Speaker(s): Professor Philip Alston | The human rights movement is reeling and the worst is yet to come. Populists have come to power in key countries promoting an agenda which is avowedly nationalistic, xenophobic and retrograde. The space for civil society has been closed down in many countries. The International Criminal Court is under concerted attack as states withdraw and ‘unsign’. Regional and UN institutions are under increasing pressure. This lecture suggests what can be done in response to this onslaught of negative developments. ‘Business as usual’ is not one of the options. Intensive self-reflection, innovative thinking and creative strategizing will be required. This lecture marks International Human Rights day, which on the 10th December each year commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly. Philip Alston is John Norton Pomeroy Professor of Law at New York University School of Law. His teaching focu
