Today it is usually not long before a problem gets expressed as a human rights issue. An appeal to human rights in the face of injustice can be a heartfelt & morally justified demand for some while for others it remains merely an empty slogan. Taking an international perspective & focusing on highly topical issues such as torture arbitrary detention privacy health & discrimination this Very Short Introduction will help readers to understand for themselves the controversies & complexities behind this vitally relevant issue. Looking at the philosophical justification for rights the historical origins of human rights & how they are formed in law Andrew Clapham explains what our human rights actually are what they might be & where the human rights movement is heading. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas & enthusiasm to make interesting & challenging topics highly readable.