About this course: Human rights are under pressure in many places across the globe. Peaceful protests are violently quashed. Voting is tampered with. And minorities are often excluded from decision-making. All of this threatens the ideal of an open society in which each of us can be free and participate equally. A solid protection of human rights is needed for an open society to exist and to flourish. But it is often an uphill battle to work towards that ideal. Equip yourself and learn more about what human rights are and how they work. In this course, we will introduce you to one of the world’s most intricate human rights systems: the European Convention on Human Rights. You will see when and how people can turn to the European Court of Human Rights to complain about human rights violations. You will learn how the Court tries to solve many of the difficult human rights dilemmas of today. We will look, amongst other things, at the freedom of expression and demonstration, the right to vote, and the prohibition of discrimination. And we will address the rights of migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable groups. And, of course, we will see whether it is possible to restrict rights and if so under what conditions. You will even encounter watchdogs and ice cream in this course. We invite you to follow us on a journey of discovery into the European Convention!
Who is this class for: This class is for everyone interested in the protection of human rights and the linkages with open societies. No specific background knowledge is necessary, although some basic knowledge of law may be helpful.
Created by: Utrecht University
Taught by: Antoine Buyse, Prof. dr.
Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM), Utrecht Law School
Taught by: Janneke Gerards, Prof. dr.
Jurisprudence, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Utrecht Law School
Taught by: Paulien de Morree, dr.
Jurisprudence, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Utrecht Law School
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 6 Weeks of study, approximately 2-3 hours per week. |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction to the ECHR
The protection of human rights is closely linked to the idea of open societies. In an open society, people enjoy freedom and they are to a large extent free to live their lives as they wish. This week, we explore the idea of open societies and see how it relat...
3 videos, 5 readings
Graded: The linkages between the ECHR and an open society
Graded: Where to find rights in the ECHR?
Graded: The admissibility checklist of the ECtHR applied
Graded: Test your knowledge on the foundations of the ECHR
WEEK 2
General principles
When someone complains that his or her right to privacy or right to freedom of expression has been violated, the European Court of Human Rights has to assess whether that is truly the case. But how does it do this? In this part of the course, we will focus on ...
5 videos, 2 readings
Graded: How to interpret the ECHR in a concrete case?
Graded: Determining States' obligations in practice
Graded: The justification of restrictions - a practical exercise
Graded: The impact of the margin of appreciation in concrete cases
Graded: Test your knowledge on the consideration of fundamental rights cases by the ECtHR
WEEK 3
Human rights and democracy
Open societies require a democratic form of government. But how are human rights and democracy linked? In this part of the course, we focus on what democracy entails from a human rights perspective. We also address what voting rights are and how political part...
3 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Voting rights for people with a mental disability
Graded: Restricting the freedom of association
Graded: Test your knowledge on the connection between human rights and democracy
WEEK 4
Insiders and outsiders: non-discrimination, vulnerable groups, migrants and asylum seekers
Open societies are all about inclusion. In an open society, everyone should be allowed to participate on an equal footing. No one should be excluded. Equally, human rights should be enjoyed by all people and discrimination is prohibited. Yet, even in an open s...
4 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Grounds of discrimination - a practical exercise
Graded: The protection and definition of vulnerable groups under the ECHR
Graded: Test your knowledge on the inclusion and exclusion of vulnerable groups, migrants and asylum seekers under the ECHR
WEEK 5
Freedom of expression and public protest
The right to freely express yourself, the freedom of the press to report news and the right to protest are essential in an open society. The freedom of expression enables you to gather information about public issues and to let others know what you think. The ...
3 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz
Graded: ECHR criteria for protection of the media
WEEK 6
Closure
This is the final assignment of the course on Human Rights for Open Societies. In this assignment, the various topics of the course are brought together. The first aim is to help you test the knowledge and insights you have acquired during the course. The seco...
1 reading
Graded: The case of Jacob Scholten
Graded: Reflection
FAQs
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Utrecht University
Utrecht University is a research university comprising seven faculties which collectively span the entire academic spectrum in teaching and research. Founded in 1636, the University is now a modern, leading institute enjoying a growing international reputation. In the Shanghai Ranking, Utrecht University ranks 1st in the Netherlands, 17th in Europe and 56th worldwide. The research focuses on four main strategic themes: Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability. Our motto is: Bright minds, better future.
Ratings and Reviews
I really like this subject, it comprehend my knowledge especially about human rights. Thank you.
Very usefull course for
Excellent course!
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M
The course is very good, but the only problem is that some of the terms are left without a clear definition and examples of diversity, which makes understanding some terms somewhat difficult for non-specialists in law.