Course Overview

Welcome to EarthTab Business School. My name is Aisha Lawal and i will be your course preceptor for the course International Law And Human Rights. The course “International Law and Human Rights” is an advanced, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary study designed to equip you with a profound understanding of the frameworks, principles, institutions, mechanisms, and practices governing the international legal system, with a special emphasis on the protection and promotion of human rights. It delves into both public and private international law, juxtaposing state-centric regulations with the increasingly influential norms of human rights law, and explores how these domains intersect with global governance, diplomacy, and international relations.

Scope and Purpose

The course is structured to provide an exhaustive exploration of the origins, evolution, and contemporary challenges of international law, alongside the critical study of human rights frameworks, both at the global and regional levels. It examines the historical development of international law, from the early codifications of customary practices and treaties in European diplomacy, to modern treaties such as the United Nations Charter, the Geneva Conventions, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). By highlighting the evolution of legal doctrines and mechanisms, the course ensures that you understand how international law functions as both a normative guide and an enforcement mechanism in global governance.

On the human rights side, the course offers an exhaustive analysis of human dignity, fundamental freedoms, equality, and justice as the core pillars of human rights. It covers the emergence of international human rights law (IHRL) post-World War II, the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and subsequent binding treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). You explore the interconnections between human rights norms, humanitarian law, and international criminal law, understanding how they collectively aim to prevent atrocities, protect vulnerable populations, and uphold justice across borders.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Analyze the historical development of international law and human rights law, identifying key milestones, doctrines, and influential legal scholars.
   
   

2. Interpret treaties, conventions, and customary international law with respect to their applicability, enforcement, and limitations in contemporary global governance.
   
   

3. Evaluate the structure, functions, and competencies of major international institutions, such as the United Nations, International Court of Justice (ICJ), International Criminal Court (ICC), and regional human rights bodies like the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
   
   

4. Critically assess state compliance and the enforcement mechanisms of international law and human rights obligations, including sanctions, judicial remedies, and soft law strategies.
   
   

5. Examine contemporary challenges including globalization, terrorism, climate change, migration, humanitarian crises, and the increasing tension between sovereignty and international accountability.
   
   

6. Develop practical skills for drafting legal instruments, conducting human rights assessments, engaging in international advocacy, and participating in diplomatic negotiations.
   
   

Key Themes and Modules

The course is divided into ten comprehensive modules that explore every dimension of international law and human rights:

1. Foundations and Sources of International Law: Customary law, treaties, principles, doctrines, and state practice.
   
   

2. Principles and Philosophy of Human Rights: Natural law, positivism, human dignity, equality, and liberty.
   
   

3. International Institutions and Governance: UN system, ICJ, ICC, and regional human rights bodies.
   
   

4. State Responsibility and Sovereignty: Legal personality of states, recognition, jurisdiction, and immunity.
   
   

5. Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Protection: Geneva Conventions, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and enforcement.
   
   

6. Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights: Labour rights, health, education, and global development obligations.
   
   

7. Civil and Political Rights: Freedom of expression, assembly, voting, and protection against arbitrary detention.
   
   

8. Contemporary Challenges to International Law and Human Rights: Climate change, terrorism, cyber law, refugees, and pandemics.
   
   

9. International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice: ICC, tribunals, truth commissions, reparations, and reconciliation processes.
   
   

10. Future of International Law and Human Rights: Hybrid governance, human rights diplomacy, compliance mechanisms, and global accountability strategies.
    
    

Methodology

The course employs a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach, combining:

• Theoretical study of legal doctrines, treaties, conventions, and customary law.
  
  

• Case-based learning of landmark international cases such as Nuremberg Trials, Rwandan Genocide, and International Court of Justice judgments.
  
  

• Practical exercises including drafting legal instruments, simulating human rights advocacy campaigns, and role-playing international negotiations.
  
  

• Research and critical analysis, fostering the ability to critique legal arguments, assess compliance mechanisms, and propose solutions to global human rights issues.
  
  

Target Audience

This course is designed for:

• Law students and legal practitioners seeking specialization in international law or human rights law.
  
  

• Diplomats, policy analysts, and public administrators engaged in international relations and governance.
  
  

• Human rights activists, civil society members, and NGO personnel seeking advanced legal knowledge.
  
  

• Academics and researchers aiming to understand the complexities of international legal frameworks and human rights protection mechanisms.
  
  

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion, you will have:

• Mastered a deep understanding of legal instruments, enforcement mechanisms, and international governance structures.
  
  

• Developed the analytical and practical skills necessary to advocate for human rights, assess compliance, and engage in international diplomacy.
  
  

• Cultivated a nuanced appreciation for cultural, political, and economic contexts affecting the application of international law.
  
  

• Positioned themselves as competent actors capable of influencing policy, research, and practice in the global legal and human rights arena.

I look forward to congratulating you upon completion of this course.