International Human Rights

Unit 1 — Historical development of concept of human rights [12 units]

Human rights in Indian tradition, ancient, medieval and modem. Human rights in Western tradition, classification of human rights, individual and group rights, generation of human rights. Concept of natural law, natural rights. Human rights in legal tradition, international law and national law.

• Human Rights: Concept, Definition, Evolution, Characteristics, Need, Limitations, Theories of Development of Natural Rights, Theories of Utilitarianism, Idealism, Socialism and Positivism
• Human Rights in India, the tradition of Human Rights in Indian context: ancient, medieval and modern
• First, Second and Third Generation Human Rights: Their Meaning, Historical
• Universality of Human Rights
• Human Rights in Western tradition, Normative Foundation of International Human Rights
• The American Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights & the French

Unit 2 — UN and Human rights [12 units]

Provisions under the Charter of UN - Preamble, Articles 1(3), 13(1)(b), 55 and 56. · Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights 1966. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966 · Conventions and Protocols dealing with Human Rights.

• The UN Human Rights System and UDHR
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, First Optional Protocol, Second

Unit 3 — Human rights and vulnerable groups [10 units]

Women, Child, Migrant Workers; Refugees, Internally Displaced, Relevant International Conventions and Declarations.

• Human Rights Protection of Vulnerable Groups The Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), 1979
• Human Rights: LGBT, Refugees and Aliens

Unit 4 — Role of regional organizations [12 units]

European Convention on Human Rights. · American Convention Human Rights. · African Convention Human Rights.

• Regional Arrangements

Unit 5 — Protection agencies and mechanisms [12 units]

International commission of human rights. Non-Governmental organizations. Amnesty international. European Commission on Human Rights/Court of Human Rights. U.N. Division of Human Rights. International Labour Organization. UNESCO, UNICEF

• Role of ILO, UNESCO, UNICEF and WHO
• UN SDG's, Right to Environment, Role of NGOs in protection of Human Rights
• Amnesty international

Unit 6 — Impact and implementation of international human rights norms in India [10 units]

Human rights norms reflected in fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution, Directive principles, legislative and administrative implementation of international human rights norms.

• Indian Constitution and Human Rights: Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles

Unit 7 — Enforcement of Human Rights in India [12 units]

Role of courts, the Supreme Court, High Courts and other courts. Statutory commissions, National Human Rights Commission, State Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Women, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Minority and Backward Class.

• The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
• National Commission for Women: Constitution, Role and Responsibilities
• National Commission for Minorities: Constitution, Role and Responsibilities
• National Commission for Scheduled Castes: Constitution, Role and Responsibilities
• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes: Constitution, Role and Responsibilities
• Role of Judiciary in Protection of Human Rights in India

Unit 8 — Significance of Human Rights Education [4 units]

Meaning and Definition of Human Rights Education · Role of UN in the Promotion of Human Rights Education · Role of Government of India in the Promotion of Human Rights Education - UGC and Universities