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International Human Rights Law and Practice in Latin America

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  • Lutz, Ellen L.
  • Sikkink, Kathryn

Abstract

Human rights practices have improved significantly throughout Latin America during the 1990s, but different degrees of legalization are not the main explanation for these changes. We examine state compliance with three primary norms of international human rights law: the prohibition against torture, the prohibition against disappearance, and the right to democratic governance. Although these norms vary in their degree of obligation, precision, and delegation, states have improved their practices in all three issue-areas. The least amount of change has occurred in the most highly legalized issue-area—the prohibition against torture. We argue that a broad regional norm shift—a “norms cascade†—has led to increased regional and international consensus with respect to an interconnected bundle of human rights norms, including the three discussed in this article. These norms are reinforced by diverse legal and political enforcement mechanisms that help to implement and ensure compliance with them.

Suggested Citation

  • Lutz, Ellen L. & Sikkink, Kathryn, 2000. "International Human Rights Law and Practice in Latin America," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 54(3), pages 633-659, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:intorg:v:54:y:2000:i:03:p:633-659_44
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    Cited by:

    1. Oona A. Hathaway, 2007. "Why Do Countries Commit to Human Rights Treaties?," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 51(4), pages 588-621, August.
    2. Catherine Z. Worsnop, 2017. "Domestic politics and the WHO’s International Health Regulations: Explaining the use of trade and travel barriers during disease outbreaks," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 365-395, September.
    3. Hlavac, Marek, 2010. "Freedom as the key to prosperity: Lessons from the world's growth miracles and economic disasters," MPRA Paper 25563, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Ore Koren, 2017. "Means to an end: Pro-government militias as a predictive indicator of strategic mass killing1," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 34(5), pages 461-484, September.
    5. Cerdeña, Jessica P. & Rivera, Luisa M. & Spak, Judy M., 2021. "Intergenerational trauma in Latinxs: A scoping review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    6. Seung Hoon Chae, 2021. "Are stronger states more humane? A re-evaluation of ‘exemplary villains’," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 58(4), pages 702-718, July.
    7. Swantje Renfordt, 2010. "How International Law Standards Pervade Discourse on the Use of Armed Force - Insights into European and US Newspaper Debates between 1990 and 2005," KFG Working Papers p0013, Free University Berlin.
    8. Emilie M. Hafner-Burton & Jana von Stein & Erik Gartzke, 2008. "International Organizations Count," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 52(2), pages 175-188, April.
    9. Mückenberger, Ulrich, 2008. "Civilising Globalism: Transnational Norm-Building Networks – A Research Programme," GIGA Working Papers 90, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies.

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