Human rights

Commonwealth books on human rights aim to strengthen the respect, protection and promotion of human rights across the Commonwealth. 

Contributor: Purna Sen
Publication date: 1 August 2009
Format: Paperback

Describes the human rights Universal Periodic Review mechanism, shares experiences, and provides analysis of the Commonwealth countries that reported in the first year of the UPR process, by speaking equally to the three major stakeholders in the process - states, national human rights institutions and civil society organisations.

Contributor: Purna Sen, Jade Cochran
Publication date: 1 December 2008
Format: Paperback

Presents a comprehensive survey of the state of human rights, as measured by each country's formal engagement with the main international standards and norms, across the fifty-three member countries of the association. This report also includes articles on key human rights themes of global relevance.

Publication date: 1 November 2007
Format: Paperback

While many countries seek to improve their capacity to protect and promote human rights in accordance with constitutional imperatives and Commonwealth values, they often lack a clear roadmap on how to do so. Currently, there is no single and easy-to-use model which Commonwealth countries can use as a basis for planning the process.

Publication date: 1 November 2007
Format: Paperback

This is the first Commonwealth-wide comparative study of national human rights institutions (NHRIs), and is designed to help everyone interested in establishing and developing NHRIs to improve their effectiveness.

Publication date: 1 October 2004
Format: Paperback

The purpose of this book is to contribute to current policy-making, programme planning and implementation on gender and human rights. It is intended for a wide audience of policy-makers, magistrates, judges and lawyers, academics and civil society organisations grappling with these issues.

Contributor: Yash Ghai, Jill Cottrell
Publication date: 1 May 2004
Format: Paperback

Examines the record of jurisdictions in which attempts have been made at judicial enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights. Contributions provide insights into the methods, specificity, and limits of judicial enforcement.

Publication date: 1 January 2003
Format: Paperback

There is a history of case law within the Commonwealth where there have been legal challenges to unconstitutional overthrow of Governments. The courts as well as the Commonwealth refused to recognise the legality of such changes. This publication is a compilation of relevant cases.

Contributor: John Hatchard
Publication date: 1 January 2003
Format: Paperback

This title provides an overview of some of the key legal issues that affect youth in Commonwealth countries. The issues covered fall, directly or indirectly, within the scope of the Harare Commonwealth Declaration of 1991.

Series title: Best Practice
Publication date: 1 January 2003
Format: Paperback

Trafficking of people (mostly women and children) for commercial sexual activities and forced labour is one of the fastest growing areas of international criminal activity – and one that is of huge concern. Trafficking in humans is now considered the third largest source of organised crime after drugs and arms.

Series title: Best Practice Series
Publication date: 1 January 2003
Format: Paperback

The victims of crime are sometimes overlooked when reforming the criminal justice systems of countries. These guidelines set out best practice in this area.

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