Economic Development and Human Rights in Contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa

This book explores the connections between economic development and the protection of human rights. Drawing on experiences from Sub-Saharan African countries, the book demonstrates how various economic activities impact the protection of human rights in Sub-Saharan Africa. The book explores the core concepts and principles, theory and practice, accountability mechanisms, and key challenges to the protection of human rights in Sub-Saharan Africa in the era of global economic development. It also shows the ways in which human rights law and development can be used to obtain relief for the victims of environmental degradation or adverse effects of climate change in Africa. In addition, it places emphasis on development and economic policies to highlight the pros and cons of using human rights-based approaches and its significance in the context of economic development and human rights in Africa.

The book is divided into three parts: Part I focuses on the conceptual and theoretical foundations of human rights and economic developments in Africa and covers essential concepts, historical perspectives, the African human rights framework, human rights litigation, and comparative approaches. Part II addresses the intersection of economic development and human rights in Sub-Saharan Africa, including human rights and individual liberties in the context of economic empowerment of citizens; human rights and the development of regional economic integration; human rights and economic independence; human rights and the economic empowerment of vulnerable groups; and human rights and cultures. The third and final part focuses on challenges and prospects of human rights and the economy in Sub-Saharan Africa by taking a closer look at human rights and globalization, cultural relativism, science and technology, state sovereignty, and governance structures and systems.

The book is intended for researchers, policymakers, university students, and practitioners in international human rights law, environmental law, natural resources law and development.