Since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has experienced a reversal from democratization to a Soviet-style authoritarian regime and has been accused of repressive approaches to human rights. Here, Simon Payaslian juxtaposes a masterful survey of the history of the Armenian people from the nineteenth century through the first republic (1918-21) and Sovietization to the present, with the evolution of international human rights standards, and argues that a statist and authoritarian political culture has impeded political liberalization and institutionalization of human rights principles. Highlighting the clash between sovereignty on one side and human rights and democracy on the other, this comprehensive and in-depth analysis is essential for all those interested in human rights, democratization, political repression and the former Soviet republics.

Auteur

Simon Payaslian is the Charles K. and Elisabeth M. Kenosian Professor in Modern Armenian History and Literature at Boston University. He is the author of 'The History of Armenia: From the Origins to the Present' (2007) and 'United States Policy toward the Armenian Question and the Armenian Genocide' (2005).

Contenu

List of Maps and Tables
Preface
1 An Overview
2 The History of Armenia and the Evolution of International Human Rights
3 Political Rights under Authoritarian Rule
4 Respect for Civil Liberties and the Integrity of the Person
5 Social and Economic Rights
6 The Rights of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
Conclusion
Appendix I
Notes
Bibliography
Index