Contemporary Human Rights Ideas

The vindication of human rights is a critical challenge of a new century. Yet, there is much contestation over rights in a globalising, post 9-11 world, as human rights idea comes into contact with different cultures and with societies in varying stages of development. Leaders of government and civil society, and the academic world, are in need of policy and normative frameworks for treading the way forward in responding to these global challenges. Written by a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2003-2004), this book examines the foundation human rights ideas of our times and shows that every government is under international obligation to respect and uphold universal human rights. In developing this argument, Bertrand G. Ramcharan answers the following questions; Where have rights come from? Have different societies contributed to the development of ideas of law, justice, and rights? Who determines what a right is? What sources of human rights obligations are mandatory upon governments? What is the basis for universal human rights? What does it mean that all are entitled to enjoy rights equally under international law? What is the concept of international cooperation for the universal realization of human rights? What does the concept of international protection of human rights mean and who can implement it? How can we advance the quest for justice for the victims of gross violations of human rights? Contemporary Human Rights Ideas is a much needed, short and accessible introduction to the key human rights concepts, the current debates, strategies and institutions for taking forward the global implementation of human rights.Ramcharan, Bernard G. is the author of 'Contemporary Human Rights Ideas' with ISBN 9780415774567 and ISBN 041577456X.