University of Essex

LW515-7-AU-CO:
Regional Human Rights Systems

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Essex Law School

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Autumn

Level: Postgraduate: Level 7

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 15 December 2023

Credits: 15

Last updated: 19 October 2023

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This module provides an overview of the main regional systems for the protection of human rights.

It identifies the applicable treaty and related standard-setting frameworks and provides a review of how they work to contribute to the protection of human rights in the respective regions.

The module also explores the similarities and differences among the regional systems, both in respect of procedures and substantive rights provision (especially with respect to women's rights).

It also provides some background to debates about how regional mechanisms relate or should relate to the domestic legal frameworks in the different regions as well as debates about the relative placement of the regional mechanisms vis-à-vis the universal (United Nations) system of human rights.

Module aims

The module aims to:

1. introduce students to the variety of human rights concepts, laws, practices, and institutions across various regions of the globe
2. provide students with an understanding of the diverse political, economic, social, and cultural contexts that affect human rights protection in different regions
3. enable students to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different regional human rights mechanisms

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of regional human rights in law and practice in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the diverse regional contexts and their impact upon human rights protection and promotion
3. Critically evaluate different regional human rights systems

Module information

Indicative Syllabus:

Week 1: Regionalizing Human Rights
Week 2: Inter-American System 1
Week 3: Inter-American System 2
Week 4: European System 1: European Convention on Human Rights
Week 5: European System 2: European Union and Human Rights
Week 6: African System 1
Week 7: African System 2
Week 8: Asian Systems and Non-Systems
Week 9: Reconsidering Regional Human Rights

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be taught via weekly 2-hour seminars. The module teaching team will upload all relevant teaching materials on Moodle. You will find reading lists, the textbook, weekly handouts or PPS notes on Moodle. The materials in question are designed both to help you navigate the material to be covered in the seminars and to equip you to analyse the required readings. You will be expected to have completed the required readings in advance of your seminars.

Bibliography

Moeckli, D. et al. (eds) (2022) International Human Rights Law. 4th edn. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/he/9780198860112.001.0001.
Twining, W. (ed.) (2009) Human Rights, Southern Voices. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511808364.
Cavallaro, J. et al. (2019) Doctrine, Practice, and Advocacy in the Inter-American Human Rights System. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5785400.
Rainey, B., McCormick, P. and Ovey, C. (2020) Jacobs, White, and Ovey: The European Convention on Human Rights. 8th ed. Oxford University Press, USA. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/he/9780198847137.001.0001.
Viljoen, F. (2012) International Human Rights Law in Africa. 2nd edn. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=975555.
De Varennes, F. and Gardiner, C.M. (eds) (2018) Routledge Handbook of Human Rights in Asia. 1st edn. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315720180.
Baik, T.-U. (2012) Emerging Regional Human Rights Systems in Asia. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139058445.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting
Exam	Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during January
Exam	Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during September (Reassessment Period)

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
0%	100%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
0%	100%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Charilaos Nikolaidis, email: hnikol@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff:

Contact details: Law Education Office, pgtlawqueries@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: Yes

External examiner

Name: Dr Luke Moffett

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 18 hours, 18 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Essex Law School

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Module Directory

LW515-7-AU-CO:Regional Human Rights Systems