International Human Rights Law (6 ECTS)

Lecturer: Dr A.G. Hallo de Wolf (coordinator)

When: Block 1

Brief course description:
This course examines the basic concepts and theories concerning human rights; the protection of human rights in positive international law, in particular through the work and case law of international human rights bodies such as the Human Rights Committee and the various regional human rights adjudicatory bodies. Lectures will focus on topics such as:

• The conceptual and philosophical background to human rights
• The development of the universal human rights system including discussions of the different types of human rights monitoring bodies under the United Nations and their procedures to ensure compliance with the human rights obligations of states
• An overview of the various regional human rights monitoring bodies and recent developments therein
• The various procedures available to states, individuals, and groups to secure the protection of human rights law at the international and regional level
• A discussion on the content and scope of a select group of rights under international and regional human rights law and recent developments (f.e. the right to life; the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of association and assembly; and some select social and cultural rights)
• A discussion of various current topics in the field of human rights law including the potential human rights obligations of non-state actors such as international financial institutions and multinational corporations, the human rights of vulnerable groups such as indigenous populations, the problem of dealing with terrorism and human rights, and the discussion about the existence of a right to development and a clean and healthy environment
• Perspectives on a career in the field of human rights and the need to actively engage in the field
  

Teaching method: Lectures

Assessment: Written exam (essay questions) (digital if possible)

*Official course information and schedules during the academic year can be found in Ocasys.