The Convergence of National and International Human-Rights Standards in the Decisions of National Courts

The international law system based on groundbreaking  human-rights standards - which has amounted to a fundamental change in the international legal values from an outward view (state to state) to an inward view (state to nation) - has compelled all states to change their approach in domestic legal system. Moreover, to protect their identity as a civilized member of international community all states are anxious to coordinate domestic rules and regulations with progressive human-rights standards. National courts are among the main sources by which international legal standards can penetrate into national legal systems. In this paper, based on hypothesis that national judicial decisions have an evident impact on the settlement of national and international conflicts, it will be argued that by interpreting laws in line with international legal sources, national courts can strengthen human rights related standards. This role is compatible with two main theories namely, coordination and prioritization between national and international sources both of which lead to the convergence of national and international legal systems.