Introduction 1 History: shared heritage, common struggle 2 Human rights in the world community 3 International obligation 4 Universality 5 Equality 6 Democracy 7 Development 8 International cooperation and dialogue 9 Protection 10 Justice, remedy, and reparation 11 Conclusion

Bertrand G. Ramcharan, formerly Professor at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, is President of the Non-Governmental Organization, UPR Info.

Written by a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2003-4), this book has been fully updated for a second edition and continues to provide a much needed, short and accessible introduction to the foundational human rights ideas of our times.