Do human rights really protect us? The evolution of the concept of human rights influenced by the work of the inter-american court of human rights

Abstract

This text explores the growing influence of International Human Rights Law, focusing on the Inter-American System. It argues that human rights have attained a status akin to a "secular religion," shaping the legitimacy of states globally. Criticizing the hierarchical and unaccountable nature of bodies issuing internationally recognized treaties, the text examines specific characteristics of the Inter-American Human Rights Law, such as autonomous treaty interpretation and the control of conventionality doctrine. The concept of a "minimum standard" is scrutinized, raising concerns about the infallibility of treaty body interpretations. The existence of parallel legal orders and the relationship between national and international frameworks is discussed, unveiling potential challenges and an "infallibility complex" among human rights defenders.