Systems for the Protection of Human Rights

Teacher(s)

De Schutter Olivier; Ringelheim Julie;

Language

French

Main themes

Apart from the Universal Bill of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), the following are examined: the European Convention on Human Rights, the American Convention on Human Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. To the extent that they present certain significant institutional innovations, certain sectoral instruments are also studied: for instance the Convention against Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the European Social Charter (including the Collective Complaints mechanism). One part of the course focus eson the relationship between national legal systems and international legal systems, as well as on the guarantee of rights protected by national constitutions. Lastly, , the course examines the protection of fundamental rights in the EU legal system.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

The students shall be equipped with the basic notions allowing them to understand the role of human rights mechanisms at the domestic, regional and international levels.

Content

The course is divided in four parts, which examine respectively: the protection of human rights through domestic mechanisms (both judicial and non-judicial); the role of regional mechanisms of protection (Council of Europe and European Union; Organisation of American States; African Union); protection of human rights at universal level (United Nations); and the emerging mechanisms to ensure compliance with human rights of international organisations and of transnational corporations.

Teaching methods

The course is taught during one semester over a period of 45 hours. In addition, students may, on an optional basis, benefit from tutorials provided by an assistant specialized in the area concerned.

Evaluation methods

The final exam is a closed-book written exam, of 3 hours in duration.

Other information

A documentation file is also provided to the students. It includes reference articles for each section of the course.

Bibliography

Des documents de référence sont fournis aux étudiant·es pour chaque partie du cours. Ils comprennent des articles scientifiques ou documents de référence pour chaque chapitre du cours et un syllabus pour le chapitre « Cour européenne des droits de l’homme » (voir point II). Ces documents sont disponibles sur la page Moodle du cours.

Faculty or entity

DRTB