
Human Rights
A Very Short Introduction
Andrew Clapham(Author)
Oxford University Press
2nd Edition
Published on 26. November 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-19-870616-8 (ISBN)
Description
Today it is usually not long before a problem gets expressed as a human rights issue. Indeed, human rights law continues to gain increasing attention internationally, and must move quickly in order to keep up with a social world that changes so rapidly.
This Very Short Introduction, in its second edition, brings the issue of human rights up to date, considering the current controversies surrounding the movement. Discussing torture and arbitrary detention in the context of counter terrorism, Andrew Clapham also considers new challenges to human rights in the context of privacy, equality and the right to health. Looking at the philosophical justification for rights, the historical origins of human rights and how they are formed in law, Clapham explains what our human rights actually are, what they might be, and where the human rights movement is heading.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
This Very Short Introduction, in its second edition, brings the issue of human rights up to date, considering the current controversies surrounding the movement. Discussing torture and arbitrary detention in the context of counter terrorism, Andrew Clapham also considers new challenges to human rights in the context of privacy, equality and the right to health. Looking at the philosophical justification for rights, the historical origins of human rights and how they are formed in law, Clapham explains what our human rights actually are, what they might be, and where the human rights movement is heading.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Reviews / Votes
A highly suitable starting point for students of law, moral and ethical philosophy, history and politics. And, of course, activists in civil society movements or those who seek an accessible introduction to human rights and their relevance to current events. * Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers * This short book covers one main area of current interest very well: how the human rights movement has gained increasing attention internationally... "Clapham on Human Rights" can be summed up as one of the best titles we have read yet from OUP. * Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers *More details
Series
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Adult: General
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
15 black and white halftones and line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 172 mm
Width: 108 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
190 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-870616-8 (9780198706168)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
11/2015
2nd Edition
OUP eBook
€5.49
Available for download

E-Book
11/2015
2nd Edition
OUP eBook
€5.49
Available for download
Previous edition

Book
09/2007
Oxford University Press
€9.89
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Andrew Clapham is Professor of Public International Law at the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva. Before he joined the Graduate Institute of International Studies Institute in 1997, he was the Representative of Amnesty International to the United Nations in New York. He was the Director of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights from 2006 until 2014. His publications include The 1949 Geneva Conventions: A Commentary, co-edited with Paola Gaeta and Marco Sassoli, (OUP 2015) and The Oxford Handbook of International Law in Armed Conflict, co-edited with Paola Gaeta (OUP 2014).
Author
Professor of Public International Law at the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva
Content
Preface ; 1. Looking at rights ; 2. Historical development and contemporary concerns ; 3. Human rights foreign policy and the role of the United Nations ; 4. Torture ; 5. Deprivations of life and liberty ; 6. Balancing rights - free speech and privacy ; 7. Food, education, health, housing, and work ; 8. Discrimination and equality ; 9. The death penalty ; Final remarks ; References ; Further reading ; Annex: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights ; Index