ABSTRACT
Because of the often imprecise use of the term "human rights," along with widespread misunderstanding of the relationship between international law and domestic law, it is not surprising that the subject of enforcement of human rights in United States courts is confusing. The concept of human rights includes only rights against governments that all humans have, regardless of jurisdiction, and—at least to a large extent—regardless of time. The protective power of United States human rights law is enormous. The existence of international human rights law does not make such law ipso facto applicable in US courts. Determination of a public international law issue amounts to the conduct of foreign relations of the United States.
