Human rights and Islamic revivalism

At a time when human rights are again becoming a potent part of international relations, one is entitled to ask to whose advantage the issue is being raised. One particular target seems to be Islamic ‘fundamentalism’, ignoring the wide varieties of religious and political views presented by contemporary Islamic movements. An attempt is made to identify the main divergent trends among these movements. The author warns that an uncritical use of the human rights issue as a weapon with which to beat Islamic movements only serves to aid state oppression in the Muslim world. Particular consideration is given to the position of non‐Muslims, and a dialogue is encouraged to clarify facts and fears.

This paper was given as a lecture at a seminar on ‘Religion, Law and Society’ organized by the World Council of Churches in early November 1993 in Nyon, Switzerland