Raoul Wallenberg Institute Professional Guides to Human Rights – serie

The purpose of this book is to review and summarize international cases identified as being essential for the police. The cases embody the jurisprudence of courts and bodies established under international law to secure compliance with international human rights and humanitarian standards, and they are essential for the police, and anyone seeking to understand the theory and practice of policing, because they have a direct bearing on the exercise of police powers and the performance of police functions. Part I provides a general introduction; Parts II and III concern police powers and respect for human rights, and police functions and protection of human rights. Part IV deals with police behaviour in times of armed conflict, disturbance and tension. Introductions to the parts and their respective chapters outline scope and contents.

The alarmingly low health status of millions of people in many developing countries is now recognised as a major obstacle to the process of development. In response, increasing numbers of non-governmental organizations are championing the right to health of the disadvantaged, vulnerable and those living in poverty. They are using the right to health in their struggle for access to quality health services, as well as the underlying determinants of health, such as safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. In other words, the right to health, and other fundamental human rights, are seen as a way of promoting development. In a clear style and accessible format, this unique, timely and practical Manual shows health professionals, their associations and other interested non-governmental organizations, some of the practical ways in which they can promote, protect and monitor the right to health in their communities and countries. It considers the obligations of states in relation to individuals within their borders, as well as the human rights responsibilities of states beyond their borders. As befits a human rights manual, it has a particular preoccupation with the right to health of the vulnerable, marginalized and otherwise disadvantaged groups and those living in poverty.

Human rights law protects the rights and freedoms of individuals and groups within societies. Police officials are uniquely placed to ensure respect for, and secure protection of, those rights and freedoms. Those who exercise power on behalf of the people they serve need to be aware of the human rights standards they are required to meet, and the best practice in their fields of activity. The texts identified as essential for the police in this publication serve as a valuable aid to meeting both of these needs. In a democracy governed by the rule of law, good policing is crucially dependent upon compliance with the standards they embody. Furthermore, these standards, which protect human rights and set out good professional practice for police, lie at the core of democratic policing.Essential Texts on Human Rights for the Police is divided into three parts, each one with an introduction outlining the scope and contents of the instruments. Part I includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and universal treaties, Part II regional treaties and Part III non-treaty instruments. In all, 36 international instruments are reproduced. The present publication is intended to be used in human rights education and training programmes for police and other officials exercising police powers. It can be used by teachers and resource persons as a principal source of reference for such programmes or as a supplement to teaching manuals. It can also serve as a source of reference and guidance to operational police officials and to anyone wishing to be aware of the standards to which police should adhere. This second, revised edition of Essential Texts on Human Rights for the Police is more comprehensive than the first and includes 14 treaties and non-treaty instruments not reproduced in the previous edition of the book. It is a companion volume to Essential Cases on Human Rights for the Police: Reviews and Summaries of International Cases, by the same authors.