This book attempts to establish how courts of general jurisdiction differ from specialized
human rights courts in their approach to the implementation and development of international
human rights. Why do courts of general jurisdiction face particular problems in relation to the
application of international human rights law and why in other cases are they better placed
than specialized human rights courts to act as guardians of international human rights? At the
international level this volume focusses on the International Court of Justice and courts of
regional economic integration organizations in Europe Latin America and Africa. With regard to
the judicial implementation of international human rights and human rights decisions at the
domestic level the contributions analyze the requirements set by human rights treaties and
offer a series of country studies on the practice of domestic courts in Europe the Americas
Africa and Asia. This book follows up on research undertaken by the International Human Rights
Law Committee of the International Law Association. It includes the final Committee report as
well as contributions by committee members and external experts.
