Author Description

The right to a fair trial is the most litigated human right in the world. Understanding the right requires reference not only to its interpretation by courts, treaty bodies, rapporteurs, experts, and scholars, but also to the preparatory work of the treaty (travaux préparatoires) and the circumstances of its conclusion. This volume brings together for the first time the complete travaux to Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with reference to the discussion regarding other articles where relevant. It traces the evolution of the text over more than a decade of the drafting process through a number of United Nations bodies. The materials reveal a lengthy and complex process of drafting the Covenant, the intentions of the delegates regarding the interpretation of certain provisions, and those issues that they left open for states parties to decide through their practice. This is a companion volume to The Right to a Fair Trial in International Law (OUP 2020).