Balancing Cultural Relativism and Universal Human Rights: The Case of Islamic Law

International human rights law, a body of international law primarily comprising treaties, agreements, and customary international law, is a field where the expertise of scholars, researchers, and policymakers is crucial. Its roots can be traced back to ancient civilisations and philosophical traditions, with early documents like the Cyrus Cylinder, the Magna Carta, and various religious texts laying the groundwork for later developments. The Enlightenment era introduced the concept of natural rights, as articulated by philosophers such as John Locke. The fight against slavery and abolitionist movements also marked significant human rights milestones. In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the UDHR, a milestone document asserting the inalienable rights of all people. Following the UDHR, the UN adopted several treaties to expand the human rights principles into binding treaties. However, debates persist about the universality of human rights versus the need to respect cultural differences and traditions. This ongoing discourse underscores the complex and dynamic nature of international human rights law, particularly in the face of cultural and religious diversity. The challenges to universality have only intensified with the advent of globalisation, which has brought new issues, such as the impact of multinational corporations on human rights and the need for transnational human rights protection mechanisms. Advances in technology, such as surveillance and artificial intelligence, pose new threats to privacy and other human rights. Environmental degradation and climate change are increasingly recognised as critical human rights issues. Efforts are ongoing to strengthen international and regional human rights enforcement mechanisms to ensure better compliance and accountability. There is growing recognition of the need to address the interconnectedness of various forms of discrimination and human rights violations. International human rights law has evolved significantly from its early philosophical and legal foundations to a complex and comprehensive system of norms and institutions. While substantial progress has been made, ongoing challenges underscore the need to adopt universalism in human rights and strengthen human rights protections through the room for Islamic law and other cultures across the global landscape.