IHRL806 | International Human Rights Law

Course Information

  • 2020-21
  • IHRL806
  • LL.M.
  • I
  • Mar 2021
  • Core Course

This course seeks to explore the traditional areas of international human rights law and also various core international human rights instruments and their monitoring bodies.  The study also takes into focus the traditional, Charter-based and treaty-based human rights systems.  The mechanism to implement human rights through various international instruments is also dealt with.  Some of the significant human rights bodies are also considered.  Emphasis is placed on the most recent developments in the practice and reform of international human rights system. The promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is one of the main mandates of the United Nations (UN), as set out in its Charter. Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the UN has developed a wide range of international human rights standards and norms, as well as mechanisms to promote and protect those rights. The participation of other actors has been essential to this process. This evolving legal situation, the true dimensions of which could hardly have been foreseen half a century ago, requires each State concerned, and also the relevant legal professions, carefully to consider ways in which effective implementation of the State’s legal human rights obligations can best be secured. This may in many instances constitute a challenge to legal practitioners, owing to the conflicting requirements of different laws, lack of access to information, and the need for further training. This programme becomes a core study further to the Concept course dealt with in the first trimester and also facilitates in the application of domestic law. It is therefore a foundational course.

This course seeks to explore the traditional areas of international human rights law and also various core international human rights instruments and their monitoring bodies.  The study also takes into focus the traditional, Charter-based and treaty-based human rights systems.  The mechanism to implement human rights through various international instruments is also dealt with.  Some of the significant human rights bodies are also considered.  Emphasis is placed on the most recent developments in the practice and reform of international human rights system.

The primary materials are related UN and other documents. Secondary readings are selected from the books and articles. Cases decided by human rights bodies under individual petition mechanism are also studied.

Both the lecture method and discussion are adopted. Starting with historical study the course proceeds on the evolution of international human rights prior to the establishment of the UN and then focusses on the subsequent development.

Faculty

H K Nagaraj
Dr. H.K. Nagaraja

Adjunct Faculty