Magna Carta for all Humanity

Francesca Klug is a Professorial Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Human Rights at the London School of Economics and has researched, written and lectured on human rights for 25 years. She is a former Commissioner on the Equality and Human Rights Commission and advised on the model for incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights reflected in the UK’s Human Rights Act.

'If you read one book on rights this is it - a global citizen's guidebook to human rights, infused with the compassion and ethics which are the hallmark of Francesca Klug.' - Baroness Helena Kennedy QC'Professor Francesca Klug, one of Britain’s most distinguished authorities, offers an intellectual and personal exploration of the Universal Declaration of 1948 and the very idea of human rights.' - Professor Philippe Sands, University College London'This is an outstanding account of how, in a fast moving world, human rights have developed into ethical values for pluralist societies. It draws on history, politics and law with all the authority and insight of an insider who helped to shape recent stages of the journey in the UK.' Sir Keir Starmer QCI do not know of a better introduction to thinking about the field, written with such a relevant purpose. The book is also very well written and eschews dry academic style in favour of the voice of passionate personal commitment but not at the loss of erudition or balance. There are not many good reads in our field; this is one. - Sir Nigel Rodney is Chair of the Human Rights Centre, University of Essex

• INTRODUCTION: The Magna Carta: marvel or myth? SECTION ONE: HUMAN RIGHTS: A TIME TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE. 1. First stop: in search of British values. 2. Fast -forward to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 3. Exploring the Human Rights Ethic. 4. The meaning of ‘universal’. 5. Conclusion: inspiration or foundation? Section One Anthology of other work by the author.SECTION TWO: WHEN UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS HIT HOME: THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT CONTROVERSY UNCUT. 6. The disputed parentage of the ECHR. 7. On the road to the HRA. 8. Principles and values. 9. Critiques and Controversies. 10. Back to the future? 11. Conclusion: Human Rights: endgame or lit flame? Section Two Anthology of other work by the author.