Admission requirements
Some background in law; familiarity with International Public Law is useful but not required. English language skills which allow to reflect on literature and lectures both in verbal interaction and in writing.
Description
The course centers the United Nations human rights system in an exploration of international human rights law. The UN system's history, functioning, relation to different human rights systems, and future prospects are explored in light of contemporary developments. Since the inception of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two founding covenants on civil & political rights, and social, economic & cultural rights, a number of more specialized human rights conventions have come into existence. The course first looks at the charter and treaty-based systems in place, including the monitoring and complaints mechanisms put in place under the conventions and their role in promoting the realization of human rights globally. The course then moves on to explore several developments of pressing importance for specific human rights and the UN's functioning around these topics. Examples of these topical treatments are women's and children's rights; gender and sexual orientation; social rights and the climate emergency; genocide cases brought before the Court of Justice; disability rights, and racial discrimination.
Each seminar includes an active discussion for which students are expected prepare on the basis of provided materials and questions. The course aims to create a lively and inclusive environment for these discussions, and help students to prepare for examination by practicing analytical engagement and reflection.
Course objectives
The course aims to equip students with a basic critical understanding of the UN human rights system. In addition, the course familiarizes students with several pressing human rights topics and the UN functioning around these.
At the end of this course; students will:
Be familiar with historical and critical perspectives on contemporary IHRL and its general doctrines and concepts
Have a general understanding of the UN human rights system as a whole, and the functioning of the main UN human rights institutions
Have a good understanding of the UN charter- and treaty based human rights system, its functioning and its practice
Have furthered their ability to identify the human rights implications of contemporary global developments
Be able to engage in discussions around contemporary human rights issues and their UN context on a well-informed basis, both orally and in writing.
Timetable
Check MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Interactive 2-hour lectures and seminars. These are offered physically; hybrid participation is not provided in principal (for special needs, please contact the course coordinator). Lectures and seminars are not recorded.
Number of sessions: 10-12
Names of lecturers: a different range of international experts is assembled each year; their names will be provided in that year's syllabus.
Required preparation: students are expected to come to each session well prepared to participate in the guided discussions. The discussions also train students for (parts of the) examination.
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
- Written exam in English (100%).
Please note: the examination form is subject to change
Students who fail the exam are entitled to sit a re-examination. Depending on the number of students failing the exam, the re-sit may take the form of an oral exam.
Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination syllabus consists of the required reading (literature) for the course, the course information guide, the subjects taught in the lectures/seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course.
Reading list
Prescribed literature:
Ilias Bantekas &Lutz Oette; International Human Rights Law and Practice; Cambridge University Press; 2024 (4th edition). Please note: only a limited number of chapters will be used in the course, students can make use of the earlier edition that is available online via the University Library.
Additional materials will be announced and collected in the syllabus which will be published on Brightspace
Registration
Registration for courses and exams takes place via MyStudymap. If you do not have access to MyStudymap (guest students), look here (under the Law-tab) for more information on the registration procedure in your situation.
Contact
Coordinator: Aviva de Groot
Work address: Steenschuur 25, 2311 ES Leiden (room c1.10)
Telephone number: 071-527 8917 (secretariat)
Email: a.de.groot@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