International Human Rights Law
Learn Path Description
Examine the shortcomings of human rights law & what can be done to address themInternational human rights law is an exciting and ever-evolving area of international law. Human rights are claimed to be universal, applicable to everyone no matter their status or where they are from. But what are human rights, and do they in fact apply to everyone? On this ExpertTrack from the University of Kent, you’ll examine whether human rights law is a truly universal body designed to protect all human beings irrespective of their origins or status. Delve into the history and structure of human rights law Throughout the first course, you’ll examine the nature of international human rights law. You’ll explore what constitutes international human rights law and how it evolved, questioning its claimed universality and exploring the legal modes for protection of human rights at the level of the United Nations. Uncover how current human rights law affects marginalised people The second course asks how well this body of law serves the marginalised. You’ll look at how the claims of universality are challenged when confronted by claims made by women, by the world’s poor, by refugees and asylum seekers, and by undocumented migrants. Develop plans and strategies to enhance the protection of human rights On the third and final course, you’ll examine how universality claims are challenged by particular ways of life, specifically indigenous peoples and people of faith. You’ll look at the impact of the pandemic on human rights and, more generally, what can be done in the future to improve human rights protection. During the last week, you’ll devise plans and strategies of your own, drawing from the materials throughout this ExpertTrack and your own professional experience, to develop ideas of how you might promote human rights protection. Learn from the experts at the University of Kent Kent Law School is one of the UK’s leading law schools, offering a distinctive critical approach to their syllabuses, ultimately placing law within the wider context of society. With a recognised excellence in teaching, world-class research, and an award-winning law clinic, they offer an intellectually stimulating environment in which to study law, including international human rights law. Throughout the duration of this ExpertTrack, you’ll look beneath the surface of the law and study its complexity and contradictions. This enhances what is already a fascinating subject, international human rights law, and means you’ll finish with a deeper understanding and a wealth of new skills.
Skills You Will Gain
Courses In This Learning Path
Total Duration
4 weeks
Level
Beginner
Learn Type
Certifications
What is International Human Rights Law?
The slow development of international human right law began with 1948's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was followed by 1965's adoption of the first binding UN human-rights treaty.
This course is four weeks long and will examine the nature and evolution of international human rights law. It will also ask questions about its geography and history, and how it has impacted on the question of its universality.
We'll take you through time to show you some of the most important moments that led to international human rights law.
You'll learn about the history of the Magna Carta and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, or ICCPR.
Week three of the course will discuss the widely-held universality of human right; the arguments in favor and against the notion that all human rights laws are applicable and relevant to everyone, anywhere on the planet.
In order to evaluate universality claims, you'll look at the historical background leading to the adoption of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This week's final week will be spent examining the UN human rights system. It includes both the treaties and the bodies that oversee the implementation. A brief overview of regional systems to protect human rights will be provided.
Total Duration
4 weeks
Level
Intermediate
Learn Type
Certifications
How Well Does International Human Rights Law Serve Marginalised People?
This four-week course at the University of Kent will help you to understand universality claims and examine marginalized groups. It will also allow you to ask how international human rights law can be applied to them.
The UN human rights treaties are inadequate for protecting women's rights. Scholars and activists in particular have called for a separate treaty to address violence against women. This course's first week will focus on violence against women and discrimination.
According to scholars, the poor are the most vulnerable group in the world when it comes to human rights. People often refer to human rights in general when they talk about civil and political rights such as freedom to express oneself or the right to a fair hearing. How about other rights, such as the right of health and education?
This week you will be examining economic, cultural, and social rights. They aim to protect people who are struggling with poverty and inequality. The impact of globalization on the poor around the globe will also be examined.
You will be focusing on the human rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and irregular migrants for the last two weeks. The Refugee Convention will be examined and its flaws. The Refugee Convention and its shortcomings will be examined.
This course will be completed by you completing an assignment that argues your view on one of its topics.
Total Duration
4 weeks
Level
Beginner
Learn Type
Certifications
Human Rights, Ways of Life, and the Future
Although the struggle for human rights is what spawned it, many countries have already made changes to their laws and practices in this area. Is there anything more we can do?
This course is four weeks long and will examine the challenges to human rights law that are presented by indigenous peoples' lives. Before you consider the future of human right law, you'll also examine the effects of the Covid-19 global pandemic on human freedoms.
For centuries, religion has been a source of conflict and war throughout the world. This is why many efforts have been made to safeguard religious freedom.
This course's first week will focus on the importance of religious freedom. The second week will focus on European Muslim women's freedom to wear clothing that covers their faces in public. You'll be able to see the responses from different governments and gain insight into the state tolerance in 21st century Europe.
Individuals and companies engaged in land grabbing are destroying the ways of life of many indigenous people.
This course will teach you how indigenous peoples made creative use existing human rights standards in order to preserve their way of life.
The global COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be a major factor in increasing inequality and poverty.
We'll be discussing the impact of the pandemic upon different populations and the impact of emergency response on democratic processes and human right.
You are being asked to submit ideas this week for improving protection of human rights, particularly for the marginalised and poor.
