Dr Noha Shawki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at the Illinois State University, USA. Dr Michaelene Cox is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at the Illinois State Universtiy, USA.

'...a superb contribution to the scant literature on this very important subject. Its insightful chapters represent a challenge to the usual discourse on the subject. It represents a groundbreaking and humane explanation of the linkage between sovereignty and human rights. It is a must read for scholars, students and political analysts.' Jamal R. Nassar, California State University, USA 'Brings together a fascinating collection of articles that explore new concerns and issues in the arena of international human rights politics. The critical evaluation of changing dynamics between state and human rights and the attention paid to new human right actors such as non governmental organizations, epistemic communities and multinational corporations will be of interest not only to professional social scientists but to policy makers, activists and anyone concerned about human rights, social justice, freedom and peace.' Sandya Hewamanne, Wake Forest University, USA 'Provides a window into cutting edge developments in the field of human rights across a spectrum of issues, actors, institutions and norms. Contributors lay the groundwork by examining new challenges to state sovereignty and immunity through such institutional developments as the International Criminal Court, truth commissions, and the responsibility to protect; and across issues spanning mobilization to meet millennium development goals, the urgency of climate change, international control of small arms and light weapons, and the rights of persons with disabilities. The case studies are both conceptually and theoretically grounded, and bring together practitioner and scholarly perspectives that enrich comprehension of the dynamics of international relations from local to global contexts.' Janie Leatherman, Fairfield University, USA

• Introduction, Noha Shawki, Michaelene Cox; Part I Actors, Institutions, and Institutional Innovations; Chapter 1 Redefining Sovereignty: Humanitarianism’s Challenge to Sovereign Immunity, Anne L. Clunan; Chapter 2 Sovereignty Transformed? The Role of National Human Rights Institutions, Sonia Cardenas; Chapter 3 A New Actor in Human Rights Politics? Transgovernmental Networks of National Human Rights Institutions, Noha Shawki; Chapter 4 Universalism Meets Sovereignty at the International Criminal Court, Benjamin N. Schiff; Chapter 5 The Responsibility to Protect: Embracing Sovereignty and Human Rights, Cristina G. Badescu; Chapter 6 Human Rights and Soft Law: Alternative Paths for New Challenges, Daniel B. Braaten; Chapter 7 Judging Truth: The Contributions of Truth Commissions in Post-Conflict Environments, Eric Brahm; Part II Current Issues in International Human Rights; Chapter 8 Documenting Human Rights Abuses Among the Diaspora: Lessons Learned from the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Patricia B. Minikon, Susan Shepler; Chapter 9 Viewing the Millennium Development Goals through Prisms of IR Theory: An Intersection of Human Rights and State Interests, Michaelene Cox; Chapter 10 Human Rights, Glocal Ecopolitics, and Contested Landscapes of Sovereignty, Peter J. Stoett; Chapter 11 The Transnational Effort for Disability Rights: The Marriage of Disability Rights to Human Rights, Kenneth R. Rutherford; Chapter 12 Small Arms, Sovereign States and Human Rights, Suzette R. Grillot;

Dr Noha Shawki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at the Illinois State University, USA. Dr Michaelene Cox is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at the Illinois State Universtiy, USA.

'...a superb contribution to the scant literature on this very important subject. Its insightful chapters represent a challenge to the usual discourse on the subject. It represents a groundbreaking and humane explanation of the linkage between sovereignty and human rights. It is a must read for scholars, students and political analysts.' Jamal R. Nassar, California State University, USA 'Brings together a fascinating collection of articles that explore new concerns and issues in the arena of international human rights politics. The critical evaluation of changing dynamics between state and human rights and the attention paid to new human right actors such as non governmental organizations, epistemic communities and multinational corporations will be of interest not only to professional social scientists but to policy makers, activists and anyone concerned about human rights, social justice, freedom and peace.' Sandya Hewamanne, Wake Forest University, USA 'Provides a window into cutting edge developments in the field of human rights across a spectrum of issues, actors, institutions and norms. Contributors lay the groundwork by examining new challenges to state sovereignty and immunity through such institutional developments as the International Criminal Court, truth commissions, and the responsibility to protect; and across issues spanning mobilization to meet millennium development goals, the urgency of climate change, international control of small arms and light weapons, and the rights of persons with disabilities. The case studies are both conceptually and theoretically grounded, and bring together practitioner and scholarly perspectives that enrich comprehension of the dynamics of international relations from local to global contexts.' Janie Leatherman, Fairfield University, USA

