LLAW3251 The International Protection of Human Rights

The International Protection of Human Rights introduces students to the philosophical and legal bases for the protection and promotion of human rights at the international level. A significant component of the topic is the consideration and analysis of the treaties adopted by the United Nations and their implementation by States parties. In this context students will explore the cultural and political influences on the development of international human rights law. Specific issues of concern to the international community will be highlighted and discussed in the latter part of the semester.

This topic aims to facilitate participants' learning to assist them to:

• Develop an appreciation of the philosophical and legal bases for the protection and promotion of human rights at the international level
• Become familiar with the international organisations and mechanisms that work for the protection and promotion of human rights
• Understand the influence of culture and politics on the development of the international law of human rights
• Utilise the major international documents to formulate their views about the extent to which human rights are being implemented globally
• Deepen their understanding of the factors that inhibit the protection and promotion of human rights
• Develop the skills of scholarly research, legal writing and critical analysis
• Improve their ability to work in a team

1. Describe and provide an analytical overview of the philosophical and legal bases for the protection and promotion of human rights at the international level
2. Describe and apply the range of rights protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the major human rights treaties
3. Analyse State Party Reports to the human rights treaty bodies
4. Offer a critique of the concepts of universalism and cultural relativism
5. Articulate their understanding of the factors that affect the protection and promotion of human rights
6. Articulate their understanding of the difficulties facing the international community with respect to the protection and promotion of human rights
7. Work effectively as a member of a team
8. Communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral tasks
9. Use correct scholarly practices in the areas of citation and referencing
10. Conduct independent research utilising inter alia international scholarly texts