COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: HUMAN RIGHTS

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
LAW 212	B	4	3	0	0	3	5

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	Dr. Heliona Miço hmico@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	M.Sc. Dea Haxhiu dbashkurti@epoka.edu.al , Wednesday 10:00-12:30
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Integrated second cycle study program in Law
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:
Course Description:	The subject extensively analyzes the concepts related to the protection of human rights as well as offers a comparative overview of some special aspects of human rights. A special attention is paid to the protection of human rights in the framework of the organization of the Council of Europe and other European organizations, such as the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, etc.
Course Objectives:	This course provides a rigorous and critical introduction to the foundation, structure and operation of the international human rights movement. It includes leading theoretical and institutional issues and the functioning of the international human rights mechanisms including non-governmental and inter-governmental ones. It covers cutting-edge human rights issues including gender and race discrimination, religion and state, national security and terrorism, globalization and human rights, and technology and human rights.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	Rule of Law
2	Democracy
3	National Ratification
4	International Organization
5	Conflicts
6	Social, Economic, Political Rights
7	Human Rights
8	Treaties, International Agreements, Resolutions
9	International Courts
10	International Mechanisms

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	International Human Rights Law and Notions of Human Rights: Foundations, Achievements and Challenges. ( Human rights have an important dual function: they are claims based on particular values or principles and often also legal rights that entail entitlements and freedoms. Philosophical and political conceptions of human rights are broader than international human rights law, which is essentially a normative term referring to rights validated in recognised sources. While the two spheres are closely intertwined, they do not necessarily share a causal or automatic relationship, i.e. that every claim must transform into a legally recognised right.) Pg. 4
2	International Human Rights Law: The Normative Framework; (Diplomats, officials, politicians, social movements, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academics from various disciplines, commentators and the public at large contribute to debate and practice. They add to, and often complement, the work of (international) lawyers. The interaction of this multitude of actors has stimulated the development of international human rights law. However, it has also increased the scope for misunderstandings and misrepresentations of the law that may be misleading, if not damaging. International human rights law is a legal system that has its own rules and methods, which, even if contested, frame the framework of human rights.) Pg. 50
3	Human Rights in Practice; (Human rights are constructed by multiple actors acting within the given political and legal structures, and challenging and changing them in the process. While the political struggle for human rights is universal and potentially engages all human beings, our focus is on key agents, both the ‘true authors’ of human rights and others who play an influential role. The ‘human rights movement’ includes individuals and communities fighting for their rights, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the somewhat amorphous ‘civil society’, social movements and transnational networks that engage in local and global power struggles.) Pg. 103
4	The United Nations Charter System; (The United Nations (UN) Charter was not designed to address human rights, at least directly, but was instead a mechanism primarily intended to maintain and secure international peace and security. None the less, some scant references to human rights are visible therein, but as will be discussed in the Week 4 these were not originally meant to confer strict obligations on states or otherwise to establish a global order of rights-holders.)Pg. 156
5	The UN Human Rights Treaty System; (United Nations (UN) treaty bodies constitute the main institutional vehicle for the application of international human rights law bodies as diverse as the International Labour Organisation (ILO)1 and the World Bank2 employ special procedures dealing with human rights questions. International tribunals and courts, particularly the International Court of Justice (ICJ), are increasingly adjudicating cases that have a bearing on international human rights law.) Pg.194
6	Regional Human Rights Treaty Systems; (An examination of regional human rights systems suggests the following typical process. States agree on the need for closer regional cooperation if not integration. Human rights are accepted as one element of, and a yardstick for, the regional political order. A foundational human rights instrument is adopted. Further, a human rights body with a mandate to promote human rights and monitor states parties’ compliance with their treaty obligations is (eventually) set up. Over time, responding to demands and with a view to strengthening the effectiveness and credibility of the system, substantive rights are broadened and the role of victims (and others, particularly non-governmental organisations (NGOs)) in raising the issue of, or complaining about, human rights violations is enhanced.) Pg. 239
7	Individual Complaints Procedures; (Complaints procedures offer a unique opportunity for individuals and groups to have claims of human rights violations considered and their rights vindicated in a judicial or quasi-judicial procedure. For non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and human rights lawyers, complaints procedures are an important avenue to pursue strategic objectives, in addition to supporting victims in individual cases. States, on the other hand, may find themselves having to defend allegations of specific or systemic violations. Ideally, complaints procedures act as a mirror that provides an opportunity for states to bring their practices into conformity with the respective treaty.)Pg. 304
8	Civil and Political Rights; ( Civil and political rights emerged out of fundamental rights conceptions protecting life, integrity, liberty and opinion of a person against an overbearing state. The twentieth century demonstrated that these rights were at risk in multiple contexts, ranging from genocidal campaigns, dictatorships and arbitrary law-enforcement to armed conflict and a breakdown of law and order. Rights such as the right to life and freedom from ill-treatment may also be at risk from other sources, namely non-state actors in the domestic and other spheres.) Pg. 350
9	Midterm exam
10	Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;(Economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights include a number of entitlements, such as the right to work and the enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work; the right to form and join trade unions; the right to social security; the protection of the family, mothers and children; the right to an adequate standard of living, which includes adequate food, clothing and housing and continuous improvement of living conditions; the right to the highest attainable standard of mental health; the right to education; and the right to participate in cultural life and enjoy the benefits of scientific progress. All these are protected under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ICESCR.) Pg. 412
11	Group Rights: Self-determination, Minorities and Indigenous Peoples; (This chapter will analyse the right of self-determination in respect of its external and internal dimension, the rights of minorities and the rights of indigenous peoples. Self-determination is the point of reference for any discussion of indigenous and minority rights, although it is far broader than both of these. Minority rights in turn are not considered collective entitlements in relevant international human rights instruments.) Pg. 463
12	The Right to Development and Sustainable Development; (First, we explore the human dimension of development as opposed to the development and financial growth of nations generally. We go on to explore the concept of sustainable development within which RTD exists and then examine the underlying premises of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and their transformation into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Central in this process is the justiciability of development claims. Finally, the chapter investigates the impact of sovereign debt on development and human rights.) Pg. 619
13	Victims’ Rights and Reparation: (Limited attention was paid to victims as rights-holders and to the availability of effective remedies for the vindication of rights. Yet slowly, conceptual shifts and practices, beginning at the national level, have changed prevailing perceptions of victims as largely passive beneficiaries, resulting in growing calls for victims to play a more active role, particularly in the criminal justice process) Pg. 668
14	Human Rights and International Criminal Justice; (This chapter examines the criminal law dimension of human rights violations. International criminal law has evolved so much in the past two decades that it is now a structured sub-discipline of international law. The focus here is on the international criminal dimension of human rights violations and the manner in which these are transformed into criminal rules and the criminal mechanisms through which they are enforced and implemented. ) Pg. 751

