F1HH 5005 - The Human Rights Impact of Countering and Preventing Terrorism and Violent Extremism

This course will examine the human rights impact of responses to terrorism and violent extremism in the post-2001 context. It will explore the fundamental conceptual shift towards a security paradigm and unpack how formal and informal institutional frameworks have re-shaped international, regional and national legal frameworks and dynamics around terrorism and violent extremism. Through a thorough analysis of trends identified across various legal settings, it will expose the impact of responses on human rights, assess the challenges posed, and explore the opportunities for redress and accountability for human rights violations across a range of mechanisms.

This course will be both theoretical and practical. It will involve lectures, practical case-studies (with students asked to ‘defend’ or ‘oppose’ specific measures (based on concrete examples) within a human rights law framework, and a guest speaker (UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter terrorism or former Special Rapporteur on torture).

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

• Identify and discuss key human rights concerns in global counter-terrorism strategies
• Analyze, from a human rights perspective, counter-terrorism legislation and policies
• Justify a human rights position and perspective in the field of countering terrorism, to build advocacy documents.

Professional Skills:

• Advocacy, research and analysis, critical thinking.
• This course will be both theoretical and practical. It will involve lectures, practical case-studies (with students asked to ‘defend’ or ‘oppose’ specific measures (based on concrete examples) within a human rights law framework, and a guest speaker (UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter terrorism or former Special Rapporteur on torture). <br<

Solid foundation in various international legal frameworks, notably international human rights law (international instruments and mechanisms) and international humanitarian law. Basic knowledge understanding of the UN architecture and its security policies as well as the nexus between security, conflict and human rights an asset.

Each session will be organised around a set of questions, that will be the basis for practical activities, including debates, presentations, simulations, etc. The course will encourage students to explore their own areas of interest using ESCR as a tool, and to develop innovative and original thinking on contemporary world issues.

Some of the sessions will be made of visits to institutions. Guests who are at the forefront of exploring new frontiers in human rights theory and practice will be invited to provide input in the course discussions.

To validate the course, the student is expected to pass the following assignments:

• Presence and participation during the semester 30%
• Participation in group work: interactive case-studies (3 case studies will be organized throughout the semester, one every 3 weeks), (30%)
• Essay (4,000 words) on a chosen topic relating to the subject matter) due at the end of the semester (40%)

• Reading and Preparation for Class: 4 hours a week / 60 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 1 hours a week / 15 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 2 hours a week / 30 hours a semester