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Speaking Rights to Power or Governing Through Rights? Making Rights Matter in the Security Field

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A Research Agenda for a Human Rights Centred Criminology

Part of the book series: Palgrave Critical Studies in Human Rights and Criminology ((PCSHRC))

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Abstract

Human rights are commonly regarded as the antidote to criminalization and securitization. Yet, since 9/11, at both the national and international levels, human rights law has largely accommodated the security-oriented changes deemed necessary to combat terrorism. In this chapter, I draw on two case studies to argue that how human rights are being institutionalized has affected the operation of power: we are being governed through rights (Golder B, Social & Legal Studies 20:283–312, 2011) in ways consistent with conditions of authoritarian liberalism (Dean 2007). Based on this analysis, the final part of the chapter discusses the process of reform and revival of rights in the field of security, particularly in an age of ‘security populism’ (Lazarus L, Goold B (eds) (2019) Security and human rights (2nd ed.). Hart Publishing, Portland, OR, pp 1–26). This includes discussion of a future criminological research agenda incorporating empirical research into human rights discourse and claims-making.

Parts of this chapter were first published as: Hamilton, Claire and Randy K. Lippert. (2020). Governing Through Human Rights in Counter-terrorism: Proofing, Problematization and Securitization. Critical Criminology 28 (1): 127–145. Springer Nature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Law and Criminology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland

    Claire Hamilton

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  1. Claire Hamilton
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Correspondence to Claire Hamilton .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Canberra Law School, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Leanne Weber

  2. College of Business, Government & Law, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Marinella Marmo

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Hamilton, C. (2024). Speaking Rights to Power or Governing Through Rights? Making Rights Matter in the Security Field. In: Weber, L., Marmo, M. (eds) A Research Agenda for a Human Rights Centred Criminology. Palgrave Critical Studies in Human Rights and Criminology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46289-4_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46289-4_3

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