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook(s):	1-Bantekas, I., & Oette, L. (2020). International Human Rights Law and Practice (3rd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2-Kushtetuta e Republikës së Shqipërisë, Qendra e Botimeve Zyrtare, Tiranë 3-United Nation Declaration of Human Rights 4-European Convention of Human Rights 5-EU Charter on the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
Additional Literature:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Fitimi i njohurive të avancuara në fushën e drejtësisë dhe jurisprudencë, mbështetur në tekstet mësimore, materialet dhe burimet e tjera shkencore.
2	Fitimi i njohurive të cështjeve dhe problematikave të fushës së drejtësisë së bashku me analizë e aspekteve historike, shoqërore e politike.
3	Fitimi I njohurive rreth të drejtës
4	Fitimi I njohurive rreth organizimit të shtetit
5	Fitimi i njohurive rreth kapaciteteve të analizës lidhur me konceptet dhe ndarjet kryesore të degëve të së drejës
6	Përmirësimi i aftësive të punuar së bashku me disiplinat kryesore të shkencave sociale dhe të disiplinave të tjera të cilat janë të lidhura me drejtësinë
7	Fitimi I njohurive rreth drejtësisë duke përthithur terminologjinë profesionale të drejtësisë.
8	Përcaktimi ngjarjet dhe tema komplekse, duke e bërë diskutime dhe zhvillimin e sugjerime të reja në përputhje me hulumtimet e fushës
9	Njohuri në përdorimin e programeve kompjuterike dhe teknologjisë përkatëse në mënyrë që të bëhen të aftë të sigurojnë dijen aktuale.
10	Përmirësimi i të menduarit kritik dhe aftësive në marrjen e hulumtime në mënyrë të pavarur

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Integrated second cycle study program in Law Program
1	Fitimi dhe përdorimi i njohurive të avancuara në fushën e drejtësisë dhe jurisprudencës, mbështetur në tekstet mësimore, materialet dhe burimet e tjera shkencore.	5
2	Fitimi i njohurive rreth çështjeve dhe problematikave të fushës së drejtësisë, së bashku me analizën e aspekteve historike, shoqërore e politike.	5
3	Fitimi i njohurive rreth organizimit të shtetit.	5
4	Fitimi i njohurive rreth kapaciteteve të analizës lidhur me konceptet dhe ndarjet kryesore të degëve të së drejtës.	5
5	Përmirësimi i aftësive për të punuar së bashku me disiplinat kryesore të shkencave sociale dhe disiplinat e tjera të cilat janë të lidhura me drejtësinë.	5
6	Fitimi i njohurive rreth drejtësisë duke përthithur terminologjinë profesionale të fushës.	5
7	Përcaktimi i ngjarjeve dhe temave komplekse, nëpërmjet zhvillimit të diskutimeve dhe bërjes së sugjerimeve të reja në përputhje me hulumtimet e fushës.	5
8	Fitimi i aftësive në përdorimin e programeve kompjuterike dhe të teknologjisë së informacionit me qëllim arritjen e qasjes në dijen aktuale.	5
9	Përmirësimi i të menduarit kritik dhe aftësive në kryerjen e hulumtimit në mënyrë të pavarur.	5
10	Fitimi i njohurive për të folur në një gjuhë të huaj në një nivel të mjaftueshëm për të komunikuar me kolegët dhe për të kuptuar zhvillimet bashkëkohore në fushën e drejtësisë dhe të jurisprudencës.	5
11	Fitimi i aftësive për të respektuar vlerat shoqërore, shkencore dhe etike gjatë mbledhjes dhe interpretimit të të dhënave që kanë të bëjnë me zhvillimet shoqërore dhe atyre në drejtësi.	5
12	Ndërgjegjësimi në lidhje me rëndësinë e të drejtave të njeriut dhe mjedisit.	5

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)	1	25
Quiz	2	10
Term Paper	1	10
Final Exam	1	35
Attendance		10
Other	1
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	3	48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	14	3	42
Mid-terms	1	15	15
Assignments			0
Final examination	1	20	20
Other			0
Total Work Load:			125
Total Work Load/25(h):			5
ECTS Credit of the Course:			5

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER