Sexual offenders and human rights

Sex offenders have enforceable human rights protected by international law and codes. Therefore, they should be accorded the same rights as all human beings rather than being treated as means to an end by, for example, ineffective “tough on crime” prevention policies in order to garner public support. This essay argues that it is in the community’s best interests that the rights of sex offenders are viewed as equal, not subordinate, to those of victims. Offenders are rights-violators who have infringed upon the rights of others when offending. They are also rights-holders who need to be supported in order to function with dignity and duty-bearers who should be able to pursue their own life goals as long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others.