Should there be a balance between state sovereignty and universal human rights? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes, there should be a balance.

State sovereignty or the power of the state on matters relating to its own territory, people, and government, must always be exercised within certain boundaries, one of which is that where respect for human rights is concerned. Without this limitation, the State gathers unlimited strength which can be used by power holders (government leaders) to use and abuse their position to serve their own benefit.

Universal human rights must be respected. However, they are not absolute. Limitations also exist. Their exercise must neither interfere with the rights of another party (which can be a person, an entity, the government, or an agent of the government) nor contravene well-established public morals and public policy.

With a balance between state power and citizen rights, both the state and the citizenry may coexist harmoniously, each enjoying its right without affecting or downplaying the other.

Of course, this is just an academic discussion, purely theoretical and highly opinionated. In actual practice, each country has a different political system. The balance may or may not be there, might be present in another form, or altogether not put in place.