Bonny Ibhawoh Books

An interpretative history of human rights in Africa, exploring indigenous rights traditions, anti-slavery, anti-colonialism, post-colonial violations and pro-democracy movements.

Exploring the intersection of European imperialism and human rights in African history, Bonny Ibhawoh focuses on British-colonized Nigeria to reveal how various colonial interest groups manipulated rights language for their own agendas. He critiques the prevailing notion of linear progress in human rights, illustrating that these discourses were complex and served to both uphold power and enable change. By utilizing archival materials, the study highlights how concepts like "civilization" and "modernity" were instrumental in justifying imperial rule.