This book presents a discussion on the universalism of human rights from national perspectives across the world. Universalism is often contrasted with cultural autonomy. The question of to what extent the idea of human rights is accepted and practiced as a universal concept arises. This includes a further question of the nature of the human rights’ normativity. The book is based on the national reports of 23 countries submitted to the XVIIIth International Congress of the International Academy of Comparative Law, held from July 25th to August 1st, 2010 in Washington, DC. The great interest in the questions of universalism of human rights was con fi rmed by a vivid debate on this topic during the Congress’ session. In this respect, special gratitude is expressed to the Session’s Chairman Prof. Patrick Glenn of the McGill University Faculty of Law, Montreal (Canada). I am very grateful to the Springer International Publishing House for their continuing support in helping to realize this book. I owe particular thanks to Dr. Anna Lytvynyuk for her valuable assistance in this project.