European Human Rights Law

This two-credit seminar offer students a thorough introduction to European human rights law, concentrating on the fundamental rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights and Additional Protocols through the European Court of Human Rights landmark jurisprudence and Council of Europe soft-law instruments that shape and enhance human rights standards. We will examine the institutional framework, procedure and grounds of admissibility, margin of appreciation, affirmative duties, and protections under the Convention in relation to the right to life, freedom from torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, freedom from punishment without law, and derogations in time of war or public emergency.