An updated and expanded edition of the widely used overview of international human rights law for students, practitioners, and professors. Provides a comprehensive overview of the international, regional and domestic human rights systems, as well as the treatment of human rights treaties and norms within the U.S. legal system. Reviews recent developments in the field, including in the UN, European, OAS and African human rights systems, as well as the adoption of new conventions and the issuance of key new judicial decisions. Introduces the history behind international human rights, including the institutional context from which they evolved. An unparalleled resource for beginning students as well as more experienced practitioners needing an accessible introduction to an increasingly important substantive field.