International Human Rights Law

This seminar critically examines the central institutions and processes of international human rights law. The first part of the seminar closely examines the main theoretical debates concerning human rights, the history of the current institutional system, and
the key international and regional human rights instruments, procedures, and enforcement mechanisms. Particular human rights issues will be the focus of the second part of the seminar. Special attention will be given to the human right to life, reparation for victims of human rights violations, sustainability and environmental rights, immigration and refugee rights, and the rights of indigenous peoples in international law. Each section of the course will address practical problems to anchor the studying of the substantive law and critical discussions of the limitations of current regimes and the roles and responsibilities of governments, international organizations, private actors, and civil society. The course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to write a research paper on one international human rights law issue. Students will also write an individual communication to a human rights treaty body on a topic of their choice.