Human Rights and Sustainability Moral responsibilities for the future [Hardcover]

The history of human rights suggests that individuals should be empowered in their natural, political, political, social and economic vulnerabilities. States within the international arena hold each other responsible for doing just that and support or interfere where necessary. States are to protect these essential human vulnerabilities, even when this is not a matter of self-interest. This function of human rights is recognized in contexts of intervention, genocide, humanitarian aid and development.

This book develops the idea of environmental obligations as long-term responsibilities in the context of human rights. It proposes that human rights require recognition that, in the face of unsustainable conduct, future human persons are exposed and vulnerable. It explores the obstacles for long-term responsibilities that human rights law provides at the level of international and national law and challenges the question of whether lifestyle restrictions are enforceable in view of liberties and levels of wellbeing typically seen as protected by human rights.

The book will be of interest to postgraduates studying Human Rights, Sustainability, Law and Philosophy.

1. Human Rights and Future People: An Introduction Gerhard Bos and Marcus D?well  PART I  Obstacles and Promises in Contemporary Human Rights Law  2. Greening Human Rights Law: A Focus on the European Convention on Human Rights Elina Pirjatanniemi  3. An Atmospheric Trust to Protect the Environment for Future Generations? Reform Options for Human Rights Law Peter Lawrence  4. Avoiding the Tragedy of Human Rights: How Complex Thought May Open the Way to Recognising Human Rights for Future Generations Emilie Gaillard  5. International Human Rights and Duties to Future Generations: The Role of an International Constitution Stephen Riley &ló–