Sunday December 10 is International Human Rights Day, the first since we have had our own human rights legislation. Francesca Klug, author of Values for a Godless Age, and one of the original architects of the act is available for interview or comment about the Act. For more information please contact Jenny Watson, Director of the Human Rights Research Unit on 020 7848 1016.

A Controversial Law

In October 2000, the British government voluntarily relinquished power by incorporating the European convention on Human Rights into English Law.

For the first time, there exists a set of clearly defined values enshrined in law that we can all share regardless of whether we ascribe to a particular religion or none.

Values for a Godless Age is a source of further information and an in-depth understanding of the issues:

LAW

With the passing of the Human Rights Act we have a higher law for the first time, whose principles will influence the legal system and policy. Values for a Godless Age is an accessible introduction to the international history of bills of rights and human rights laws from the Enlightenment to the present day.

SOCIETY

The Human Rights Act signals the introduction of a common set of ethical values to which everyone, from public bodies to the ordinary citizen, can subscribe. Values for a Godless Age is an essential read for anyone wanting to understand the implications of the new moral climate created by the Act.

POLITICS

How far are these ethical values compatible with those of a New Labour Government committed to a culture of duties as well as rights? And what are the results of the increasing profile of human rights on the world stage? Klug examines the political ramifications.

Francesca Klug is the Director of Human Rights Research Unit at King's College London and a member of the Government's Human Rights Task Force. Joint winner of the 1998 Times/Justice award for outstanding contribution to civil justice, Klug was one of the architects of the Human Rights Act. She teaches law at King's College, London.

Foreword by Helena Kennedy QC