Christian Tomuschat is Emeritus Professor of Public International Law and European Law at the Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany, and former member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the International Law Commission.
Protection of Human Rights under Universal International Law
The United Nations was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War primarily as a guardian of peace and security in the world. From the very outset, the founders were aware of the close connection between peace and human rights: only under conditions of peace can human beings achieve full enjoyment of their rights. Never again should people be haunted by atrocities; never again should they become the victims of such genocidal policies as had devastated societies throughout Europe.