World Human Rights Guide

Today, human rights are receiving more attention worldwide than ever before. With the universal impact of television coverage, the moves to democracy by the former Eastern Bloc nations and the countries of southern Africa, a United Nations expanding its influence and effectiveness, and the increasingly educated and more socially-conscious world population, there has been a significant surge in concern for human rights victims and condemnation of their oppressors. Now available in a new edition, this unique survey--the only one of its kind--provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the human rights records in over one hundred countries, making it an essential guide for anyone concerned with, or involved in, one of the major global issues of our times.
Drawing on sources as diverse as leading world human rights organizations, official bodies and unofficial monitors, and individuals who have suffered or witnessed abuses firsthand, the World Human Rights Guide assesses the performance of every major country according to guidelines set in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various United Nations treaties. Compiled by Charles Humana, a human rights campaigner whose work has gained an international reputation, the survey is presented in the form of forty questions and answers covering both traditional human rights--such as democratic elections, freedom of speech and learning, association, and travel--and the broader area of state power--including the censorship of media, telephone tappings, summary executions and torture, independence of courts, and freedom in private affairs. The results are reprinted in their entirety, and assessed by the Humana Method to give a Human Rights Rating. It provides what the United Nations Development Programme has described as "the most systematic and extensive coverage" of the classification of human rights.
Basic facts about each nation are also provided--such as population size, political system, per capita income, and infant mortality rate--as well as a brief summary of factors that affect human rights. The guide also includes a Progress Report--the first of its kind--which compares the 1986 ratings with those for 1991 with heartening results; and an incisive introduction and full notes, explaining the meaning of the data collected, help place the report in a clear, even-handed perspective.
Nowhere else is so much vital information brought together in a single, accessible volume. In 1992, despite the progress of the last two or three years, over half the world's population live under regimes which deny the most basic human freedoms: the appearance of his authoritative study not only informs readers, but offers the clearest indictment yet of the human rights crimes being perpetrated by oppressive governments. The World Human Rights Guide is absolutely indispensable for anyone who desires a new world order based on respect for people, rather than their oppression.

About the Author:
Charles Humana, formerly of Amnesty International, is a human rights advocate currently working on women's rights worldwide, and undertaking a study of human rights contradictions in all societies.