Modern recognition of international human rights emerged at the end of World War II with the atrocities of Nazi Germany vividly in mind. The United Nations was formed and among its express purposes was the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. These basic concepts were incorporated into the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948. The Universal Declaration is the best known and most cited human rights document in the world and is incorporated in the constitutions and laws of many countries.
Human rights law has since gained prominence as a universally recognized set of norms and standards applicable to our relations as individuals, within communities and among nations. Among the contemporary applications of international human rights laws is the evolving concept of corporate social responsibility, protection of refugees, asylum, human trafficking and tort claims in U.S. courts by aliens for violations of human rights occurring abroad.
Russell Kerr has a Master of International Law degree from the University of San Diego Law School and is the past Chair of the State Bar of California International Law Section and American Bar Association Section of International Law Human Rights Committee. He is currently the editor of the ABA-SIL Human Rights Committee Newsletter. You may subscribe to this newsletter.
For more information on current international human rights practices see the 2007 US Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Released March 11, 2008).
