Prerequisite: By permission of instructor. The permission is just to verify the prerequisite.  Students who have taken the International Human Rights introductory course at HLS or who have completed a semester in the International Human Rights Clinic will definitely receive permission to enroll, but for technical reasons they should contact the instructor so that he can facilitate registration; other students who have not taken those courses but believe that they have equivalent preparation equivalent to that course may contact the instructor, who will grant permission if he agrees that their prior preparation is equivalent. (Merely taking Public International Law is not sufficient.)  Auditing will not be permitted.

Exam Type: No Exam. Grading will be based on class participation and a series of short reaction papers.

This advanced seminar was designed as a capstone experience in human rights.  It will focus on selected topics relating to the work of the UN human rights treaty bodies, including the Human Rights Committee (of which the instructor was previously a member), often in comparative perspective. Topics vary from year to year, but may include such subjects as arbitrary detention, religious exemptions, the right to life, forced evictions, the rights of the child, “hate speech,” rights of persons with disabilities, migrants’ rights, climate change, and international monitoring procedures.

Note: This course will meet on the following dates: January 31, February 7, February 21, March 6, March 27, April 10.