International Human Rights in Context: Law, Politics, Morals

by Henry J. Steiner, Philip Alston

The second edition of this widely acclaimed textbook has been completely revised to include developments in international human rights over the last five years. Retaining its unique approach and style, the book includes questions, problem cases, and a wide range of carefully edited materials from both primary and secondary sources. Gender topics are integrated into the general text where relevant; judicial opinions on constitutional issues by the national courts are also included. This edition offers more topics dealing with cultural variety, such as relating and personal law regimes. In addition, new information is provided on international humanitarian law and the laws of war, including the International Criminal Tribunal.

Genres: Law, Nonfiction, Textbooks

1497 pages, Paperback

First published February 29, 1996

About the author

Henry J. Steiner is an Emeritus Jeremiah Smith, Jr. Professor of Law at Harvard University. His research interests concern issues of human rights and international law.

He is the founder of the Human Rights Program (HRP) at Harvard Law School, a nearly thirty-year-old program dedicated to incorporating students, faculty, and human rights organizations into the study of international human rights through applied research, regular speaker series, as well as conferences and reports.

He received his B.A. in Modern European History and Literature, M.A. in International Affairs, and LL.B. all from Harvard University.

(source: http://www.utexas.edu/cola/orgs/wgold...)

Reviews

[sologdin · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a standard case book, though there are reports of decisions. includes the text of various HR conventions, with articles, UNGA resolutions, declarations, and whatnot. not sure if this is the best approach, but considering that this area of law is more nebulous than most, might be the only way to do it.

[peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty comprehensive book on international human rights... sort of like the bible on it. a good primer for anyone wanting a good intro to the subject. haven't read it in a few yrs, but i think i recall being slightly disappointed with its handling of certain topics ... i think it glosses over a few topics that i thought deserved much more attention. i forget which ones, haha... what a terrible review.

[edit] as j.kou said, yes, it is a textbook so it's dense and for the most part boring. hm, yeah... read something.

[Megan Mercer · Rating 4 out of 5]

International law is itself incredibly ambiguous. So when you start talking about international human rights, you've got a great forum for discussing old and new ideas. The only things in this book that are constant are the binding conventions and source doctrines...everything else is up for discussion making for very interesting debate. It forces you to understand the ongoing problems with implementing human rights and law in the world.

[Phil Ammar]

Reading this book for class. Its not bad though, and I'd probably read this outside of class too.

[Kyla Dahlquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tome provides an appropriately complex look at human rights. It is a fantastic broad lens take on the contemporary system.

[Aj Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very long, but very comprehensive