Human Rights, Ways of Life, and the Future

Examine what the future could bring for human rights law

The defence of human rights was born of struggle but human rights law has already changed law and practice in many countries. What more can be done?

On this four-week course, you’ll examine the challenge to human rights law posed by the ways of life of indigenous peoples and people of faith. You’ll also consider the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic on human rights, before considering the future of human rights law.

Explore religious freedom in international human rights law

Religion has been the cause of controversy and war across the world for centuries, which is why there have been many attempts made to protect religious freedom.

The first week of this course will examine the right to religious freedom and its importance. You’ll then focus on the freedom of European Muslim women to wear garments that cover their faces in public. By looking at the responses of some governments, you’ll develop insights into the state of tolerance in 21st Century Europe.

Discover the protections of Indigenous Peoples

Many indigenous peoples’ ways of life are being destroyed by individuals and companies who are engaged in land grabbing.

On this course, you’ll learn how indigenous peoples have made creative use of existing human rights standards to protect their ways of life.

Investigate how the pandemic has affected human rights

There is growing evidence that the problems of poverty and inequality have been exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

You’ll consider the effects of the pandemic on different groups of people and the impacts of emergency responses on democratic processes and human rights.

What can you do to promote human rights in the future?

This week, you are asked to come with ideas for improving human rights protection, especially of the poor and marginalised people.

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.

• People of Faith and Human Rights
• Introduction to the Course and to the Right to Religious Freedom
• Religious Freedom in International Human Rights Law
• Religious Freedom in the World
• The European Court of Human Rights and Religious Freedom
• Wrap Up
• The Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Who is Indigenous?
• Protection of Indigenous Peoples
• Indigenous Peoples' Land Rights
• Wrap Up
• The Global COVID-19 Pandemic and Human Rights
• Impact of the Pandemic on Poverty and Inequality
• States of Emergency and Democracy
• COVID-19 and Austerity
• The Pandemic and its Disparate Impacts
• Some Positive Aspects of the Pandemic
• Wrap Up
• Is There a Future for International Human Rights Law?
• Overview and the Future
• Signs of hope
• Plans for the Future
• Wrap Up