AP/HREQ 3005 3.00
Human Rights and Humanitarian Action
This course addresses the origins, commonalities, and differences between international human rights law and humanitarian action. It analyses classical and contemporary approaches to humanitarianism, as well as the challenges faced by international aid organizations, NGOs, courts, and tribunals that pursue humanitarian and human rights-related mandates.
While human rights law views ‘others’ as holders of rights and duties, humanitarianism regards the ‘other’ as subject of suffering or injustice. These two approaches are mixed in modern frameworks, such as ‘human security’ or the ‘Responsibility to Protect’. The first part of the course introduces students to classical and contemporary approaches towards the relationship between human rights and humanitarian action, including origins of humanitarianism (e.g., humanity-based approaches in international law), institutional developments and contemporary critiques. The second part of the course examines underlying principles (e.g., impartiality, neutrality, non-discrimination), concepts (‘Protection of Civilians’) practices and methods of protection. The last part of the course analyzes tensions and challenges in specific areas, such as intervention, humanitarian assistance and peace operations. Case studies will be used to analyze communalities and differences and potential ways to mitigate dilemmas. The course seeks to integrate perspectives from multiple disciplines. It will enable students to analyze the legal regimes and normative processes underlying human rights protection and humanitarian action, and to critically evaluate methods, motivations, and consequences of action. Students will be trained to read and view norms and principles in context. Practical exercises will be used to apply core legal norms, principles and concepts, illustrate dilemmas and facilitate problem-based learning.
Prerequisites: 24 credits, including AP/HREQ 1010 6.00 (formerly AP/HREQ 2010 6.00)