A Concise Historical-Ethical Evaluation of Human Rights and International Relations In Light of the Catholic Social Teaching

Although the issue of human rights is a latecomer to International relations however, when the issue of human rights is broadened it encompasses the area of human rights in international relations and this is clearly the area of work of the United Nations. That is to say that the role of the United Nations as regards human rights falls within the ambient of the autonomy of the Nation-States that form the international community; and it is within this ambient that the role of the United Nations as the intermediary of human rights is priceless. How much this is in vogue needs re-evaluation 60-year on after the Human rights declaration of 1948. How far is this? What fruits and prospects therein?

In our century the Church has been at the forefront of human rights vis-à-vis international relations via her social teaching. A clear attest to this is Pope Benedict XVI’s memorable speech at the United Nations General Assembly on the 18 April 2008. This apostolate remains invaluable and urgent even as humanity enters into the next decade of the declaration of human rights.

Peter Chidi Okuma is a priest of the pics Catholic diocese of Orlu, Nigeria. He holds a High diploma in freelance and feature writing in Journalism from the London School of Journalism, UK with distinction. He holds a Master's degree in Religious studies and a Master's study certificate in Education and Psychology from the Catholic University Leuven, Belgium where he equally received a certified doctoral training in 2005. He earned a doctorate in Theology from the Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany and a second doctorate in Social Sciences from St Thomas University Rome (Angelicum). He has published many works among the most recent are: (1) Omumu - The Igbo Life-value: A challenge to Human Life issue today (With Particular Focus on Humanae Vitae In light of familial value study), - An Analytical-Practical Approach, Peter Lang Publishers, Frankfurt am Main, New York, 2008; (2) Empowerment of the Catholic Laity in the Nigerian Political Situation." An Hermeneutical reading of Apostolicam Actuositatem (The decree on the apostolate of the laity) of Vatican II and its application to concrete situation, Peter Lang Publishers, Frankfurt am Main, New York, 2008.