Cambridge University Press International Human Rights: A Survey

This book provides an interdisciplinary overview of international human rights issues, offering truly international coverage that includes related issues in the Global South. Considering the philosophical foundations of human rights, Chen and Renteln explore the interpretive difficulties associated with identifying what constitutes human rights abuses, and evaluate various perspectives on human rights. This book goes on to analyze institutions that strive to promote and enforce human rights standards, including the United Nations system, regional human rights bodies, and domestic courts. It also discusses a wide variety of substantive human rights including genocide, torture, capital punishment, and other cruel and unusual punishments. In particular, the book offers an accessible introduction to key understudied topics within human rights, such as socioeconomic rights, cultural rights, and environmental rights. It also focuses on the rights of marginalized groups, including children's rights, rights of persons with disabilities, women's rights, labor rights, indigenous rights, and LGBTQ+ rights, making this an engaging and invaluable resource for the contemporary student. Review 'What a tour de force … readable, accessible, and analytically rigorous … As the world commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this timely book provides a teachable review of some of the most pressing human rights topics from interdisciplinary perspectives. It is strategically designed to enable readers to act on their sense of justice to move toward fairer horizons.' Rebecca J. Cook, Professor of Law Emerita, University of Toronto, Canada 'Its approach is likely to engage an audience that goes beyond the usual suspects – lawyerly and academic circles. Highly recommended.' Christian Courtis, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 'Renteln and Chen's tremendous International Human Rights: A Survey provides a thoroughly modern account of international human rights. Without shying away from controversies, it goes beyond a standard legal analysis, embracing perspectives from different disciplines and tackling the normative architecture, contextual dimensions, and cultural complexities, as well as the perennial enforcement challenges. A powerful and ambitious work that will stand as an invaluable resource for academics and practitioners.' Siobhan McInerney-Lankford, Senior Counsel, World Bank 'International Human Rights: A Survey is a monumental achievement, integrating careful theoretical exposition of human rights with practical considerations. Renteln and Chen masterfully analyze the promises and challenges facing those concerned with the betterment of the human condition, and offer wise and practical counsel for navigating the fraught circumstances in which they approach their goals. This book is a signal achievement, and an essential resource for anyone interested in human rights.' Robert A. Rubinstein, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Professor of International Relations, Syracuse University, USA 'Renteln and Chen's interdisciplinary approach succeeds in bringing the field of human rights to life. The book introduces students to the topic in a clear and persuasive manner that is bound to trigger their fascination with it. By choosing a cross-cultural angle, the authors honor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which regards human rights as a 'big tent.' The book deserves the widest possible international audience.' Tom Zwart, Tom Zwart, Professor of Cross-cultural Law, Utrecht University, The Netherlands 'A comprehensive critical coverage of the evolution of the human rights movement at national, regional and international levels. It also explores emerging issues we can no longer ignore today like protection of the environment, rights of persons with disabilities and of LGBTQ+ people. These are not only pertinent to the North, but