a) The modest localized European origins of the modern notion of human rights does not detract from its later paradigmatic universality anymore than the humble rise of Islam in two insignificant desert towns on the edge of the Roman Empire detracted from its consequent universality and sweep. Similar things may be said about the relationship of Christianity's equally modest and localized origins in a neglected and despised district of the same Roman Empire to its subsequent paradigmatic universality, hegemony and comprehensiveness. b) The common good represented in the notion of human rights did not come about gratis, but had to be painfully, slowly and very imperfectly conquered over several centuries and at a very heavy price in terms of wars, revolutions and much sacrifice, and human suffering. This is one reason why it deserves to be defended, elaborated and expanded along with the other human goods that we know of and have come to take for granted.

c) Even in those parts of the world, Muslim and otherwise, where human rights and the values attendant on them are most flagrantly violated and/or ignored, some public and official lip service has to be paid to them, or at least to some version of them, by offending governments and political regimes and forces in search of self-justification and self-legitimation both nationally and internationally. This simply testifies to the legitimacy, strength and efficacy that the human rights paradigm has universally acquired by now even in the eyes of its enemies. In fact, experience has shown that the moment these enemies fall prey to the persecution of their own enemies, the first thing they appeal to in self-defense are the recognized universal principles of human rights with plenty of emphasis on their universality and inclusiveness.