International Human Rights in Context: Law, Politics, Morals: Text and Materials

by Henry J. Steiner, Philip Alston

International Human Rights in Context presents diverse materials consisting of extensive authors' text and questions; sharply edited primary materials ranging from intergovernmental or NGO reports to treaties, resolutions and decisions; and excerpts from secondary readings in law and legal
theory, as well as other pertinent fields such as international relations, moral and political theory, and anthropology. The book introduces students to those organizing concepts and topics of public international law that are vital to understanding human rights issues. It stresses throughout the
relationships among human rights norms, processes and institutions, as well as relationships between international and internal orders. The topics include civil and political rights, economic and social rights, intergovernmental and non-governmental institutions, universal and regional regimes,
human rights and foreign policy, democratization, women's rights, self determination and autonomy regimes, individual criminal responsibility, and development. The book's broad themes include universalism and cultural relativism, rights or duties as organizing conceptions, the relevance of the
private-public distinction, and transformed conceptions of statehood and sovereignty.

Genres: Law, Nonfiction, Textbooks

1284 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