeds in three sections. It begins with a discussion of the most prominent historical proposal for an International Court of Human Rights, underscoring the early recognition that a Global Court of Human Rights was needed. The next section assesses the need for the Court by reviewing the current human rights enforcement and monitoring mechanisms. It then turns to concerns with the creation of a Global Court of Human Rights. After considering these arguments, the article identifies three key benefits of creating the Court and proposes a sketch of a Global Court of Human Rights.