Aims

This course examines, from the institutional point of view: a) the systems of human rights protection existing at universal level; b) the protection of human rights, whether recognised internationally or constitutionally guaranteed, protected under national legal systems; c) the protection of human rights in regional systems, including the European Union

Main themes

Apart from the Universal Bill of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), the following are examined: the European Convention on Human Rights, the American Convention on Human Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. To the extent that they present certain significant institutional innovations, certain sectoral instruments are also studied: for instance the Convention against Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the European Social Charter (including the Collective Complaints mechanism). One part of the course focus eson the relationship between national legal systems and international legal systems, as well as on the guarantee of rights protected by national constitutions. Lastly, , the course examines the protection of fundamental rights in the EU legal system.

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