University of Essex

LW901-7-AU-CO:
International Human Rights Law: Law and Practice

The details

Year: 2024/25

Department: Essex Law School

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Autumn

Level: Postgraduate: Level 7

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 03 October 2024

End date: Friday 13 December 2024

Credits: 15

Last updated: 28 March 2024

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This module provides an overview and grounding in international human rights law, particularly as recognised and developed through the UN machinery for the promotion and protection of human rights and regional human rights bodies.

The module starts by examining the actors bound by, and contributing to the development of, international human rights law as well as key critiques, methods of interpretation, and questions of scope and application.

The module then turns to examine specific human rights, including: the rights to life, to be free from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, to not be subject to enforced disappearance, to liberty and security of the person, to fair trial, to an adequate standard of living, to social security, to the highest attainable standard of health, to education, cultural rights, privacy, to freedom of religion, expression, association and assembly, to a healthy environment, and to a remedy. The module also studies treaties on the rights of specific groups.

While a wide range of rights are considered, the length of the course prohibits a comprehensive exploration. However, the design of the course ensures that any rights not covered are addressed elsewhere in the syllabus.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:

To ensure students understand the international legal standards for human rights, and can evaluate human rights claims appropriately, apply the law, and challenge or criticize the application of the law. The aims are to be achieved by engaging in advanced analysis of a few key human rights in a context-specific manner.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of legal methodology and writing appropriate to a Master’s level course.

Discuss and evaluate the nature of human rights law generally.

Discuss, evaluate, and apply the content of specific human rights.

Discuss and evaluate the relationship between types of rights.

Respond critically and thoughtfully to practical problems.

Apply the law accurately and critically to practical situations.

Module information

Indicative Topics

A. Common issues

Introduction to ICCPR / ICESCR and their common obligations (respect, protect, and fulfil))

Interrelated, Interdependent, and Universal?

Right to an effective remedy, justiciability & enforcement

B. Limitations to the Obligations

Progressive realisation versus immediate obligations

Jurisdiction and extraterritoriality

Limitations and derogations

C. Specific Obligations
Obligations related to Life and Bodily Integrity

Right to Life

Adequate standard of living

Health

All topics will be explored from a specific International Humanitarian Law perspective.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

Weekly 2-hour seminars
Weekly 1-hour tutorials

The module teaching team will upload all relevant teaching materials on Moodle. You will find reading lists, the textbook, weekly handouts or PPS notes on Moodle. The materials in question are designed both to help you navigate the material to be covered in the seminars and to equip you to analyse the required readings. You will be expected to have completed the required readings in advance of your seminars.

