LW930-7-SP-CO:
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Context
2023/24
Essex Law School
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
20 October 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
LLM M2M012 Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
LLM M2M024 Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
This module builds on the foundational introduction to Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) provided in module International Human Rights Law: Law and Practice.
Other related modules that may of interest to students of ESCR are: Human Rights and Women, Human Rights Centre Clinic, Protection of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Development, Investment, Trade and Human Rights, Business and Human Rights and Human Rights, Social Justice and Social Change.
ESCR includes the right to work, rights at work, the right to health, the right to an adequate standard of living (including housing, water, clothing and food), the right to education, the right to social security and the right to culture.
Using international human rights principles and standards as the starting point, the module puts ESCR in context. Notwithstanding the importance of the judicial enforceability of these rights, the module goes beyond justiciability and looks at international and national challenges and opportunities to advance progressively in the fulfilment of ESCR.
The contextualisation of ESCR begins with an intersectional approach to tackle multiple and overlapping forms of discrimination and disadvantage (Seminar 1). The module presents ESCR as part of the social determinants of health outcomes and health inequalities (Seminar 2). Taking ESCR seriously means understanding access to culture and scientific progress as a matter of human rights, and to see cultural diversity as an enriching ingredient for society (Seminar 3).
The following four seminars explore burning challenges for ESCR in light of some of the multiple crises of our times: the financial crisis, the crisis of the welfare state, global warming, Covid-19… These sessions unpack the relationship between work and human rights (Seminar 4), the role of taxation in the sustenance of the State (Seminar 5), the trend towards the privatisation of social services and the responsibilities of public authorities (Seminar 6), and the impact of austerity in public finance on the availability of resources to satisfy ESCR (Seminar 7).
Seminar 8 looks at the unequal power relation between core and periphery in international political economy, and the critically important role of international financial institutions in relation to ESCR globally.
Finally, Seminar 9 examines the international human rights mechanisms available to advance ESCR and to hold States to account when they fail to respect, protect and fulfil these rights.
By the end of the seminar series, students will have developed a critical understanding of:
1. States` obligations under international human rights law to promote and protect ESCR at the level of policy.
2. The importance of the intersectional approach to equality and non-discrimination when monitoring ESCR.
3. The challenges posed by contemporary crises in relation to work, welfare state, public finance, privatisation, and international trade and investment.
4. Some methods to assess progress and retrogression in the satisfaction of ESCR.
5. International mechanisms to monitor compliance with international law on ESCR and to hold States accountable.
Indicative course outline
1. Intersectionality, equality and ESCR.
2. Social determinants of health.
3. Cultural rights. Dr Marina Lostal.
4. Right to work and rights at work.
5. Public finance, taxation and welfare state.
6. Privatisation and private delivery of social services.
7. Austerity and non-retrogression: Principles and monitoring.
8. International trade, investment and ESCR.
9. ESCR and international human rights mechanisms.
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.
-
Ikawa, D. (2020) ‘The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol’, in
Research Handbook on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as Human Rights. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 14–26. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=6379625&ppg=42.
-
Chenwi, L. (2020) ‘The African system’, in
Research Handbook on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as Human Rights. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 27–47. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=6379625&ppg=55.
-
O’Cinneide, C. (2020) ‘The European system’, in
Research Handbook on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as Human Rights. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 48–66. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=6379625&ppg=76.
-
Krsticevic, V. (2020) ‘The Inter-American System’, in
Research Handbook on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as Human Rights. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 67–87. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=6379625&ppg=95.
-
-
OHCHR | International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (no date a). Available at:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/cescr.aspx.
-
-
Maastricht Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations (2023) (no date). Available at:
https://www.rightsoffuturegenerations.org/the-principles.
-
Siri Gloppen and Catalina Vallejo (2020) ‘Chapter 19: The climate crisis: litigation and economic, social and cultural rights’, in Jackie Dugard et al. (eds)
Research Handbook on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights As Human Rights. Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, pp. 386–409. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=6379625&ppg=414.
-
CRC, Sacchi, et al. v. Argentina, et al. - Climate Change Litigation (case summary) (no date). Available at:
http://climatecasechart.com/non-us-case/sacchi-et-al-v-argentina-et-al/.
-
Mantouvalou, V. (ed.) (2015)
The right to work: legal and philosophical perspectives. Oxford: Hart Publishing. Available at:
https://www-bloomsburycollections-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/monograph?docid=b-9781474202077.
-
-
Hepple, B. (1981) ‘A Right to Work?’,
Industrial Law Journal, 10(1), pp. 65–83. Available at:
https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/indlj10&i=81.
-
UN Committee on Economic (no date)
General comment No. 24 on State obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the context of business activities, E/C.12/GC/24, 2017. Available at:
https://undocs.org/en/E/C.12/GC/24.
-
Nolan, A. (2018) ‘Privatization and Economic and Social Rights’,
Human Rights Quarterly, 40(4), pp. 815–858. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1353/hrq.2018.0047.
