Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

International Organisations & Human Rights

International Organisations & Human Rights
3
12344
4
Second semester
op
Optatividad
Elective
Main language of instruction: English

Teaching staff


Dr. MACÍAS LÓPEZ, Mario - mmacias@uic.es

Appointment by previous e mail to the teacher.

Introduction

This course introduces students to the study of human rights, their historical evolution, main characteristics, and normative framework at both international and regional levels. It also explores the fundamental role of international organizations in the protection and guarantee of human rights, examining how these entities interrelate to establish global standards, foster cooperation between states, and monitor compliance with fundamental rights. The main objective is to provide students with conceptual and practical tools to understand, analyze, and promote the protection of human rights in various social, political, and cultural contexts.

Pre-course requirements

No Pre-course requirements are necessary.

Objectives

 

 

  1. Provide a thorough understanding of the historical evolution and concept of human rights at both global and regional levels.
  2. Analyze the main characteristics of human rights, including their universality, interdependence, indivisibility, and progressiveness.
  3. Study the international and regional normative framework of human rights, including key treaties and conventions.
  4. Examine the role of international organizations in the promotion, protection, and guarantee of human rights, and how they interrelate with one another.
  5. Develop the necessary skills to analyze and promote the protection of human rights in various social, political, and cultural contexts.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • 02 - To acquire the ability to understand, analyse and synthesise
  • 03 - To be able to express one's ideas and arguments in an orderly and coherent way both in oral and written form (written and oral techniques)
  • 05 - To be able to develop skills for group work
  • 06 - To acquire the ability to make decisions
  • 07 - To acquire negotiating and mediation skills
  • 20 - To have knowledge of the basic aspects of legal argumentation
  • 21 - To develop the ability to create and structure regulations
  • 24 - To acquire the skills to resolve problems and make decisions using relevant information and by applying correct methods while placing the issue within a legal system context
  • 25 - To acquire the skills for legal paperwork processing: composing texts, clarifying a position on a matter, use of forms, etc.
  • 26 - To master the techniques and other evidence taking stategies
  • 28 - To be able to read and understand bibliography and other legal texts in English

Learning outcomes of the subject

Fulfill the objectives stated in the different parts of the subject

Syllabus

 

Block 1: Introduction to Human Rights

Topic 1: Concept of Human Rights

  • Definition and historical evolution of human rights.
  • Main characteristics of human rights.
  • Universality, interdependence, indivisibility, and progressiveness.
  • Generations of human rights: civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and collective rights.
  • Main traits of the system of international protections.
  • Critics to the idea of human rights.

Topic 2: International Human Rights Norms

  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948):
    • Historical context and main articles.
  • International Covenants:
    • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
    • International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
  • Other specific instruments:
    • Convention against Torture (1984).
    • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW, 1979).
    • Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).

Topic 3: Regional Human Rights Norms

  • Inter-American Human Rights System (American Convention on Human Rights, 1969).
  • European System (European Convention on Human Rights, 1950).
  • African System (African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, 1981).
  • Emerging norms in Asia and the Arab world.

Block 2: International Organizations and Human Rights Protection

Topic 4: United Nations System

  • Main structure:
    • General Assembly and Human Rights Council.
    • United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
  • Jurisdictional protection mechanisms:
    • International Court of Justice.
    • International Criminal Court.

Topic 5: Human Rights Courts and Commissions

5.1 Inter-American System:

  • Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
  • Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

5.2 African System:

  • African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
  • African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights.

Topic 6: European System: Council of Europe and its European Court of Human Rights

  • European Convention on Human Rights:
    • Main rights protected.
  • European Court of Human Rights (ECHR):
    • Procedures and functioning.
    • Impact on member states.

Topic 7: European Union and the Protection of Fundamental Rights

  • Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
  • Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and its role in the protection of fundamental rights.

Topic 8: Regional Organizations and Courts in Other Contexts

8.1 African Union:

  • African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (1987).
  • African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (2004).

8.2 Asia and the Arab World:

  • Emerging regional instruments and challenges in the protection of human rights.
  • Human Rights Committee of the Arab League.

Block 3: Conclusions

 

Teaching and learning activities

In person



B-. METHODOLOGY.

The subject aims to combine descriptive and theoretical presentations with class-by-class activities.

Student participation in the course will be very active. This will be reflected in the learning process in each class and in the evaluation system.

Continuous assessment (40%): Practical work, presentations, readings.
Attendance and participation (10%): Attendance is mandatory.
Final exam (50%)
The final exam must be passed with a minimum of 5 out of 10 for the continuous assessment and attendance to be considered.

 

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