For a genealogy of human rights: on modernity and coloniality

Abstract

This article consists of a brief genealogy of knowledge production and historical affirmation of Human Rights, given the path of western expansion, eurocentric thinking and universal modernity. In this context, the work questions the limits of the concept and criticize modernity/coloniality and humanism of Human Rights. In this text, there is a need to confront Human Rights when they assume the legacy of modernity, as much as it is necessary to take in account, rescue and emphasize knowledge that was subjected, excluded and concealed during the course of western formation of these rights. Likewise, it is necessary to strengthen the entire history of resistance, social struggle and institutional change associated with these rights, which are also decisive for their formation.