International Human Rights

The course “International Human Rights” will provide an overview of the current international human rights regime: It covers the main international and regional human rights instruments and the different monitoring mechanisms. A substantial part of the course is dedicated to the discussion of cases. We will address current human rights issues such as freedom of expression, reproductive rights and the protection of minorities in the context of recent developments. The course is part of the Master Programme. A more detailed program can be found in the Syllabus 2023 (PDF, 447 KB)

Time and place of the class will be announced here. The course will only be held in person, i.e. no podcasts will be made available. 

As a companion and for introductory texts, we will rely onDaneil Moeckli, Sangeeta Shah, Sandesh Sivakumaran & David Harris (eds.), International Human Rights Law (4th ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022). The book may be purchased in paperback (at local online booksellers for approx. CHF 50-60.00) or as an E-book; copies are also available at the law librrary and (for some institutions) via online access.

To prepare for our first class, please consult chapters 1-3, the first of which may be accessed for free here.

To have access to all information, updates and course materials, students are required to enroll in our Moodle Course (tba). The password for the Moodle course will be given in the first class. Access to the platform is secured by UZH-AAI-Login. The slides of the first class can be found here (PDF, 1 MB).

Attendance in class is mandatory in order to allow for active participation. Students may be excused from class a maximum of two times. Any further absences have to be justified adequately. However, the students are asked to inform the chair via email in case of any absence. In addition, preparation and active participation in the discussions are a prerequisite for successfully completing the course. Please read all the texts listed under mandatory readings. Note that the mandatory reading assignments in the programme below are subject to change throughout the semester. Additional readings, which will be directly uploaded to Moodle, are meant to assist you should any topics be of particular interest to you. In class, active participation is required and can influence the final grade. Students will also have to give short group presentations.

There will be an exam at the end of the term. Details will be announced in class.

Further information can be found on Moodle. Please make yourself acquainted in advance with the uploaded documents. Camila Addiechi and Lara Müller, research assistants, are in charge of the course at the Chair of Prof. Langer and available to answer your questions (lst.langer@rwi.uzh.ch).