The article argues that in the light of the many continuing gross abuses of international human rights perpetrated in many parts of the world and the growing disillusionment with the international human rights regime as a whole, the regime needs comprehensive reassessment.  It is argued that the underlying cause of this situation is the disunity of the present global system and its competing systems of governance.  The author suggests that incremental improvements over time are no longer sufficient and that if real change is desired for the better , and then a significant global change towards a more united and just world order is required.  Otherwise, we can expect to see many more gross abuses of international human rights of the worst kind, among other things.  The author argues that such a significant change is supportable on the grounds of reason and conscience, as well as of morality and spirituality.

 

Key words: International human rights regime, effectiveness, globalisation, supranational, global governance, unity, federation.