Urgent Topics: International Human Rights Law About Palestine/Israel

Catalog description

This course introduces students to human rights and humanitarian law frameworks through the case study of Palestine and Israel. The course will first survey those frameworks and the role of international organizations, including United Nations bodies and agencies. Students will learn about the different avenues for accountability available under international law to monitor, document, prevent and investigate rights violations including the United Nations human rights mechanisms such as the Human Rights Council's fact-finding missions and commission of inquiry, special procedures, and treaty bodies. The course will also introduce students to the role of international courts with relevant jurisdiction (International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court) to adjudicate and investigate genocide, crimes against humanity (including the crime of apartheid) and war crimes and their efficacy in preventing crimes and providing justice for victims. The course will conclude with examination of future peaceful solutions using transitional justice approaches and mechanisms based on comparative examples.