International Human Rights Law provides a concise introduction for students new to the subject. Clearly written and broad in scope, this popular text gives a concise introduction to international human rights, including regional systems of protection and the key substantive rights. The author skillfully guides you through the complexities of the subject, making it accessible to those with little or no prior legal and/or international knowledge. Key cases and areas of debate are highlighted throughout, and a wealth of references to cases and further readings are provided at the end of each chapter. The book continues to be relied upon by students worldwide as the first book to turn to for clear and accurate coverage. It discusses the United Nations; the United Nations’ organizational structure; regional protection of human rights; Europe; the Americas; Africa; key treaties and mechanisms for monitoring, implementing, and enforcing human rights; substantive rights; equality and non-discrimination; the right to life; freedom from torture; cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment; the rights to liberty of person; equality before the law; the right to a fair trial; the right to self-determination; freedom of expression; the right to work; the right to education and human rights education; minority rights; and group rights.
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Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. Questions, discussion points and thinking points help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress and knowledge can be tested by self-test questions and exam questions at the chapter end. This chapter discusses the idea of human rights, as well as a range of political and constitutional issues to which they give rise. The general history of the international protection of human rights from which the UK system is derived is also introduced. The chapter furthermore presents examples of human rights abuses specific to the UK that are, to some extent, at the mild end of the full spectrum of human rights abuses found in other parts of Europe or in the rest of the world. The concept of human rights assumes that all reasonable human beings share the feeling that, in whatever they do, they need to accord proper respect to the dignity of all individual human beings. States and governments, in particular, must ensure that individual dignity is respected in their laws and practices.
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Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. Questions, discussion points, and thinking points help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress and knowledge can be tested by self-test questions and exam questions at the chapter end. This chapter discusses the idea of human rights, as well as a range of political and constitutional issues to which they give rise. The general history of the international protection of human rights from which the UK system is derived is also introduced. The chapter furthermore presents examples of human rights abuses specific to the UK that are, to some extent, at the mild end of the full spectrum of human rights abuses found in other parts of Europe or in the rest of the world. The concept of human rights assumes that all reasonable human beings share the feeling that, in whatever they do, they need to accord proper respect to the dignity of all individual human beings. States and governments, in particular, must ensure that individual dignity is respected in their laws and practices.
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Paola Gaeta, Jorge E. Viñuales, and Salvatore Zappalà
This chapter surveys the process of emergence of human rights law in the post-1945 era, focusing on the major milestones, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the two 1966 International Covenants, and the establishment of several regional mechanisms in Europe, the Americas, and Africa. It emphasizes the tension between traditional international law and the development of human rights as a ground-breaking doctrine after the Second World War. In essence the human rights doctrines force States to give account of how they treat all individuals, including their nationals; this make States accountable for how they administer justice, run prisons, and so on. Potentially, it can subvert their domestic orders and requires them to adhere to minimum standards agreed at international level. As a further consequence, human rights doctrines have altered the traditional configuration of the international community as driven only by the interests of States.
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Course-focused and comprehensive, the Textbook on series provide an accessible overview of the key areas on the law curriculum.
This chapter examines the rules of international law that confer protection to individuals under the law of human rights. It first considers the role and nature of human rights law and the development of the law of human rights before turning to a discussion of the protection of human rights under the United Nations through various instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966. It also looks at the role of the UN Economic and Social Council and the Human Rights Council in the development of human rights law, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 1966, other specialised agencies and subsidiary organs of the UN that are also involved in the promotion and protection of human rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 1950.
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Samantha Besson
This chapter discusses the importance of justifying human rights, particularly in response to critics. It explains the following: why we need to justify human rights; what it means to justify human rights; what the different justifications for human rights may be; and what some of the implications of the justifications of human rights may be for other key issues in human rights theory.
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Samantha Besson
This chapter discusses the importance of justifying human rights, particularly in response to critics. It explains the following: why we need to justify human rights; what it means to justify human rights; what the different justifications for human rights may be; and what some of the implications of the justifications of human rights may be for other key issues in human rights theory.
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Alice Edwards
This chapter first explains the purpose and scope of international refugee law. It then identifies the five fundamental elements of the Refugee Convention, and discusses other important parameters of international refugee law more broadly. The chapter explores the relationship between international refugee law and human rights law at the macro-level. It analyses specific aspects of refugee law—namely, the definition of a refugee, the prohibition of refoulement, refugee rights, and the ending of refugee status and solutions—and analyses how international human rights law informs them.
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Alice Edwards
This chapter examines the relationship between international refugee law and international human rights law. It first explains the purpose and scope of international refugee law. It then identifies the five fundamental elements of the Refugee Convention, and discusses other important parameters of international refugee law more broadly. The chapter then explores the relationship at the macro level. It analyses specific aspects of refugee law—namely, the definition of a refugee, the prohibition of refoulement, refugee rights, and the ending of refugee status and solutions—and how international human rights law informs them. Through this approach the chapter tackles several modern challenges such as rescue at sea, climate-related refoulement, and border closures of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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This chapter addresses international human rights and refugee law. In 1948, the General Assembly adopted the famed Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Many of its provisions have influenced the adoption of major multilateral treaties, or have come to reflect customary international law, at times through influencing the drafting of State constitutions. The UDHR has also been referred to by international courts to give weight, or to interpret, obligations contained in other treaties. Two overarching covenants were also adopted separately in 1966: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). In parallel with the emergence of human rights protection at the international level, several regional frameworks exist. The chapter then looks at the European, American, and African human rights conventions and accompanying institutions.
