The right to life is the cornerstone of human rights protection. This book explores the mechanisms and procedures through which at international level the attempt is made to safeguard human life against all structural threats, even in armed conflict.

Christian Tomuschat, Professor Emeritus, Humboldt University Berlin, Faculty of Law. He was a member of the UN Human Rights Committee (1977 to 1986) and the UN International Law Commission (1985 to 1996). Author of Human Rights. Between Idealism and Realism (2nd. ed. 2008).