Human rights : between idealism and realism

Abstract

A fully updated second edition of this personal statement on a broad area by a hugely influential scholar and practitioner. Combines conceptual analysis with exploration of procedures and mechanisms of implementation. This edition examines additional topical issues including human rights and the fight against terrorism, targeted killings, and the debate on human rights responsibilities of private entities such as multinational corporations New to this edition: A new chapter draws out the general framework of human rights, including the individual as a holder of human rights, the concepts of 'responsibility to protect' and 'human security' and exploration of human rights and emergency situations including the fight against terrorism Includes coverage of the Human Rights Council and of human rights under the EU charter project Examines the debate on private entities, such as multinational corporations, and human rights. Human Rights between Idealism and Realism presents human rights in action, focusing on their effectiveness as legal tools designed to benefit human beings. By combining conceptual analysis with an emphasis on procedures and mechanisms of implementation, this volume provides a multidimensional overview of human rights. After examining briefly the history of human rights, the author analyses the intellectual framework that forms the basis of their legitimacy. In particular, he covers the concept of universality and the widely used model that classifies human rights. into clusters of different 'generations'.