LAW 557
International Human Rights Law
(Harrington)
Prerequisite courses: None
Prerequisite for: None
Instructor: Professor Joanna Harrington
Course credit: 3
Method of presentation: seminar combining lectures and discussion
METHOD OF EVALUATION
A two-page briefing note (15%), a short oral presentation in class (10%), and a legal research paper of no more than 5000 words (inclusive of footnotes) on a current topic of international human rights law (75%).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course examines the international legal protection of human rights, focussing on the international treaties negotiated by states at both the UN and regional levels that protect and promote a wide variety of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Various human rights are considered, from civil and political rights such as the right to life, the right to a fair trial, and the right to freedom of expression, to economic and social rights, such as the right to health and the right to water, as well as current hot topics such as the rights of Indigenous peoples, a human right to a sustainable environment, and the drafting of a “business and human rights” treaty.
The course also examines the institutions and mechanisms available under international law for the promotion and protection of this wide array of human rights obligations, and the domestic implementation of Canada’s human rights obligations at the national level. Note that the phrase “human rights law” as used both outside Canada and under international law is not limited to anti-discrimination law. The right to equality is an important human right, but it is not the only human right to be examined in this course. Students with an interest in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and constitutional litigation will also find this course of interest.
Looking for experiential (practice-related) learning? This course has a strong legal skills component, with dedicated classes on legal research strategies and effective written communication skills. These skills have been identified as relevant to the practice of law by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. The instructor currently serves as a federal human rights commissioner, and previously served as a legal adviser with the United Nations, Human Rights and Economic Law Division of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs.
SPECIAL COMMENTS
Description updated 2021-22. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
TBA