This is a comprehensive and timely guide to the United Nations (UN) human rights machinery. Today, virtually all UN bodies and specialized agencies are undertaking efforts to incorporate the promotion or protection of human rights into their programs and activities. "The United Nations and Human Rights" examines these recent initiatives within the broader context of human rights practice. It provides the most up-to-date and incisive analysis of this increasingly important area of global politics. Issues that are examined include: - the historical and philosophical development of the UN human rights system - the UN structures and procedures for addressing human rights - changes to the UN human rights machinery post-9/11 - the managing of international conflict - the promotion of individual rights - the advancement of agendas of social movements This book is essential reading for students and practitioners of human rights, international relations and international law.

Table of Contents

1. The historical and philosophical development of the UN human rights system; 2. Contemporary UN structures and procedures for addressing human rights issues; 3. Key criticisms; 4. Evaluating the success and failure; 5. The future of the UN human rights machinery;

Author Biography

Julie Mertus is Assistant Professor in the School of International Service, American University, Washington DC, USA. Her teaching and research interests are in the areas of ethnic conflict, human rights, refugee and humanitarian law and policy, gender and conflict, transnational civil society and post-conflict transition. She is author or editor of over two dozen academic articles and six books. She was formerly a fellow in human rights at Harvard Law School and a Senior Fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace.