The Rights of Peoples [Paperback]

While the concepts of individual and collective human rights are well-known and have produced important changes in international law, there has emerged a third generation of human rights claims calling for the rights of peoples. These include economic rights such as the right to development and the right to permanent sovereignty over natural resources, as well as more ambitious rights like the rights to peace and a healthy environment. This collection of essays is the first full-length study of this controversial topic, discussing from a variety of viewpoints the claims made for a third generation of peoples' rights. Is this a desirable development in human rights, or an attempt to undermine the authority of governments? The volume includes details of relevant texts and a complete bibliography.

With the breadth of the debate established in the first two essays, the reader is then treated to some quite brilliant scholarship from the antipodes....[This book] will be of particular interest to those concerned with the rights of indigenous peoples. Once again, Crawford has made a worthy contribution to the debate on a contentious issue in international law. --American Journal of International Law

The Rights of Peoplesis an excellent overview of the concept [of human rights] and its evolution. The essays demonstrate, from their differing perspectives, the need for recognition of a class of rights situated between the rights of states against each other and the rights of individuals against their states....None of the essayists indulge in line-drawing, much to their credit....Though a collection of essays, this volume reads a continuous whole....The appendices, including the bibliography, will be immensely helpful for anyone doing research on the subject. --Texas International LawJournal