251131 KU UN Human Rights Systems and Mechanisms (2024W)

The course UN Human Rights System and Mechanisms will introduce participants to the United Nations and its Human Rights System with a special focus on charter-based and treaty-based mechanisms. Students will first get an insight into the human rights mandate of the principal UN organs, to then focus on the work of selected subsidiary human rights organs, in particular of the UN Human Rights Council, including its Universal Periodic Review and special procedures as human rights mechanisms under its auspices. It will thereafter turn to the human rights treaty-based bodies, and particularly focus also on the intersections of human rights, environment and climate change and on the functioning of the UN Human Rights Committee. The course will offer lectures, engage students in a group work resulting in students’ presentations and encourage discussions with the lecturer and the peers.