International human rights 700
Not offered in 1995
One two-hour seminar weekly over 13 weeks
The course will examine, at an advanced level, current international human rights structures, procedures and problems. Its aim will be to provide a sound base of conceptual and procedural knowledge, against a background of the practical interaction of human rights considerations and international relations. The course will examine critically the achievements, limitations and prospects of international norms and procedures.There is a need today for human rights specialists both domestically and internationally, as human rights documentation and procedures have grown to a volume beyond the ability of the generalist to handle. The course will aim at equipping students for the competent discharge of such a function. There is also a strong and increasing interaction between international human rights and domestic legal systems, and one of the objects of the course will be to enable the lawyer to obtain the fullest advantage from current developments in international human rights. After a survey of the essential documentation, the relevant international law principles, and the international and regional arrangements for the enforcement of human rights, the course will survey in depth some of the most important current international human rights problems such as the rights of minorities, development as a human right, the rights of indigenous peoples, current international standards on derogations from human rights in time of emergency, problems of international humanitarian law, the role of non-governmental organisations in the protection of human rights, the transnational protection of human rights, the global tensions between civil and political rights on the one hand and social, economic and cultural rights on the other, apartheid, international refugee law and the impact of human rights considerations on international relations.
Assessment
Take home exam: 40% * Research paper (6000 words): 60%