Whose Criticism of What?

Post- and decolonial approaches reveal colonial patterns in political practice, in thinking - and in norms. Also, Human rights are the subject of this criticism. The article traces and discusses three central lines of this criticism: the question of the holders of human rights, the problem of economic inequality and the accusation of individualism. The central thesis is that post- and decolonial criticism uncovers problems in human rights theory and practice and that this criticism should be taken seriously for the sake of human rights. This is because it can strengthen their credibility and assertiveness. A human rights claim framed and contextualized in this way is defended in the article.