Course on International Human Rights Law

After an overview of the history of and the reasoning (article 1 ofthe UN Charter, peace, justice, development) for human rights, as well as of the intergovernmental organizations engaged in human rights work and the humanrights instruments, the course will focus on the human rights standards and their contents, including the right of self- determination, equal rights and non-discrimination, civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, the right to development, the protection of vulnerable groups, individual and grouprights, and victims' rights; national implementation, including the relationship between national and international law, constitutional law and legislation, the independence of the judiciary and of prosecutors, NHRIs,remedies, and human rights in foreign policy; international monitoring,including complaints, special procedures, State reporting, good offices, needs assessments and technical cooperation, and the role of NGOs, with emphasis oncase law; and promotional activities like human rights education and humanrights research. 

A number of subjects related to human rights will also be explored,like international labor standards, refugee law, humanitarian law, intellectual property rights, environmental law, international criminal law, good governance, and the rule of law.

Reading materials include the websites of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and of several other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.