International Protection of Human Rights

Teacher(s)

Crine Zoé (compensates De Schutter Olivier); De Schutter Olivier; Novic Elisa (compensates De Schutter Olivier);

Language

English

Main themes

The course of international protection of human rights is divided in two parts. First, it examines the international mechanisms for the protection of human rights, particularly those established at the universal and European levels and, in lesser detail, those created within other regional organizations. Second, the course examines the substantive law of human rights, on the basis of the main international treaties which implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and of the concepts these treaties rely upon (restrictions to rights and freedoms, derogations, absuse of rights, progressive realization, etc.). Specific attention will be paid to the United Nations core human rights treaties and to the instruments of the Council of Europe. Thus, the course aims at introducing the participants to the international and European law of human rights (sources, interpretation, control mechanisms, and actors).

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	- To acquire a good understanding of international mechanisms for the protection of human rights and of its main actors ; - To familiarize oneself with the sources of international human rights law ; - To gain a good knowledge of the main concepts on the basis of which the international law of human rights develops and is built. This course forms part of a coherent option of three courses. The professors in this option form a teaching team : they seek to ensure that the contents and methods of each course offer a consistent set of teachings and that they are complementary. This course uses participatory teaching methods (learning through case studies, discussion of the case-law, debates with outside invitees, field experience ) allowing the students to develop an approach which is at once critical, prospective, and inventive. The participants are encouraged to be actively involved in learning the subject, both individually and as a group. In this perspective, the professors from different options permanently exchange about their teaching experiences with a view to constantly improving them.

Content

This course seeks to introduce the students to international human rights law, in both its substantive dimensions (sources and general principles) and its institutional dimensions (mechanisms of protection). The substantive part presents the emergence of a 'jus commune" of international human rights, resulting from comparative human rights law. The institutional part is largely dedicated to understanding the mechanisms established within the UN to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights.
The course will further address contemporary human rights issues in relation to the holders related obligations (e.g. corporate actors), protected groups and persons (e.g. persons with disabilities), justice mechanisms (e.g. the CEDAW committee for women’s rights) and ‘new’ categories of human rights (i.e. the right to a healthy environment).

Teaching methods

This course relies on lectures as well as mandatory readings addressing contemporary human rights issues.

Evaluation methods

Assessment will be based on the following components:
a) Continuous assessment based on active participation in class discussions of contemporary human rights issues, drawing on the mandatory readings (10%);
b) Active participation in group presentations during a joint full-day seminar bringing together the three courses of the Human Rights Option (10%);
c) A multiple-choice questionnaire covering the first part of the course, focusing on the basic principles of human rights protection (20%);
d) A final examination during the examination session, consisting of a series of analytical questions (60%).

Teaching materials

• MOOC version of the course (available on the edX platform)
• Mandatory and optional readings (available on Moodle)

Faculty or entity

> BUDR