Customer Rating:  
Summary: A good introduction
Comment: The book starts with a brief discussion of the historical and philosophical background of human rights. This is followed by a detailed analysis of the UN, dealing with its organisational structure as well as the International Bill of Human Rights. After this, regional protection for human rights is examined, concentrating on the European, American and African models, though some other efforts are also mentioned, such as the Asian and the pan-Arabic/Islamic. Finally, there is a discussion of substantive rights clearly established in International Law, such as equality, right to life, freedom from torture etc, as well as more controversial ones, like minority rights. This textbook is clearly set out; the index at the back is useful. At the end of each chapter there is a list of literature and related websites. It is a good and well-organised introduction to the subject, but it is no more than that. It gives a solid structure of the institutions and sets out a number of issues, but it does not go any further, does not take sides and relies on a small (though well-selected) number of authors in the subject. It will give solid background information and would serve as a good starting point, especially for undergraduates. All in all, a useful first book to pick up on International Human Rights. Dan Tivadar
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