What are human rights -- History of human rights -- International human rights protection : context and conceptions -- United Nations -- Council of Europe CoE) -- Organization of American States (OAS) -- Organization of African Unity (OAU)/African Union (AU) -- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OCSE) -- European Union (EU) -- Efforts of other regional organizations to protect human rights -- Non-governmental organizations (NGOS) -- Traditional procedures and mechanisms for the international protection of human rights -- Shortcomings of traditional procedures and new trends in the international human rights regime -- Mechanisms for the prevention of human rights violations -- Individual criminal responsibility for serious human rights violations -- Human rights and the maintenance of peace and security -- Challenges for the future