If the sheer number of references to human rights in media headlines or government statements is of any guidance, human rights concerns now appear virtually at the center of the framework of the norms, principles, and obligations that shape relations within the international community both among and within states. That political journey began, perhaps arbitrarily, on 10 December, 1948, when the United Nations General Assembly (UN-GA) embraced and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a ringing endorsement and advocacy of the notion that regardless of race, religion or nationality, all men and women, everywhere in the world are entitled to the human rights and fundamental freedoms simply because they are human. The Historical Dictionary of Human Rights covers the history of the Human Rights movement through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 1000 cross-referenced entries on terminology, conventions, treaties, intergovernmental organizations in the United Nations family or regional bodies, and the constantly expanding universe of non-governmental organizations, as well as some of the pioneers and defenders. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Human Rights movement.

Author Biography

Jacques Fomerand had a lengthy career with the United Nations and when he retired in 2003 he was the Director of the United Nations University Office in North America. Since then he has taught in the United Nations Program of Occidental College where he is currently the Assistant Director of the Program. He also currently teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He is widely published on matters related to international relations, international organization, human rights and global human security issues at the United Nations and he is the author of Historical Dictionary of the United Nations.