The Individual Human Being as Subject of International Law and Human Rights

Abstract

From the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, trough the adoption of the International Covenants on Human Rights in 1966, research and development of the human rights under the auspices of the United Nations has symbolized the common aspirations of mankind for increasing the protection of all basic human values. With the emergence of international human rights law, the traditional picture has changed diametrically. The consolidation of this new branch of international law amounts to a general recognition that States are not objectives in and by themselves and that, conversely, their finality is to discharge a task incumbent upon them in the service of their citizens. These problems have been discussed from the viewpoint of rules of international law of human rights. From this point of view the individual human being is subject of international law.