The Receptor Approach: A New Human Rights Kid on the Block or Old Wine in New Bags? A Commentary on Professor Zwart's Article in HRQ

In his article, Using Local Culture to Further the Implementation of International Human Rights: The Receptor Approach, Tom Zwart introduces the receptor approach, an alternative view on the implementation of international human rights that could promote the cultural legitimacy of international human rights law. Zwart’s introduction of the receptor approach is a remarkable contribution to the ongoing discussion on the implementation of international human rights standards and the role of cultural communities and institutions. However, we are not convinced of the usefulness or the necessity of the receptor approach. We argue here that the receptor approach does not add much to the existing international human rights framework and that Zwart’s arguments can be confusing.