The International Commission of Jurists : The Pioneering Years

The object of this volume is to present a comprehensive survey of the early history and activities of the International Commission of Jurists, highlighting its achievements in defining, developing, and promoting the rule of law.

It seeks to give readers an awareness of the Commission's role in the evolution of the rule of law concept.

While there were several international organizations, including the Commission, working in the field of human rights following upon the adoption of the Universal Declaration, the Commission was unique in that it focused on the development of the rule of law as a sine qua non for the protection and advancement of human rights.

The scope of this work is therefore much wider than mere identification and promotion of human rights. It deals with the principles identified by the Commission as underlying the rule of law and the institutions and procedure necessary to safeguard those principles; it reviews in-depth studies by eminent jurists on aspects of the rule of law; it surveys applications and violations of the rule of law in different countries or regions of the world; and it draws attention to trials of persons arrested or detained under cover of legislation patently offending against the rule of law.

The work also covers the many initiatives taken by the Commission either by itself or in collaboration with the United Nations and other international organizations to ensure better recognition of and respect for the rule of law and human rights.

Reference is made in this connection to different initiatives of national sections both at the regional and national level.