Centre for the Study of Human Rights, The London School of Economics and Political Science
Short course on International Human Rights Law and Practice
6 October - 8 December 2014 (Ten Monday evening classes)
Deadline to apply for a subsidised place: 4 September 2014

In today's legal, policy and business worlds, international human rights law affects the way all of us work, either explicitly or implicitly. A knowledge of international human rights standards is increasingly required. Therefore those involved in the legal professions - whether as barristers, solicitors, employed lawyers or judges - and those involved in government, public policy and business, need to have a solid understanding of the breadth and depth of human rights principles. So too do increasing numbers of those involved in NGOs and in civil society work generally.

International human rights law is a subject that barely featured on university curricula just a few years ago, and it remains hard to find guidance on the subject that is easily accessible, clear, authoritative and up-to-date. The short course on International Human Rights Law and Practice will provide an indispensable guide to this burgeoning field of law. A certificate of attendance from the Centre for the Study of Human Rights at LSE will be awarded to those who have successfully completed the course.
The course is designed for professional participants and taught by a team of internationally renowned experts in the human rights field.

Course components
• Human rights: philosophy, politics or law? Background, history and foundational principles.
• Regional mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights.
• The international institutional framework for promoting and protecting human rights.
• Defending civil rights: prohibiting torture, protecting life, guaranteeing a fair trial and preventing arbitrary detention.
• Economic, social and cultural rights and how they are enforced.
• Human rights as democratic values: participatory rights in practice.
• The relationship between international human rights and rights of refugees.
• Equality and minority rights: the enforcement of protection from discrimination.
• People’s rights: indigenous people, the right to self-determination and third generation rights.
• Rights in the private sphere: non-state actors, paramilitary organisations, regulating business and other private relationships.

At the start of the course participants will be provided (in electronic and paper copy) with comprehensive readings for each session and a book containing the full set of international human rights law documents. For the benefit of those who wish to read further, participants will also have LSE Library borrowing rights for the duration of the course.

Speakers
The course is taught by a team of internationally renowned academics and practitioners in the field of human rights:
• Iain Byrne: Acting Head of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Team, Amnesty International, and Fellow at Essex University's Human Rights Centre.
• Professor Christine Chinkin FBA: Professor of International Law at LSE, member of Matrix Chambers and member of the Kosovo Human Rights Advisory Panel constituted by UNMIK.
• Professor Andrew Clapham: Professor of International Law at the Graduate Institute of International Studies Institute and former Representative of Amnesty International to the United Nations in New York.
• Jonathan Cooper OBE: Director of the Human Dignity Trust and human rights specialist with experience before English and International courts and tribunals, as well as conducting training and advising on human rights issues in jurisdictions all over the world.
• Jane Gordon: LSE Visiting Fellow, independent human rights advisor to statutory and public agencies, and accredited gender and sexual violence expert with UN Women.
• Raza Husain QC: barrister at Matrix Chambers specialising in public law, with an emphasis on immigration and human rights.
• Professor Philip Leach: Professor of Human Rights, a solicitor, and Director of EHRAC, the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre, at Middlesex University.
• Professor Susan Marks: Professor of International Law at LSE
• Professor Aileen McColgan: Professor of Human Rights Law at Kings College London, member of Matrix Chambers and the British expert on the EU Commission's network of gender equality legal experts. 

The course is convened, and each session chaired, by Madeleine Colvin, a human rights lawyer who worked for several human rights organisations including Liberty and JUSTICE. She is the author of publications on surveillance and privacy. She is currently a human rights consultant and a part-time Immigration Judge and a practising mediator focusing on equality issues.

Fees and administration
• The standard fee is £1,970.
• Registration is online.
• LSE students, alumni and staff are entitled to a 10% discount on the standard course fee (contact the Centre Manager for the discount code before completing the online application).
• Places are available on a first come, first served basis.

Further discounts/subsidies
The Centre is also able to offer up to five subsidised (half price, £985) places for those would otherwise be unable to attend. The deadline for applications for a subsidised place is 12noon Thursday 4 September 2014. Applications will competitively assessed after the deadline, and places will be awarded on the basis of merit and financial need. Priority will be given to those working in non-governmental or voluntary sector organisations who are able to demonstrate a clear benefit to that organisation beyond their personal education and professional development.

Download the subsidised place application form.

Discounts may also be available for group (3 or more) bookings from one organisation / company. Please contact the Centre Manager, Zoe Gillard, to discuss this further.
Please note that while we welcome participants from overseas, the Centre is regrettably not able to provide any additional assistance, financial or practical, in the securing of travel to, or accommodation in, London.

More information about the course is available online.