This module will examine the past, present and future of economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights. The module starts with an introduction to ESC rights, including how and why these rights were once marginalised compared to civil and political rights, and why they are being given increasing attention by the human rights community. One dimension of this debate is the question of whether ESC rights are capable of being judicially enforced - the 'justiciability issue'
The Seminars will focus on the nature of obligations relating to ESC rights - what is the meaning of obligations of progressive realization, maximum available resources, and international assistance and cooperation? How does this differ from States' obligations towards civil and political rights?
The module examines the various approaches to implementing these rights, including litigation and policy approaches, and examines tools such as impact assessments and indicators which play an important role in enhancing accountability. The module focuses particularly on the protection of ESC rights in the international and regional human rights systems, although some attention is also given to domestic implementation through important national cases, policies and studies.
The module continues with seminars that examine a selection of specific human rights namely: the rights to health, housing, education and cultural rights, as well as the relationship between ESC rights, poverty and discrimination, and gender. These seminars will highlight how these rights relate to, and have been used to address, in theory if not in practice, current international issues such as maternal mortality, access to medicines, access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, forced evictions, and the relationship between cultural diversity, cultural rights and development. The module also considers the challenging question: what is the evidence of impact of human rights, including ESC rights?
The Seminars will focus on the nature of obligations relating to ESC rights - what is the meaning of obligations of progressive realization, maximum available resources, and international assistance and cooperation? How does this differ from States' obligations towards civil and political rights?
The module examines the various approaches to implementing these rights, including litigation and policy approaches, and examines tools such as impact assessments and indicators which play an important role in enhancing accountability. The module focuses particularly on the protection of ESC rights in the international and regional human rights systems, although some attention is also given to domestic implementation through important national cases, policies and studies.
The module continues with seminars that examine a selection of specific human rights namely: the rights to health, housing, education and cultural rights, as well as the relationship between ESC rights, poverty and discrimination, and gender. These seminars will highlight how these rights relate to, and have been used to address, in theory if not in practice, current international issues such as maternal mortality, access to medicines, access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, forced evictions, and the relationship between cultural diversity, cultural rights and development. The module also considers the challenging question: what is the evidence of impact of human rights, including ESC rights?
- Module Supervisor: Paul Hunt