Human Rights and International Criminal Law: An Introduction
Explore the connection between human rights law and international criminal law and reflect on their similarities and differences.
Who is the course for?
This course is for master’s students in international law and international relations, professionals, human rights activists and NGO officers looking to explore this area of international law studies.
What topics will you cover?
The parallel development of human rights law (HRL) and International criminal law (ICL)
HRL and ILC courts: mapping the respective competencies and tasks
Where do HRL and ICL converge or conflict? Limits, opportunities and challenges of prosecuting mass human rights violations
A gender-sensitive human rights perspective on ICL
Children’s rights and ICL prosecutions
International crimes in the jurisprudence of HRL courts
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to…
Explain the interplay between human rights, gender issues, the rights of the child, and international criminal law (ICL)
Assess to what extent ICL has actually met the expectations of the victims of crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, and what has been the contribution of international prosecutions to the cause of human rights
Compare the tools available for women and children to claim their rights when involved in situations of organised violence
Debate on whether international criminal and human rights courts effectively protect the most vulnerable in situations of armed conflict or widespread violence
Engage in mapping and sharing information on agencies that fight against sexual and gender-based violence
Reflect on what individuals, civil society organisations and like-minded governments done to prioritise human rights in fighting international crimes and ending impunity, and on what still needs be done
