Course on Minority Rights

After examining the reasoning behind minority rights (overcoming discrimination, preventing violent conflicts and preservation of culturaldiversity), the course on minority rights will examine the contents of minority rights as set forth in several human rights instruments, from the equal enjoyment of all human rights and the prohibition of discrimination to special measures and special rights. The special measures and rights relate to the rights to life and the physical existence of the groups, identity, culture,language, education, employment, economic activities, and political participation, including autonomy, as well as individual and group rights andthe prohibition of hate speech; national implementation by way of legislation,access to justice, remedies and enforcement; international monitoring, both treaty-based monitoring, including complaints procedures and state reporting,and Charter-based monitoring, including special procedures and the Universal Periodic Review. Several cases decided by the Human Rights Committee under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights will be reviewed; and promotional activities like education of minority persons and public awareness raising.