London: Renowned international law scholar Professor Surya P. Subedi OBE, KC has been honoured with a festschrift celebrating his remarkable career in human rights and international law. The book, titled The Incoherence of Human Rights in International Law, was launched at a special event hosted by the Manchester International Law Centre at the University of Manchester.
The event, attended by academics from universities across the UK and beyond, as well as Professor Subedi’s family from Nepal, the U.S., and Mexico, highlighted his significant contributions to the field. The festschrift was edited by Dr Louisa Ashley and Dr Nicolette Butler, both of whom earned their PhDs in law from the University of Leeds under Prof Subedi’s supervision. Published by Routledge in London and New York, the book includes contributions from University of Leeds Law School staff and alumni, as well as scholars from various institutions worldwide.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Steven Wheatley, former Head of Leeds Law School, praised Professor Subedi’s lasting impact on international law and human rights. Editors Dr Ashley and Dr Butler also reflected on the motivation behind compiling the festschrift, underscoring their desire to honour Prof Subedi’s distinguished career.
Delivering a keynote speech on A Cross-Cultural Understanding of Human Rights in International Legal Discourse, Professor Subedi warned of the growing threats to human rights globally. He noted that the rise of populism and nationalism across the globe is posing an unprecedented challenge to the United Nations rights regime, adding that even democratic governments—some of which were the original architects of the liberal system—have contributed to the erosion of human rights’ universality by using them as tools of foreign policy.
Prof Subedi emphasised that modern human rights concepts have emerged from the collective wisdom of major civilisations and religious traditions, stating that they represent “the history of the struggle to check the excesses of the government of the day.” He urged human rights scholars to explore the origins of human rights values in diverse civilisations and challenge the prevailing narratives about their history.
The Western tradition is not the only natural habitat of human rights values, he asserted. “Other non-Western traditions have also served as fertile grounds for pluralism, tolerance, social harmony, and humanity. Our goal should be to establish connections between civilisations to shape the future, as human nature unites us all and transforms knowledge into wisdom,” he said.
Expressing gratitude, Professor Subedi thanked the festschrift’s editors, contributors, and academic colleagues from institutions such as Leeds and Oxford, where he has taught throughout his career. He also acknowledged Professor Javier García Oliva, Head of Manchester University’s Law School, for his support to the event.
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