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Human rights consolidation or fragmentation? A network analysis of resolution sponsorship in the UN Human Rights Council

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  • Edgerton, Jared
  • Pauselli, Gino
  • Cavero, Cecilia

Abstract

The international human rights regime is neither universally cohesive nor universally fragmented, yet existing scholarship treats it as one or the other. This article addresses that gap by analyzing state sponsorship of resolutions proposed at the United Nations Human Rights Council (2006–2024). We develop a network-based measurement approach that enables systematic, within-issue comparison of fragmentation across the regime’s diverse topic areas. Through network analysis of expert- and BERT-coded resolutions, we find that fragmentation is issue-dependent, with topics like Israel-Palestine exhibiting higher levels of division, while other topics, such as physical integrity, show more consistent collaboration among states. These findings challenge the assumption of a monolithic human rights regime, highlight the analytical value of combining domain knowledge with unsupervised text analysis, and clarify the specific issue domains where coalition-building in multilateral human rights governance is most constrained.

Suggested Citation

  • Edgerton, Jared & Pauselli, Gino & Cavero, Cecilia, 2026. "Human rights consolidation or fragmentation? A network analysis of resolution sponsorship in the UN Human Rights Council," Network Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14, pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:netsci:v:14:y:2026:i::p:e24_24
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