How Well Does International Human Rights Law Serve Marginalised People?

Uncover the shortcomings of international human rights law

On this four-week course from the University of Kent, you’ll delve deeper into universality claims, specifically examining marginalised groups, asking how well international human rights law serves them.

Explore women’s rights and the gaps in their protection

The provisions in UN human rights treaties have been deemed inadequate to the task of protecting women’s human rights. In particular, scholars and activists have called for a separate treaty addressing violence against women. The first week of this course will guide you through the importance of the human rights of women, focusing on discrimination and violence against women.

Examine poverty and inequality in the 21st century

Scholars have claimed that the greatest human rights deficits globally are heavily concentrated among the world’s poor. When people talk about human rights generally, the chances are they are referring to civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression or the right to a fair trial. What about other rights such as the right to health or education?

This week, you’ll examine economic, social, and cultural rights and how they aim to protect those facing poverty and inequality. You’ll also look at the impact globalisation has on the world’s poor.

Learn about the impact of the law on refugees and migrants

The final two weeks of this course will take you through the human rights of asylum seekers, refugees, and irregular migrants. You’ll examine the Refugee Convention and its shortcomings. You will also examine the many ways that states prevent people from arriving in the country of destination and the devastating impact this can have on migrants and their human rights.

You’ll finish this course by completing an assignment arguing your perspective on one of the topics covered in this course.

This course is designed for anyone working for national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as lawyers looking to deepen their knowledge base.

• Human Rights of Women
• The Importance of the Human Rights of Women
• UN Instruments Concerned with Discrimination Against Women
• Violence Against Women as Discrimination
• The Importance of Tackling Violence Against Women
• Wrap Up
• Human Rights of the Poor
• Introduction to Human Rights and Poverty
• Poverty, Inequality and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
• The Role of Globalisation
• Wrap Up
• Human Rights of Asylum Seekers and Refugees
• People in Flight as a Category of Concern
• Reality for Millions who Manage to Cross a Border
• Who is a Refugee in International Law?
• Wrap Up
• Human Rights of Irregular Migrants
• Undocumented Migrants and "Illegality"
• General International Human Rights Law
• UN Migrant Workers' Convention
• Hannah Arendt's Analysis of the Situation of the Stateless
• Peer Graded Assignment
• Wrap Up