LAWS 2366 International Human Rights Law Advocacy (Intensive)

CREDIT HOURS: 1

The purpose of this intensive is to introduce students to the skills and techniques used in international human rights law (IHRL) advocacy. IHRL is sometimes dismissed as aspirational and unenforceable, yet it can and does play a crucial role in concretely advancing human rights protection. This course will provide students the opportunity to learn what it is like to be an IHRL advocate, and how IHRL advocacy is changing in response to critiques and challenges, including COVID-19. The first part of this course will provide a brief overview of sources of IHRL, consider the adoption and implementation of IHRL in Canada, and the relationship that Canada has with global IHRL frameworks. The second part of the course will examine the purpose of IHRL advocacy as well as what constitutes IHRL advocacy, from conventional legal strategies to the long-term shaping of opinions, and more. Attention will be given to the different actors that participate in IHRL advocacy, and the range of targets beyond governments. The third part of the course will explore the multi-disciplinary, creative, story-telling and educational aspects of IHRL advocacy, as well as the importance of ethical considerations with respect to role of rights-holders and communities, including empowerment and informed consent, avoiding saviour strategies, and ensuring advocacy does not reinforce systemic racism. The course will conclude with some reflections on the challenges and opportunities of IHRL advocacy in a time of COVID-19.

Prerequisite(s): None.
Co-requisite(s): None.
Assessment Method: The pass/fail evaluation will be based 40% on class participation and 60% on a 2000-word take-home essay. A reading list will be provided to the students so they can develop a background understanding of IHRL. Students will be expected to do the background readings to facilitate the knowledge of the lectures and to be able to complete the take-home essay
Restrictions: Restricted to students in the JD program or JD-combined Programs.