The Persuasive Authority of Philip Alston’s Work for Human Rights Regional Bodies

Abstract

The chapter explores the persuasive authority on Regional Courts of Human Rights of Professor Philip Alston’s reports and other contributions, while serving as member of the UN CESCR, Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions, and Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights. Throughout the reports and multiple general comments he authored, Alston has strongly influenced the approach to human rights. His pleading for the justiciability of economic, social, cultural, and environmental human rights is rendering more visible the connection between the economic situation of an individual, a group or a country and the ideal of universal enjoyment and exercise of human rights. This holistic philosophy centred on the socio-economic conditions of realization of human rights is being increasingly developed by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, while the European Court stands a step back from this movement.