Bibliography*

Ssenyonjo, M. (2016b) 'Chapter 2: State obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights', in Economic, social and cultural rights in international law. Second edition. Oxford: Hart Publishing. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/582767.
Ssenyonjo, M. (2016a) 'Chapter 1: The international legal protection of economic, social and cultural rights', in Economic, social and cultural rights in international law. Second edition. Oxford: Hart Publishing. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/582767.
Megret, F. (2018a) 'Chapter 5: Nature of obligations', in International Human Rights Law. 3rd Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 86–109. Available at: https://www.oxfordlawtrove.com/view/10.1093/he/9780198767237.001.0001/he-9780198767237-chapter-5.
Charilaos Nikolaidis (2016) 'Chapter 1: Equality and the Quest for Substance', in The Right to Equality in European Human Rights Law: The Quest for Substance in the Jurisprudence of the European Courts. Routledge. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=817720.
Mégret, F. and Msipa, D. (2014) 'Global Reasonable Accommodation: How the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Changes the Way We Think About Equality', South African Journal on Human Rights, 30(2), pp. 252–274. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/19962126.2014.11865109.
Moeckli, D. (2018) 'Chapter 8: Equality and Non-Discrimination', in International Human Rights Law. 3rd Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 148–164. Available at: https://www.oxfordlawtrove.com/view/10.1093/he/9780198767237.001.0001/he-9780198767237-chapter-8.
Warwick, B.T. (2019) 'Social Minima at the UN Treaty Bodies: Minimal Consistency?', in T. Kotkas, I. Leijten, and F. Pennings (eds) Specifying and Securing A Social Minimum in the Battle Against Poverty. Hart Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509926053.ch-013.
Warwick, B.T.C. (2019) 'Unwinding Retrogression: Examining the Practice of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?', Human Rights Law Review [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/hrlr/ngz023.
Riedel, E., Giacca, G. and Golay, C. (2014) 'Chapter 1: “The Development of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in International Law”', in Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in International Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 3–48. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199685974.001.0001.
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (no date) 'Human Rights Indicators: A Guide to Measurement and Implementation.' Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/documents/publications/human_rights_indicators_en.pdf.
Joseph, S. and Dipnall, S. (2018) 'Chapter 6: Scope of application', in International Human Rights Law. 3rd Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 110–131. Available at: https://www.oxfordlawtrove.com/view/10.1093/he/9780198767237.001.0001/he-9780198767237-chapter-6.
Clapham, A. (2018) 'Chapter 28: Non-state actors', in International Human Rights Law. 3rd Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 557–579. Available at: https://www.oxfordlawtrove.com/view/10.1093/he/9780198767237.001.0001/he-9780198767237-chapter-28.
Megret, F. (2018b) 'Chapter 5: Nature of obligations', in International Human Rights Law. 3rd Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 86–109. Available at: https://www.oxfordlawtrove.com/view/10.1093/he/9780198767237.001.0001/he-9780198767237-chapter-5.
Doswald-Beck, L. (2011) 'Chapter 3: The regime of limitations and derogations', in Human Rights in Times of Conflict and Terrorism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 68–105. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=2244956&site=ehost-live.
Ní Aoláin, Fionnuala (no date) 'Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism on the human rights challenge of states of emergency in the context of countering terrorism.' Available at: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/1652155?ln=en.
Megret, F. (2018c) 'Nature of obligations', in International Human Rights Law. 3rd Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 86–109. Available at: https://www.oxfordlawtrove.com/view/10.1093/he/9780198767237.001.0001/he-9780198767237-chapter-5.
McGoldrick, D. (2016) 'A DEFENCE OF THE MARGIN OF APPRECIATION AND AN ARGUMENT FOR ITS APPLICATION BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE', International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 65(1), pp. 21–60. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020589315000457.
Sandoval, C., Leach, P. and Murray, R. (2020) 'Monitoring, cajoling and promoting dialogue – what role for supranational human rights bodies in the implementation of individual decisions?', Journal of Human Rights Practice [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huaa009.
Meyer, D.S. and Boutcher, S.A. (2007) 'Signals and Spillover: Brown v. Board of Education and Other Social Movements', Perspectives on Politics, 5(01). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1537592707070077.
Luban, D. (2010) 'Carl Schmitt and the Critique of Lawfare', Case W. Res. J. Int'l L., 43, pp. 457–471. Available at: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/214077741.pdf.
Amnesty International (2012) '“Italy: ”Historic" European Court judgment upholds migrants' rights”'. Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2012/02/italy-historic-european-court-judgment-upholds-migrants-rights/.
Open Society Justice Initiative (2018) 'Strategic Litigation Impacts: Insights from Global Experience.' Available at: https://www.justiceinitiative.org/publications/strategic-litigation-impacts-insights-global-experience.
Amnesty International (2021) 'No one will look for you' Forcibly returned from sea to abusive detention in Libya.' Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/MDE1944392021ENGLISH.pdf.
Casla, K. (2022) 'Unpredictable and damaging? A human rights case for the proportionality assessment of evictions in the private rental sector', 2022(3). Available at: https://essexlawresearch.blog/2022/06/30/a-human-rights-case-for-the-proportionality-assessment-of-evictions-in-the-private-rental-sector/.
Grootboom dies homeless and penniless (2008). Mail & Guardian. Available at: https://mg.co.za/article/2008-08-08-grootboom-dies-homeless-and-penniless/.
Vanhala, L. (2020) Why ideas and identity matter in climate change litigation. Open Global Rights. Available at: https://www.openglobalrights.org/why-ideas-and-identity-matter-in-climate-change-litigation/.
Zuloaga, P.P. (2020) 'Judging Inter-American Human Rights: The Riddle of Compliance with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights', Human Rights Quarterly, 42(2), pp. 392–433. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1353/hrq.2020.0022.
Pieterse, M. (1999) 'A Different Shade of Red: Socio-Economic Dimensions of the Right to Life in South Africa', South African Journal on Human Rights, 15(3), pp. 372–385. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/02587203.1999.11835016.
Rodley, N. and Pollard, M. (2009a) 'Chapter 6: Extra-legal executions', in Treatment of Prisoners under International Law. 3rd Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199693566.001.0001.
Rodley, N. and Pollard, M. (2009b) 'Chapter 7: The death penalty', in Treatment of Prisoners under International Law. 3rd Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199693566.001.0001.
Rodley, N. (2018) 'Chapter 9: Integrity of the Person', in International Human Rights Law. 3rd Revised edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 175–184. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/281814.
Ssenyonjo, M. (2016d) 'Chapter 10', in Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in International Law. 2nd Revised edition. Oxford: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, pp. 507–557. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/582767.
Chapman, A.R. (2016) 'Chapter 3: Health and Human Rights in the Neoliberal Era', in Global Health, Human Rights, and the Challenge of Neoliberal Policies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 72–114. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781316104576.003.
Cottingham, J., Germain, A. and Hunt, P. (2012) 'Use of human rights to meet the unmet need for family planning', The Lancet, 380(9837), pp. 172–180. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60732-6.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Matthew Gillett, email: matthew.gillett@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Dr. Marina Lostal; Dr. Koldo Casla; Professor Ahmed Shaheed; Dr. Tara Van Ho; Dr. Tuba Turan; Dr Ebba Lekvall; Dr Julie Hannah

Contact details:

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Luke Moffett

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording:* Of 39 hours, 38 (97.4%) hours available to students:
1 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Essex Law School

* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.

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The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Module Directory

LW901-7-AU-CO:International Human Rights Law: Law and Practice