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An introduction to international human rights instruments and institutions.
This course provides an introduction to international human rights law and the international human rights framework in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. The course aims to familiarise students with the core legal instruments and institutions relevant to the protection and promotion of human rights at the international level, along with some of the topical issues and controversies. The course will look at the historical origins of the human rights idea, discuss the major multilateral human rights treaties and institutions within the United Nations system, consider selected topical issues in the human rights field, and look at the links between international human rights and domestic implementation.This course is unlikely to be offered in 2026.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: carry out research in the international human rights field that demonstrates their information literacy; deliver a presentation that communicates their knowledge, understanding and critical evaluative skills to others; understand, interpret and critique the key elements of the international human rights framework; identify international human rights issues in factual scenarios and construct responses to those issues; and understand and explain the relationship between the international and domestic systems of human rights protection.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Biculturally competent and confident
Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
LAWS202-LAWS206
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Natalie Baird
Cassandra Mudgway , Liam Grant and Shea Esterling
Assessment is likely to consist of an opinion (30%), a group video presentation (20%) and a final exam (50%). Assessment tasks and dates will be confirmed in the first week of lectures.
Margaret Bedggood; International Human Rights Law in Aotearoa New Zealand ; Thomson Reuters, 2017.
McBeth, Adam;Nolan, Justine;Rice, Simon; The International Law of Human Rights 2e EBook ; 2nd; Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand, 2017.
Moeckli, Daniel, editor Shah, Sangeeta, editor Sivakumaran, Sandesh, editor Harris, D. J. (David John), editor; International human rights law / edited by Daniel Moeckli (University of Zurich), Sangeeta Shah (University of Nottingham), Sandesh Sivakumaran (University of Cambridge) ; consultant editor, David Harris (professor emeritus, University of Nottingham) ; 4th; Oxford University Press, 2022.
Domestic fee $946.00
International fee $4,850.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Faculty of Law .