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

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.

Table of Contents:
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.

About the Author :
Paul M. Taylor is a Senior Research Fellow at The University of Queensland's TC Beirne School of Law and Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University's Centre for International and Public Law. His principal academic interests are international human rights law, conflict of laws and competition law. Other significant books he has authored include UK and EC Competition Law and Compliance (1999); and Freedom of Religion: UN and European Human Rights Law and Practice (2005).

Review :
'Paul Taylor's Commentary is a monumental achievement. It will take its place as an indispensable guide for human rights lawyers everywhere.' Ian Leigh, Professor of Law, Durham University 'Commentaries on international treaties have become an indispensable tool for academics and practitioners alike. Paul Taylor's Commentary with its up to date analysis of the Human Rights Committee's interpretation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political is one of those. Based on an impressive wealth of documents this reference work will be an indispensable resource for all those seeking guidance for domestic implementation.' Anja Seibert-Fohr, former Vice Chair of the Human Rights Committee 'When I have a tricky problem involving the ICCPR come across my desk, whether as an academic or a practising barrister, Paul Taylor's Commentary will be the first book I will turn to for guidance. It is fresh, exhaustive (in the best sense), and authoritative.' Conor Gearty, LSE and Matrix Chambers '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