Course on
Human Rights and Environment
Introduction:
The following is an advanced seminar in
public international law. The seminar is designed to introduce law students to
a new way of thinking of public international environmental law and human
rights law, focussing on the linkages between these two legal arenas. The
target audience is current and future environmental attorneys, trade attorneys,
human rights attorneys and public interest attorneys.
In order to provide an understanding of the
structure and process of international human rights law and international
environmental law, the introductory reading material of the seminar includes a
quick overview of the international environmental system and the international
human rights system. The introduction of the seminar is designed to provide
human rights students with an overview of international environmental law, and
environmental law students with an overview of international human rights law.
The seminar will address and analyze how
human rights and environment relate to one another, and which are the
advantages and disadvantages of linking these two areas of law. The teaching
methodology includes class lectures, role playing (moot court) and class discussion.
The inclusion of an international moot court exercise was included with the
assumption that public international law is no different from other branches of
law in requiring superlative lawyering skills. The role playing exercise built
around a real case example, helps develop and strengthen legal skills and
creativity. Faculty experts will be invited to teach on specific themes.
Considerable emphasis should be placed on
the critical analysis of the issues discussed in class and on the various
assigned reading materials. Students will be challenged to ponder shortcomings
and advantages of both traditional and innovative international approaches and
to pursue such critical stocktaking in their individual research projects. The
pace of the seminar is accelerated, and therefore consistent attendance is
important; as is participation in class discussions.
Evaluations will be based on a research
paper of 25-30 pages counting for 85% of the grade. To provide further
assistance to the students on their own research, suggested research topics
will be given. Students will also be expected to contribute to the seminars by
critically assessing the readings and issues presented. If so desired, students
will have the opportunity to present the result of their research to the
seminar. Oral participation will count for 15% of the grade.
Please refer to the class outline and
reading list for further detail.We will be available for consultations between
and ........... during the term.
Office hours are open door/walk-in. If preferred, you can make an appointment.
Class 1 Course
description and Introduction to International law (this part depends on the
background of the class prior to the seminar)
Class 2 An
overview of international environmental law
Class 3 An
overview of international human rights law
Class 4 Human
Rights Approaches to Environmental Protection
Class 5 Environmental
Protection and the U.N. Human Rights System
Class 6 Environmental
Protection and the Inter-American Human Rights System
Class
7 Environmental Protection and
the European Human Rights System and Environmental Protection and the African
Human Rights System
From here we can assess (and inquire with
the class) which of the following cross cutting-issues are of interest to
pursue. The issues selected will determine the # of classes remaining. Two of
the remaining classes will be left for role playing. If for whatever reason we
do not have enough time to cover all of the materials, we can reduce the
introductory portion (i.e. classes 1 to 7)
Class 8 Environmental
Discrimination and the Human Right to Equal Treatment
Class 9 Environmental
Justice
Class 10 Environmental
Protection and The Human Rights to Participate and Access to Information
Class 11 Human
Rights Abuses of Environmental Activists
Class 12 The
Human Right to Life and the development of a right to a clean or healthy
environment
Class 13 Sustainable
Development as a Human Right
Links to Reading
Materials and Class Information