A Commentary on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The UN Human Rights Committee's Monitoring of ICCPR Rights

Contemporary, practical coverage of the Human Rights Committee's responses to challenges to civil and political rights around the world.

Paul M. Taylor (Author)

9781108498852, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 July 2020

944 pages
25.9 x 18.5 x 4.6 cm, 2.06 kg

'Paul Taylor has composed an excellent commentary covering all the substantive articles of the ICCPR, including over 40 years of interpretive work by the UN Human Rights Committee. The author examines pertinent drafting history, the contours of various elements in each article, the interplay and interdependence of different rights, the Committee's jurisprudence, general comments and concluding observations and, where relevant, he situates his findings within the broader scheme of international human rights law, as well as academic commentary. The result is a comprehensive and compelling analysis of civil and political rights that will not only facilitate a deep and nuanced understanding of the range and scope of these rights and freedoms, but, crucially, will also make an outstanding contribution to advancing the implementation of human rights. Written in very accessible language, the book represents an essential and insightful guide for scholars, students, policymakers and practitioners.' Ahmed Shaheed, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief

A new and an essential reference work for any international human rights law academic, student or practitioner, A Commentary on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights spans all substantive rights of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), approached from the perspective of the ICCPR as an integrated, coherent scheme of rights protection. In detailed coverage of the Human Rights Committee's output when monitoring ICCPR compliance, Paul M. Taylor offers extraordinary access to forty years of its Concluding Observations, Views and General Comments organised thematically. This Commentary is a solid and practical introduction to any and all of the civil and political rights in the ICCPR, and a rare resource explaining the requirements for domestic implementation of ICCPR standards. An indispensable research tool for any serious enquirer into the subject, the Commentary speaks to the accomplishments of the ICCPR in striving for universal human rights standards.

1. Self determination
2. To 'respect and to ensure' covenant rights
3. The equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of Covenant rights
4. Derogation in times of officially proclaimed public emergency threatening the life of the nation
5. Bar on interpreting the Covenant in abuse of rights
6. The right to life
7. Torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
8. Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour
9. Liberty and security
10. Treatment of those deprived of their liberty
11. Imprisonment for inability to fulfil a contractual obligation
12. Freedom of movement of the person
13. Procedural safeguards in the expulsion of aliens
14. Fair trial rights
15. Retroactive criminal law
16. Recognition as a person before the law
17. Privacy, home, correspondence
18. Honour and reputation
19. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
20. Freedom of expression
21. Propaganda for war and hate speech
22. Freedom of assembly
23. Freedom of association
24. Protection for the family
25. Protection required for children
26. Right to participate in public affairs, electoral rights and access to public service
27. Equality before the law, equal protection of the law
28. Ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.

Subject Areas: International organisations & institutions [LBBU], International human rights law [LBBR], Human rights [JPVH], International relations [JPS]