Admission requirements
Some background in law; sufficient command of English.
Preferably students are familiar with the basics of International Public Law.
Description
This course offers an overview of the main features of international human rights law. It will focus on the United Nations human rights system. After briefly exploring the Charter based part of the UN system we will delve deeper into the treaty based human rights instruments. Since the inception of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two founding covenants on civil and political rights and on social and economic rights a number of more specialized human rights conventions have come into existence. We will analyze the various monitoring and complaints mechanisms that have been put in place under these conventions and their role in promoting the realization of human rights across the world. We will pay specific attention to several human rights topics of global importance in more detail. The latter will include issues concerning women’s human rights, sexual orientation, children’s rights, human rights and the fight against terrorism, and social and economic rights.
You are expected to attend lectures/seminars well prepared and to actively participate in discussions.
Course objectives
Objectives of the course
The course will provide an overview of international human rights protection at the UN level with a focus on the treaty based human rights system.
Achievement levels
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
At the end of this course, you will have
a general understanding of the UN human rights system as a whole
a good understanding of the UN treaty based human rights system and its working
a good understanding of several topical human rights issues and the main contemporary discussions on these issues.
Timetable
Check MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Lectures/seminars
Number of (2 hour) lectures/seminars: 10-12
Names of lecturers: Prof. M.L.P. Loenen and guest lecturers
Required preparation by students: You are expected to attend lectures/seminars well prepared and to actively participate in discussions.
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
Written, Take Home Essay exam.
Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination syllabus consists of the required reading (literature) for the course, the course information guide and the subjects taught in the lectures/seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course.
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
Literature:
- Ilias Bantekas &Lutz Oette, International Human Rights Law and Practice, Cambridge University Press, 2020 (3rd edition) or earlier editions + additional materials to be announced.
Course information guide:
To be announced.
Recommended course materials
To be announced.
Registration
Check the website under “course and exam enrollment” for information on how to register for the course.
Contact information
Coordinator: Prof. M.L.P. (Titia) Loenen
Work address: Steenschuur 25, 2311 ES Leiden (room C111)
Telephone number: 071-527 8917 (secretariat)
Email: m.l.p.loenen@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institution/division
Institute: Public Law
Department: Constitutional and Administrative Law
Room number secretary: B1.11
Opening hours: 9.00-16.30
Telephone number secretary: 071-527 8917
Email: staatsenbestuursrecht@law.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
In case of (corona)restrictions imposed by the government, this course description is subject to change.