Research Handbook on the Politics of Human Rights Law

Research Handbooks in Law and Politics series

Edited by Bård A. Andreassen, Professor of Human Rights and Director, Norwegian Center for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Oslo, Norway

International human rights law is undoubtedly intertwined with politics, and so this Research Handbook explores and provokes reflection on how politics impacts human rights legislation and, conversely, how human rights law shapes politics and the functioning of the state. Bringing together leading international scholars in human rights law and politics, the Research Handbook provides theoretical reflections and empirical analyses across the areas of governance and policies and examines the implementation mechanisms of human rights law in national and international jurisdictions.

‘Shall politics follow the law, or shall the law follow politics? This Research Handbook, edited and written by some of the world’s leading scholars of law, political science and other disciplines, provides an excellent analysis of the interdependence of law and politics in the field of human rights. International human rights treaties are drafted and adopted by diplomats and politicians and are implemented in a highly politicized process. Nevertheless, international human rights law develops an independent meaning that strongly impacts politics.’
——人类教授曼弗雷德·诺瓦克Rights, Vienna and Secretary General of the Global Campus of Human Rights

‘This impressive book is indispensable for anyone who wants to understand how politics are impacting and permeating human rights performances and how human rights is shaping and structuring politics. The insightful volume contributes to the understanding of the immense pressures human rights are under from perspectives of governance, distributive justice and also in international relations. Apart from offering deep analysis, each chapter contributes outlooks for the future.’
– Morten Kjaerum, Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Sweden