Human Rights (LAW-626-001)
Rodriguez-Pinzon, Martin
Meets: 03:00 PM - 04:20 PM (MW) - Room 101
Enrolled: 25 / Limit: 40
Notices
The Syllabus is currently available on blackboard.
Description
The object of this class is to provide an overview of current international human rights law and the mechanisms for its implementation and enforcement. The first segment of the course will focus on the general principles of international human rights law. The second segment will concentrate on the normative foundation of international human rights law through the study of a selected group of rights, including the rights to life, not to be tortured or subjected to other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, women’s rights, and economic, social and cultural rights. We will also explore issues of limitations and derogations of rights as well as the rights affected in the context of the counterterrorist policies implemented by the US and other countries. In segments three and four we will study the functioning of the universal human rights system (United Nations) and the three existing regional human rights systems (Inter-American, European and African). The next segment regarding international criminal law will consider the jurisdiction of international criminal tribunals, the role of national institutions in dealing with past human rights violations, and the principle of universal jurisdiction. Finally, segment six will examine other current topics in international human rights law such as the role of non-state actors and issues regarding universalism and relativism.
Textbooks and Other Materials
The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.
The principal source of class assignments will be Steiner, Alston and Goodman, International Human Rights in Context: Law, Politics, Morals , 3rd Edition. Since the book will not be published and available until the end of September, the corrected manuscripts of the book for the first month of classes (or until the book is available for purchasing) are available through blackboard.
First Class Readings
The debate regarding the relevance of international law: (Read pp. 42-45; 46-57).