Few names are so closely connected with the cause of human rights as that of Mary Robinson. As former President of Ireland, she was ideally positioned for passionately and eloquently arguing the case for human rights around the world. Over five tumultuous years that included the tragic events of 9/11, she offered moral leadership and vision to the global human rights movement. This volume is a unique account in Robinson's own words of her campaigns as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.A Voice for Human Rights offers an edited collection of Robinson's public addresses, given between 1997 and 2002, when she served as High Commissioner. The book also provides the first in-depth account of the work of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights. With a foreword by Kofi Annan and an afterword by Louise Arbour, the current High Commissioner for Human Rights, the book will be of interest to all concerned with international human rights, international relations, development, and politics.

Foreword by Kofi AnnanIntroduction by Kevin BoylePART I: A VISION FOR HUMAN RIGHTSChapter 1: A Personal VisionPART II: FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY AND NONDISCRIMINATIONChapter 2: The Struggle against RacismChapter 3: Women's Rights Are Human RightsChapter 4: Eliminating Religious Discrimination and IntoleranceChapter 5: Combating Other Discrimination and ExclusionPART III: DIMENSIONS OF THE MANDATE OF HIGH COMMISSIONERChapter 6: Human Rights DefendersChapter 7: Economic, Social, and Cultural RightsChapter 8: The Right to DevelopmentChapter 9: Human Rights EducationChapter 10: Children's RightsChapter 11: Minorities and Indigenous PeoplesChapter 12: Human Rights after ConflictChapter 13: Business and Human RightsPART IV: BUILDING HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTIONChapter 14: The High Commissioner and the United Nations Human Rights SystemChapter 15: Supporting United Nations Human Rights BodiesChapter 16: Working with Countries and RegionsChapter 17: Strengthening National Human Rights ProtectionPART V: CONTINUING CHALLENGESChapter 18: Mainstreaming Human RightsChapter 19: Terrorism, Peace, and Human SecurityChapter 20: Ethical GlobalizationFarewell SpeechAfterword by Louise ArbourAppendix 1 Key International Legal InstrumentsAppendix 2 General Assembly Resolution 48/141NotesEditorial AcknowledgmentsIndex