Human rights and humanitarian diplomacy
About the Series
Key Studies in Diplomacy is an innovative series of books on the procedures and processes of diplomacy, focusing on the interaction between states through their accredited representatives, that is, diplomats. Thus its volumes focus on factors affecting foreign policy, and the ways in which it is implemented, through the apparatus of diplomacy the diplomatic system in both bilateral and multilateral contexts. But they also examine the how diplomats are sometimes able to shape not just the presentation but even the substance of their states foreign policies. Given that the diplomatic system is worldwide, all the series volumes, whatever their individual focuses, contribute to an understanding of the nature of diplomacy. They do so authoritatively in that they are written by scholars specializing in diplomacy and by former diplomats and comprehensibly. They emphasize the actual practice of diplomacy, and analyze that practice in a clear and accessible manner, hence making them essential primary reading for both beginning practitioners and advanced level university students.
Series Editors
J. Simon Rofe and Giles Scott-Smith
Lorna Lloyd (Editor Emeritus)
Titles in the Series previously published by Bloomsbury Academic
21st Century Diplomacy by Kishan S. Rana
A Cornerstone of Modern Diplomacy by Kai Bruns
David Bruce and Diplomatic Practice by John W. Young
Embassies in Armed Conflict by G.R. Berridge
Titles in the Series published by Manchester University Press
Reasserting America in the 1970s edited by Hallvard Notaker, Giles Scott-Smith, and David J. Snyder
Human rights and humanitarian diplomacy
Kelly-Kate Pease
Manchester University Press
Copyright Kelly-Kate Pease 2016
The right of Kelly-Kate Pease to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Published by Manchester University Press
Altrincham Street, Manchester M1 7JA
www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data applied for
ISBN 978 1 7849 9328 3 hardback
ISBN 978 1 7849 9329 0 paperback
First published 2016
The publisher has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for any external or third-party internet websites referred to in this book, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Typeset by Out of House Publishing
Contents
This book would not have been possible without the hard work and contributions of others. First, I would like to thank Bill Felick, Ivan Gayton, Greg Constantine, Margaret McMillion, and Hosanna Fox for providing original sidebars describing their experiences in human rights and humanitarian diplomacy. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro graciously provided material and permissions related his diplomatic work as a special rapporteur. These first-hand accounts of the conduct diplomacy are invaluable for linking the theory to the practice of diplomacy. Second, I thank Webster University and its Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies, which provided the institutional support, contacts, and resources necessary to include real-world diplomatic voices. Kevan Morshed, the graduate assistant for Webster Universitys International Relations Program, is responsible for creating the texts many tables and some of the supplemental teaching materials. He also did an amazing job of editing later versions of the manuscript. Third, I owe an intellectual debt to David P. Forsythe, my mentor, colleague, and friend. His scholarship and advice related to human rights, international relations, and diplomacy helped me conceptualize the book. Fourth, the comments of the anonymous reviewers were extremely useful in revising and tightening the final manuscript. Finally, I must express my appreciation to Allan MacNeill who held my hand during the more trying moments of the drafting process. His counsel, patience, and encouragement were instrumental in helping me finish this important project.
Human rights and humanitarian diplomacy is the bargaining, negotiating, and advocating process involved with promoting and protecting international human rights and humanitarian principles. This diplomacy is also a secondary mechanism for discovering or defining new rights and principles. For centuries, diplomacy in general was the exclusive preserve of states. States use diplomacy as a foreign policy tool to achieve complicated and often competing goals. Today, human rights and humanitarian diplomacy is conducted on many levels by individuals who represent not only states but also intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). As such, diplomacy occurs on several tracks, often in interactive and simultaneous ways. Track 1 diplomacy refers to the official diplomacy practiced by state and IGO officials using traditional channels and tools. Track 2 diplomacy expands diplomatic activity to include the more unofficial interactions that involve civil society actors such as NGOs and prominent individuals. The conduct of human rights and humanitarian diplomacy occurs on multiple levels that can both complement each other, as well as work at cross-purposes.
This introductory chapter explores what international human rights are, why they are controversial, and why diplomacy is necessary for the actualization of human rights. It also explains the narrow distinctions between human rights and humanitarianism; discusses the different kinds of actors involved in multilevel human rights and humanitarian diplomacy; and outlines basic strategies and tools used to promote and protect human rights and humanitarian principles through diplomacy.
The subsequent chapters of the text are devoted to the process and conduct of human rights and humanitarian diplomacy. delves into the international civil service to show how IGO officials such as secretaries-general and high commissioners (and independent experts such as special rapporteurs) bargain and negotiate for human rights and humanitarian principles. It also explains the diplomatic functions of treaty monitoring bodies and courts in advancing respect for international human rights and humanitarian principles.
explores how the human rights and humanitarian professionals employed by NGOs and IGOs conduct day-to-day diplomacy in the field. This includes providing immediate protection, conducting interviews, negotiating humanitarian access, monitoring detention facilities, and creating humanitarian space.
Selected chapters present sidebars written by individuals engaged in human rights and humanitarian diplomacy to illustrate its actual practice. These sidebars represent voices from across the spectrum of diplomacy: heads of state, foreign ministers, ambassadors, high commissioners, special rapporteurs, humanitarian affairs officers, and human rights professionals. The voices of civil society are also included to illustrate how human rights and humanitarian diplomacy is conducted at all levels. concludes the text with a discussion of key challenges facing future human rights and humanitarian diplomatic efforts: globalization, failed states, and illiberal challenges to existing norms, laws, and values.
