NGOs and human rights : promise and performance /

An introduction and conclusion by Welch (Distinguished Service Professor, political science, and director, Human Rights Center, University of Buffalo, SUNY) neatly frame 13 chapters on the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in human rights. Sensibly, the focus is on the few most important of the 1,000s NG0s; Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch--a chapter by Welch compares the two--International Commission of Jurists, Human Rights Law Group, and three NGOs dealing with "second generation" rights. Among other things, the essays examine the goals and agenda setting, strategies, resources, and effectiveness of the NGOs. Particularly useful is the discussion of "second generation" human rights--economic, social, and cultural rights. Nearly all of the authors are practitioners as well as researchers in the human rights field, and their observations are enlightened by the insider's perspective. Although activists, they nonetheless offer balanced assessments of NGO effectiveness. The latter is most difficult to evaluate, at least in part because NGOs seek to influence government policy indirectly as well as directly. There is no bibliography, but the essays are very well documented. Recommended for general readers, undergraduates, graduate students, researchers, and professionals. R. P. Peters University of Massachusetts at Boston