Editors' Introduction

• Author: Shaheen Azmi, Lorne Foster, Lesley Jacobs
• Pages: 9-14

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Editors’ Introduction

Shaheen Azmi, Lorne Foster, Lesley Jacobs

In the context of globalization, diversity has become an increas-

ingly valued characteristic of contemporary societies. Diverse so-

cieties are viewed as remarkable for their variety in terms of re-

ligious practices, spoken languages, ethnicities, sexualities, and

expressions of multiculturalisms. Such societies are said to allow

for a measure of openness and adaptability that enable them



demands of a global economy.

Yet, as societies have embraced and indeed aspire towards

diversity, certain challenges and tensions have become visible

that were not fully anticipated. This book focuses on one of those

challenges, the challenge of balancing competing human rights

claims. The practice of human rights has taken on increasing

complexity in Canada and other diverse societies because more

and more often around the world the claim to a right of one in-

dividual or group directly affects the claim to the human rights

of another group. Such competing human rights claims can be

played out in many places, from the classroom to workplaces,

from the public square to the international stage, wherever indi-

viduals or groups actively claim the recognition of rights that may

interfere with the access to rights of others.

Examples of these sorts of competing human rights should

be familiar to all of us. Think about religious individuals or organi-

zations that object on the grounds of the right to religious beliefs