Introduction: Labour rights, human rights

The year 1998 signals a double anniversary - the adoption of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 50 years ago. While the high hopes of the time have not all been realized, these instruments have contributed to the substantial progress achieved in human rights. The Convention in particular is a continuing means of making progress and opposing backsliding, thanks to ILO supervision of its application. How, to what effect, and what next, are the subjects of the articles in this special issue on labour rights and human rights.