This introductory article discusses the theme of this volume which is about international human rights law. This
volume explores the historical antecedents for modern human rights law, the importance of human dignity, the
process of human rights law-making and the role of various actors, institutions, and procedures in the
implementation and compliance of human rights law. It also provides some evaluation of the human rights project
and evaluates whether it has made a difference to the lives of people throughout the world.