E-seminar : State of the Humans Rights in the contemporary World

Description : 

The notion of human rights refers to the norms, basic rights and freedoms that protect people from political, economic, legal, and social abuses or unjustified infringements. Although the idea of human rights is arguably a recent phenomenon, it has become a key issue across academic disciplines. The development of the human rights system can be partly credited to the United Nations and international law, which have historically influenced the betterment of the human rights situation in some parts of the world. However, scholarly literature and media reports show that extensive human rights abuses and violations continue to occur. This seminar seeks to introduce one to the concept of human rights, and some of the related violations and abuses. The seminar examine the promotion and protection of human rights, elections and electoral fraud, and some specific rights such as women’s rights, prisoner’s rights, and media freedom. The seminar will also explore the role of human rights organizations, the media and religion in the promotion and protection of human rights across the world, with reference to specific regions that will be used as case studies. Finally, given that human beings are part of nature, their rights are interconnected with the environment in which they live. Thus, participants will also examine how Environmental harm can hinder the enjoyment of human rights, and how the exercise of human rights can also contribute to protecting the environment.

Objectives : 

- be familiar with the concept of rights, as well as other related elements such as the categories and forms of rights  

- understand the concept of human rights with reference to the specific situations and experiences

- be familiar with the international human rights system and the key principles, pronouncements and declarations underlying it 

- have a better sense of the relevant critical issues concerning human rights violations and abuses around the world with reference to specific contexts

- appreciate the role of human rights organisations and institutions, the media and religion in the promotion and protection of human rights in the contemporary world

- appreciate the link between human rights and environmental rights

- be familiar with the scholarly and media literature on human rights

Learning Outcomes :

• be familiar with the concept of rights, as well as other related elements such as the categories and forms of rights;

• understand the concept of human rights with reference to the specific situations and experiences;

• be familiar with the international human rights system and the key principles, pronouncements and declarations underlying it;

• have a better sense of the relevant critical issues concerning human rights violations and abuses around the world with reference to specific contexts;

• appreciate the role of human rights organisations and institutions, the media and religion in the promotion and protection of human rights in the contemporary world;

• appreciate the link between human rights and environmental rights

• be familiar with the scholarly and media literature on human rights