ABSTRACT
Legal globalization has, in the past 15-20 years, resulted in the emergence of numerous common principles and standards, in particular in the human rights field. The chapter argues the developments, sovereignty has come under increasing pressure. This is in particular the case after the end of the Cold War. It is hypothesized that both the Augusto Pinochet case and the 'humanitarian war' against Serbia to save civilian lives, represents a much deeper transformation that might put the individual at the center of attention in international society in the new millennium. The chapter illustrates the transformation by analyzing recent cases and by providing an overview over the development of the concept of sovereignty and human rights in different historical epoques. It concludes by a critical examination of whether human rights at all can be generalized and promoted as a universal value across cultural differences.
