Includes bibliographical references (pages 249-270) and index.

'Universalism' vs 'relativism' : the origins and characterization of the debate -- The philosophical foundations and development of international human rights law -- Methodological revisitation of the problem -- Are human rights a creation of the West? A look at pre-colonial societies -- The evolution of the Western concept of human rights -- Contemporary human rights standards in non-Western societies -- The progressive affirmation of collective rights, the weight of duties, and the diaspora from Western legacies : a holistic reconceptualization of human rights -- Culture and human rights : a tricky, indissoluble relationship -- Culturally based approach to human rights in international legal instruments -- Culturally based approach to international human rights law in international practice -- Culturally based approach to international human rights law in regional practice -- Closing synopsis -- Revisitation of the 'universalism vs relativism' debate -- Benefits determined by a differentiated culturally based approach to human rights -- Why does a given degree of universalism remain necessary? -- Identification and delimitation of universal human rights standards.

International human rights law was originally focused on universal individual rights. This text examines the developments which have seen it change to a multi-cultural approach, one more sensitive to the cultures of the people directly affected by them. It argues that this can provide benefits, but that aspects of universalism must be retained.