Synopsis
Thomas Fleiner's book is an extraordinarily clear, short account of what human rights are and why they are important. Previously published in German, Russian, French and Spanish, it is soon to appear in Chinese. This is the first English translation. The 35 short chapters are a wonderful mixture of anecdote, example and analysis.
Review
Fleiner's choice of well known historical events (eg Auschwitz) and contemporary events (eg genetic experimentation) are carefully balanced throughout the book and serve as serve as salient examples of the focal human-rights issue discussed in each chapter. aEURO| What Are Human Rights? is a clearly written book that engages the reader through practical examples and thought-provoking anecdotes aEURO| Journal of Family Studies, Vol 7(2), October 2001 [An] extraordinarily clear and simple account of what human rights are and why they are so important aEURO| Each chapter begins with a little story having human rights implications, and around that story Fleiner weaves his arguments. ... In an age when human rights are on the top of the global agenda, ... this excellent book written in simple prose-style appears as a 'Bible' of human rights. Considering its overarching educative value, this can be recommended for almost everybody: police officials, judges, presidents and ministers, political leaders, professionals, school administrators and teachers as well as school students, housewives and so on. This must find a place in any educational curriculum. The West Bengal Political Science Review, Vol 3(1), January-June 2000 [ This] is a timely publication. What the author seeks to do is take human rights out of the theoretical and highly technical realm and place it in a context that will have meaning to the average person. Fleiner achieves this not only through the presentation and language of the book, but also through his writing style. 1999 Australian International Law Journal ... a most useful and stimulating introduction to human rights. ... It will be useful for the lawyer wanting to know something more about human rights and their application in a legal context. It will also be useful as a point of reference when human rights issues arise, because of the clear rights framework within which various issues are discussed. And ... it is a good, quick and stimulating read. Australian Law Journal, Vol 73, December 1999
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