Vol. 10 No. 1 (January 2000) pp. 42-44.

HUMAN RIGHTS: NEW DIMENSIONS AND CHALLENGES, by Janusz Symonides (Editor).
Brookfield, VT: Ashgate Publishing Company, 1998. 318 pp. Cloth $70.95. Paper $26.95.

Reviewed by Samuel B. Hoff, Department of History, Political Science, and Philosophy, Delaware State University.

The goal of developing human rights education is the objective behind his edited work, which is co-published with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a manual on human rights. It is the first of three books intended to cover the topic. The editor states that, "this volume may be considered a contribution to the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (Preface, p. xii). The book contains twelve chapters within three sections. After introductory remarks by the editor, Part I on new dimensions begins with Chapter 2 by Vojin Dimitrijevic. He views peace and human rights as separate, though they may overlap. Still, it is wrong to subsume one under the other or to assume one necessarily serves as a
precondition of the other.
Chapter 3, by David Beetham, addresses the link between democracy and human rights. Beetham asserts that, "human rights constitute an intrinsic part of democracy, because the guarantee of basic freedoms is a necessary condition for people's voice to be effective in public affairs, and for popular control over government to be secured" (p. 74). He notes that the characteristics of democracy perpetuate concern for economic and social rights, though less so for cultural rights.
In Chapter 4, Upendra Baxi examines the right to development, which "extends to a close scrutiny of national legal systems in their structuring of electoral processes and of criminal and preventive legislation, including law enforcement policies and personnel which, in turn, structure legal and extralegal repression" (p. 104). Nations are responsible for removing hurdles to development that may appear when economic, social, and cultural rights are not protected.
Antonio Augusto Cancado Trindade analyzes the association between human rights and the environment in Chapter 5. The beneficiaries of the right to a
healthy environment are both individuals and "groups, associations, human collectivities and, indeed, the whole of mankind" (p. 136). The author predicts that the two domains of protection will continue to be dealt with by international law.
Part II, encompassing four chapters, investigates obstacles to human rights. Chapter 6, coauthored by Louis-Edmond Pettiti and Patrice Meyer-Bisch, assesses the effects of extreme poverty on human rights. Poverty is regarded as aggravating insecurity and discrimination. The writers discuss measures to combat poverty, many of which have been promulgated by international organizations and agreements.

Rudiger Wolfrum offers Chapter 7

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on discrimination, xenophobia, and racism. He finds that the aforementioned attitudes and actions "deny, or at least do not respect the fact that all human beings, although they may be different in appearance, language, lifestyle, or irreligious belief, may have undergone a particular historical development or may appear different for other reasons, and belong to a single species and that aspects such as appearance, language, origin and so on cannot justify any discriminatory treatment, be it intended or de facto" (p. 183). Wolfrum recommends education and teaching to eradicate discrimination, xenophobia, and racism.
In Chapter 8, Claudio Zanghi evaluates the relationship between tolerance and human rights. After presenting classical and modern meanings of the concept, he promotes interlocution, dialogue, comprehension, removing legal machinery, which may be inconsistent with tolerance, and educating youth in order to augment tolerance.

Chapter 9, written by Colin Warbrick, probes the impact of terrorism on human rights. He contends that, "[v]iolence for political purposes is particularly unjustified when there are non-violent political channels for ventilating grievances" (p. 234). Although preventing terrorism is paramount, Warbrick warns against counterterrorism actions that may put the state at risk of violating the rights of the accused. He holds that "institutions will not satisfy their state and human rights audiences all the time" (p. 236).
Part III, covering challenges, includes the last three chapters. C. G. Weeramantry authors Chapter 10 on scientific and technological progress. After delineating deficiencies in how domestic and international law are handling technology, he advocates education and training for scientists and future lawyers on the interface between technology and human rights. He believes that legislators should become more sensitive to the consequences that laws have on human rights. Finally, Weeramantry calls for each country to establish centers for the study of scientific policy.
The result of globalization on human rights is the topic of Chapter 11, written by Virginia A. Leary. Globalization--the transformation of the world
economy--has intensified international competitiveness. On the one hand, workers and indigenous peoples have been adversely affected, while on the
other hand women have gained increasing opportunities because of globalization, according to Leary. She supports improved enforcement of international agreements dealing with safety and health of laborers, especially children.
The last chapter, by Vitit Muntarbhorn, details how education can assist in fostering human rights. He illustrates the extent to which human rights themes are found in students' curriculum at various levels of formal education throughout the world. He describes some informal education initiatives in the area of human rights, such as those emanating from international organizations and professional associations. He concludes by presenting an eighteen-point agenda for advancing human rights education in the year 2000 and beyond.
Two recent books have also examined the human rights topic. Lauren's (1998) text, like the present book written in honor of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, employs a theme of visions

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or dreams of what might be. He traces the development of human rights throughout the globe. Dunne, Wheeler, and Dunne (1999) explore the contradiction between the theory of human rights and its contemporary reality. Contributors cover contemporary crises such as genocide, refugees, civil society and the media, and violence against women. Both of the aforementioned books are longer than the Symonides reader, though the Dunne et al. edited book contains the same number of chapters as Symonides.

HUMAN RIGHTS: NEW DIMENSIONS AND CHALLENGES qualifies as an outstanding resource on the subject in two ways. First, the various authors make extensive reference to international agreements, declarations, conventions, and programs having relevance to the topic being analyzed. Second, each
chapter contains a bibliography of affiliated publications for further research.
There are two apparent shortcomings of the study. First, the book's organization into three distinct sections seems somewhat artificial, as most chapters cover obstacles together with challenges. The lack of a concluding chapter that could synthesize ideas, findings, and trends prevents closure. The second weakness of Symonides' edited text has to do with the authors' reliance on UNESCO, other United Nations bodies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for solving the problems identified. While it is understandable to promote the organization partially responsible for publishing the book, it should be recognized that private groups, nations' own governments, and of course individuals themselves have a vital role in fostering and protecting human rights. Despite the latter criticisms, the
book makes an indisputably positive contribution to the human rights literature. Many of the suggestions found in its chapters should become strategies for meeting the challenges of the new century.

REFERENCES

Dunne, Tim, Nicholas J. Wheeler, and Timothy Dunne, eds. 1999. HUMAN RIGHTS
IN GLOBALPOLITICS. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Lauren, Paul Gordon. 1998. THE EVOLUTION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS:
VISIONS SEEN. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.