This master's thesis, based on the theory of social constructivism, explores how different interpretations of international human rights norms by certain states, which are often labeled as non-democratic, are reflected in their regional co-operation and in the process of forming the international regime for human rights protection at the regional level. Based on two case studies of the development of regional human rights pillars within the League of Arab States and within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations the thesis demonstrates that those different interpretations are reflected in the creation of tailored regional normative frameworks. These frameworks largely reflect sets of human rights norms that the selected states have identified as problematic already in their reservations to international human rights treaties and have subsequently embraced them within the respective regional level so as to align the system with the local environment and state identities. Still, through their activities in this field, these states aim to signal to the international community that they respect human rights. Additionally, the thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of how the development of the international structure and global events shape the process of regionalisation of international protection of human rights.
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