The current paradigm of international human rights law (IHRL) is predicated on the exercise of state power over the territory it controls. The research program challenges the accuracy and adequacy of this paradigm through the mapping and investigation of new spaces of exercise of power and influence over persons, both of which fall under a new de-territorialized normative paradigm. The latter is created by new technology, migration, economic globalization, religion, or, conversely, molded by global issues such as natural resource management, environmental concerns and public health. It proposes a radical shift in the theory of international human rights law, laying the ground for practical and feasible reforms in the existing IHRL framework, in order to enable its accommodation of the paradigm shift without reducing the scope of guaranteed protection.

Link to Full Abstract

Yuval Shany