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Frédéric Mégret
This chapter first introduces the relationship of international human rights law to public international law, which is crucial to understanding the ‘special character’ of international human rights obligations. It then introduces the basic idea of what it means for a legal obligation to be described as ‘special’ in nature in international law, and discusses several key consequences that can be said to flow from this character in terms of reservations, enforcement, and withdrawal.
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This chapter focuses on sustainable development, part of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations. The UN Sustainable Development Goals overlap with human rights and the associated targets and indicators embody many core human rights obligations already incumbent on States. This agenda is now the focal point of technical assistance and development programmes around the world and, crucially, applies to all States, irrespective of their state of development.
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Robert McCorquodale
This chapter discusses the definition, exercise, and limitations of certain group rights, including peoples with the right of self-determination, minorities, and indigenous peoples. The right of self-determination protects a group as a group entity with regard to their political participation, as well as their control over their economic, social, and cultural activity as a group. The rights of minorities can be seen as both individual and group rights. Finally the growing recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples is considered.
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This chapter focuses on sustainable development, part of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations, and human rights. This agenda is now the focal point of technical assistance and development programmes around the world and, crucially, applies to all States, irrespective of their state of development. The UN Sustainable Development Goals overlap with, and complement, human rights. Indeed, the associated targets and indicators reflect many core human rights obligations already incumbent on States. Whilst the Sustainable Development Goals lack the force of law underpinning human rights treaties, there is little doubt that strengthening human rights in a State will support progress towards sustainable development.
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Robert McCorquodale
This chapter discusses the definition, exercise, and limitations of certain group rights, including peoples with the right to self-determination, minorities, and indigenous peoples. The right to self-determination protects a group as a group entity with regard to their political participation, as well as their control over their economic, social, and cultural activity as a group. Rights of minorities can be seen as both an individual and a group right. Finally, the growing recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples is considered.
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Edited by Daniel Moeckli, Sangeeta Shah, Sandesh Sivakumaran, and David Harris
Written by leading experts in the field, International Human Rights Law explores the essentials of international human rights law, from foundational issues to substantive rights and systems of protection. It also addresses contemporary challenges, such as climate change and pandemics, ensuring students are aware of the current and future importance of these issues. A variety of perspectives bring this multifaceted and sometimes contentious subject to life, making the book the ideal companion for students and practitioners of human rights. Breadth and depth of coverage provide a thorough and complete guide for students of international human rights law. Each chapter is written by an expert in their respective field. The book includes useful features such as chapter summaries, suggestions for further reading, and questions for reflection to stimulate further thinking on the issues considered. New to this fourth edition are chapters on rights and obligations, climate change, and pandemics.
Book
Edited by Daniel Moeckli, Sangeeta Shah, Sandesh Sivakumaran, and David Harris
Written by leading experts in the field, International Human Rights Law explores the essentials of international human rights law, from foundational issues to substantive rights and systems of protection. It also addresses contemporary challenges, such as terrorism and poverty, ensuring students are aware of the current and future importance of these issues. A variety of perspectives bring this multifaceted and sometimes contentious subject to life, making the book the ideal companion for students and practitioners of human rights. Breadth and depth of coverage provide a thorough and complete guide for students of international human rights law. Each chapter is written by an expert in their respective field. The book includes useful features such as chapter summaries, charts, and suggestions for further reading. New to this third edition are chapters on children’s rights and the regional protection of human rights.
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Theo van Boven
This chapter discusses different human rights categories. A first categorization distinguishes civil and political rights from economic, social, and cultural rights. This distinction is, however, increasingly contested, and should not disguise the mutual relationship between these rights as essential conditions for the life and well-being of the human person. A second distinction is that between the rights of individuals and the rights of collectivities, in particular indigenous peoples. Collective rights offer parameters for the effective enjoyment of individual rights. A third distinction is that between core rights and other rights, raising the issue of whether there is a ranking among human rights as to their fundamental nature. It is argued that basic substantive rights determining the life, survival, dignity, and worth of individuals and peoples may be considered as core rights. The chapter finally discusses the question of whether ‘new human rights’ are emerging. It suggests that this question be approached with caution, and that human rights should be understood in an inclusive and newly focused manner, encompassing hitherto marginalized and excluded groups and human beings.
Book
Rhona K. M. Smith
International Human Rights Law provides a concise introduction for students new to the subject. Clearly written and broad in scope, this popular text gives a concise introduction to international human rights, including regional systems of protection and the key substantive rights. The author skilfully guides you through the complexities of the subject, making it accessible to those with little or no prior legal and/or international knowledge. Key cases and areas of debate are highlighted throughout, and a wealth of references to cases and further readings are provided at the end of each chapter. The book continues to be relied upon by students worldwide as the first book to turn to for clear and accurate coverage. The book traces the unprecedented expansion in the internationally recognized rights of all people with acceptance of a human rights dimension to the quest for international peace and security following the formation of the United Nations in 1945. It examines the International Bill of Rights and the regional protection of human rights, and describes several human rights organizations including the Organization of American States and the African Union. The book discusses different types of rights, including the right to life, the right to liberty of person, and the right to an adequate standard of living, and also evaluates the monitoring, implementation, and enforcement of human rights laws.
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This chapter addresses international human rights and refugee law. In 1948, the General Assembly adopted the famed Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Many of its provisions have influenced the adoption of major multilateral treaties, or have come to reflect customary international law, at times through influencing the drafting of State constitutions. The UDHR has also been referred to by international courts to give weight to, or to interpret, obligations contained in other treaties. Two overarching covenants were also adopted separately in 1966: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). In parallel with the emergence of human rights protection at the international level, several regional frameworks exist. The chapter then looks at the European, American, and African human rights conventions and accompanying institutions.
