In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

SINCE THE writing of the initial Handbook the author has had the opportunity to observe his students in the United States and in Europe test-driving it in class and using it in term papers. He has received many favorable comments from around the world of those who have been helped by it. The feedback has been positive enough to let him know that the thousands of hours put into its writing were not in vain. The Handbook has helped students, lawyers, human rights activists, government agents, and the average citizen increase the understanding of that body of human knowledge known as human rights. As anticipated, the author also received constructive criticism, well taken and valid corrections, and suggestions for new terms not found in the original edition. Thanks to all those who cared enough about human rights to give the author their valuable input. The need for this second edition came about because the world of human rights law, politics, and institutions has been slowly evolving since the initial edition, and some terms have had to be changed to reflect a change in accepted terminology or the name of a particular forum or procedure. On top of all that, 9/11 occurred. This launched the “war on terrorism,” which gave rise to or brought back again such terms as terrorism, enemy combatant, unilateralism , anticipatory self defense, material breach, and national security. In the interpretation and application of these terms rests the lives of many human beings and a potential for billions of dollars of destruction caused by terrorism and the armed conflict that may ensue to combat it. Many see the present world as a more dangerous place for human rights and fundamental freedoms than ever before. The international community has said that the solution to the world’s problems is human rights education at all levels, for everyone, so that the world transforms from a planet of violence and hostile use of force into one characterized by a culture of human rights and peace in a rule of law society. This second edition picks up where the first ended and is an attempt to again further the understanding of human rights by increasing the understanding of the terms • PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION • used therein. Many new human rights texts of all varieties are appearing on bookshelves , and still, few of them will define the human rights terms they use, so as to assure full understanding and comprehension. Would that we all understood the language of human rights well enough that that would not be a problem. May this book help in that regard. The Handbook has now been translated into several foreign languages, and it is the author’s intention that it be translated into still others. In addition, it is the author’s intention that a more portable and paperback edition of this second edition be produced so as to see its use expand. What the world needs now is not more soldiers trained to kill or destroy in order to stop others from killing or destroying, but more humans educated in human rights, who are capable and willing to challenge governments to abide by the human rights norms that are the birthright of all human beings and were painfully birthed in the crucible of the holocaust. No justice, no peace. Let us all work together for the promotion and protection of human rights by first learning them ourselves at school or online or elsewhere. And let us teach them to our children, the future of this planet. The time for war should be no more. Let us promote justice and peace through increase in the knowledge of and action for human rights. viii • Preface to the Second Edition ...

Share