• Introduction, Noha Shawki, Michaelene Cox; Part I Actors, Institutions, and Institutional Innovations; Chapter 1 Redefining Sovereignty: Humanitarianism’s Challenge to Sovereign Immunity, Anne L. Clunan; Chapter 2 Sovereignty Transformed? The Role of National Human Rights Institutions, Sonia Cardenas; Chapter 3 A New Actor in Human Rights Politics? Transgovernmental Networks of National Human Rights Institutions, Noha Shawki; Chapter 4 Universalism Meets Sovereignty at the International Criminal Court, Benjamin N. Schiff; Chapter 5 The Responsibility to Protect: Embracing Sovereignty and Human Rights, Cristina G. Badescu; Chapter 6 Human Rights and Soft Law: Alternative Paths for New Challenges, Daniel B. Braaten; Chapter 7 Judging Truth: The Contributions of Truth Commissions in Post-Conflict Environments, Eric Brahm; Part II Current Issues in International Human Rights; Chapter 8 Documenting Human Rights Abuses Among the Diaspora: Lessons Learned from the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Patricia B. Minikon, Susan Shepler; Chapter 9 Viewing the Millennium Development Goals through Prisms of IR Theory: An Intersection of Human Rights and State Interests, Michaelene Cox; Chapter 10 Human Rights, Glocal Ecopolitics, and Contested Landscapes of Sovereignty, Peter J. Stoett; Chapter 11 The Transnational Effort for Disability Rights: The Marriage of Disability Rights to Human Rights, Kenneth R. Rutherford; Chapter 12 Small Arms, Sovereign States and Human Rights, Suzette R. Grillot;

Dr Noha Shawki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at the Illinois State University, USA. Dr Michaelene Cox is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at the Illinois State Universtiy, USA.

'...a superb contribution to the scant literature on this very important subject. Its insightful chapters represent a challenge to the usual discourse on the subject. It represents a groundbreaking and humane explanation of the linkage between sovereignty and human rights. It is a must read for scholars, students and political analysts.' Jamal R. Nassar, California State University, USA 'Brings together a fascinating collection of articles that explore new concerns and issues in the arena of international human rights politics. The critical evaluation of changing dynamics between state and human rights and the attention paid to new human right actors such as non governmental organizations, epistemic communities and multinational corporations will be of interest not only to professional social scientists but to policy makers, activists and anyone concerned about human rights, social justice, freedom and peace.' Sandya Hewamanne, Wake Forest University, USA 'Provides a window into cutting edge developments in the field of human rights across a spectrum of issues, actors, institutions and norms. Contributors lay the groundwork by examining new challenges to state sovereignty and immunity through such institutional developments as the International Criminal Court, truth commissions, and the responsibility to protect; and across issues spanning mobilization to meet millennium development goals, the urgency of climate change, international control of small arms and light weapons, and the rights of persons with disabilities. The case studies are both conceptually and theoretically grounded, and bring together practitioner and scholarly perspectives that enrich comprehension of the dynamics of international relations from local to global contexts.' Janie Leatherman, Fairfield University, USA

• Introduction, Noha Shawki, Michaelene Cox; Part I Actors, Institutions, and Institutional Innovations; Chapter 1 Redefining Sovereignty: Humanitarianism’s Challenge to Sovereign Immunity, Anne L. Clunan; Chapter 2 Sovereignty Transformed? The Role of National Human Rights Institutions, Sonia Cardenas; Chapter 3 A New Actor in Human Rights Politics? Transgovernmental Networks of National Human Rights Institutions, Noha Shawki; Chapter 4 Universalism Meets Sovereignty at the International Criminal Court, Benjamin N. Schiff; Chapter 5 The Responsibility to Protect: Embracing Sovereignty and Human Rights, Cristina G. Badescu; Chapter 6 Human Rights and Soft Law: Alternative Paths for New Challenges, Daniel B. Braaten; Chapter 7 Judging Truth: The Contributions of Truth Commissions in Post-Conflict Environments, Eric Brahm; Part II Current Issues in International Human Rights; Chapter 8 Documenting Human Rights Abuses Among the Diaspora: Lessons Learned from the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Patricia B. Minikon, Susan Shepler; Chapter 9 Viewing the Millennium Development Goals through Prisms of IR Theory: An Intersection of Human Rights and State Interests, Michaelene Cox; Chapter 10 Human Rights, Glocal Ecopolitics, and Contested Landscapes of Sovereignty, Peter J. Stoett; Chapter 11 The Transnational Effort for Disability Rights: The Marriage of Disability Rights to Human Rights, Kenneth R. Rutherford; Chapter 12 Small Arms, Sovereign States and Human Rights, Suzette R. Grillot;