-
Cordelli, C. (2021) ‘The Wrong of Privatization: A Kantian Account’, in A. Dorfman and A. Harel (eds)
The Cambridge Handbook of Privatization. Cambridge University Press, pp. 21–36. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108684330.002.
-
Mégret, F. (2021) ‘Are There "Inherently Sovereign Functions” in International Law?’,
American Journal of International Law, 115(3), pp. 452–492. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1017/ajil.2021.23.
-
Salomon, M.E. (no date) ‘Of Austerity, Human Rights and International Institutions.’ Edited by LSE Law. Available at:
http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/61582/1/Of%20Austerity,%20Human.pdf.
-
UN CESCR (no date)
Statement on Public Debt, Austerity Measures and ICESCR, UN doc. E/C.12/2016/1. Available at:
https://platforma.org.rs/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Statement-Public-Debt-Austerity-Measures-and-ESCRs-CESCR.pdf.
-
UN Independent Expert on the Effects of Foreign Debt on Human Rights (no date)
Guiding Principles for Human Rights Impact Assessments for Economic Reform Policies, UN doc. A/HRC/40/57. Available at:
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Development/IEDebt/Pages/DebtandImpactassessments.aspx.
-
OHCHR | International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (no date b). United Nations. Available at:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/cescr.aspx.
-
UN. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (20th sess.?: 1999?: Geneva) (no date) ‘The right to adequate food (art.11)?:: general comment 12 (20th session, 1999).’ Available at:
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/1491194?ln=en.
-
UN. Human Rights Council (39th sess.?: 2018?: Geneva) (no date) ‘United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas?:: resolution /: adopted by the Human Rights Council on 28 September 2018.’ Available at:
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/1650694.
-
Bourke-Martignoni, J. (2020) ‘Chapter 8: The right to food’, in jackie Dugard, B. Porter, and D. Ikawa (eds)
Research Handbook on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights As Human Rights, pp. 137–158. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=6379625&ppg=165.
-
-
‘Olivier de Schutter (2011) Report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, A/HRC/19/59’ (no date). Available at:
https://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/19session/A.HRC.19.59_English.pdf.
-
Margot Salomon (no date)
Culture as an Alternative to ‘Sustainable Development’ – TWAILR. Available at:
https://twailr.com/culture-as-an-alternative-to-sustainable-development/.
-
People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India & Ors, In the Supreme Court of India, Civil Original Jurisdiction, Writ Petition (Civil) No.196 of 2001 | ESCR-Net (no date). Available at:
https://www.escr-net.org/caselaw/2006/peoples-union-civil-liberties-v-union-india-ors-supreme-court-india-civil-original.
-
Equal Education and Others v. Minister of Basic Education and Others, 22588/2020, High Court of South Africa. summary by ESCR-Net (no date). Available at:
https://www.escr-net.org/caselaw/2020/equal-education-and-others-v-minister-basic-education-and-others-225882020.
-
Crenshaw, K. (1989) ‘Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics.’ Available at:
https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1052&context=uclf.
-
Colm O’Cinneide (2020) ‘The Potential and Pitfalls of Intersectionality in the Context of Social Rights Adjudication.’, pp. 59–82. Available at:
https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph-detail?docid=b-9781509935321&tocid=b-9781509935321-chapter3.
-
Sekalala, S.
et al. (2021) ‘An intersectional human rights approach to prioritising access to COVID-19 vaccines’,
BMJ Global Health, 6(2). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004462.
-
Ferando (et al), T. (no date) ‘Commons and Commoning for a Just Agroecological Transition: The Importance of Decolonising and Decommodifying our Food Systems.’ Available at:
https://pure.coventry.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/59955492/Post_Print.pdf.
-
Sandra Lovelace v. Canada, Communication No. 24/1977: Canada 30/07/81, UN Doc. CCPR/C/13/D/24/1977. | ESCR-Net (no date). Available at:
https://www.escr-net.org/caselaw/2010/sandra-lovelace-v-canada-communication-no-241977-canada-300781-un-doc-ccprc13d241977.
-
Alyne da Silva Pimentel v. Brazil (Communication No. 17/2008) (CEDAW decision) case summary by ESCR-Net (no date). Available at:
https://www.escr-net.org/caselaw/2011/alyne-da-silva-pimentel-v-brazil-communication-no-172008.
-
J.D. and A v UK - ECHRdecision. European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC) case summary (no date). Available at:
https://ehrac.org.uk/en_gb/key-ehrac-cases/j-d-and-a-v-uk/.
-
Cuscul Pivaral and Others vs. Guatemala (Inter American Court of Human Rights) ESCR-Net case summary (no date). Available at:
https://www.escr-net.org/caselaw/2019/cuscul-pivaral-and-others-vs-guatemala.
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 |
| Coursework |
Essay (LW930 Economic Social and Cultural Rights) |
|
100% |
Additional coursework information
This module will be assessed by way of a 5,000-word essay.
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Ms Judith Bueno De Mesquita, email: jrbuen@essex.ac.uk.
Law Education Office, pgtlawqueries@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
Dr Titilayo Adebola
University of Aberdeen
Lecturer in Law
Available via Moodle
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.
Essex Law School
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.