The Human Rights course seeks to provide students with a thorough understanding of international human rights law and practice. We will trace the historical and conceptual evolution of human rights norms, considering civil and political and economic and social rights and will discuss both universal as well as regional developments. By detailed consideration of real cases, we will analyse key rights and enquire into current challenges to their protection arising in diverse contexts – from the home to the fight against international terrorism. The international human rights infrastructure and mechanisms of enforcement will be discussed, including the role and impact of litigation in rights protection. The interrelationship between human rights and other areas of international law and practice covered in the course, notably IHL and ICL, will also be explored. The course is intended to combine in-depth analysis of the scope and nature of rights with an emphasis on the practical application of the law and challenges arising.
Study material: Christian Tomuschat, ‘Human Rights; Between Idealism And Realism’, OUP, latest edition
Course dates:
Lectures on Thursday 12 January until 15 March from 10:00-12:00 or 12:00 -14:00 hrs (one, or two groups) in the following class rooms
12 January: room 404/405, Lange Houtstraat 5
19 January: room Benoordenhout, Stichthage
26 January: room Bezuidenhout, Stichthage
2 February: 404/405, Lange Houtstraat 5
9 February: Bezuidenhout, Stichthage
16 February: 404/405, Lange Houtstraat 5 from14:00-16:00/16:00-18:00
23 February: Bezuidenhout, Stichthage
1 March: 404/405, Lange Houtstraat 5
Examination: Written assignments & Research paper