Categories: International and Comparative Law

Climate Change, Human Rights & the Environment

Course Page for Spring 2023 ZPO - Atapattu, Sumudu

The link between climate change and human rights has received considerable attention in recent years. Increased calls for the inclusion of human rights in climate agreements culminated in the inclusion of a reference to human rights in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change adopted by the international community in December 2015. This seminar will discuss the link between climate change and human rights, the pros and cons of using a human rights approach and the specific challenges that climate change poses to the international legal system such as the disappearance of states, migration and adjudication. It will also discuss the plight of vulnerable populations especially, indigenous peoples and climate “refugees.”

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the students would have acquired:

• An understanding of the relationship between environmental degradation, climate change and human rights;
• An understanding of the pros and cons of using a human rights approach to climate change;
• Knowledge of the relevant international law principles and mechanisms applicable to global climate change;
• Knowledge of how a claim under international human rights law can be brought for damage caused by environmental issues in general and climate change in particular; and
• An understanding of the linkages with other areas such as economic development, poverty, socio-economic rights, and sustainable development.

Recent Offerings of this course by this instructor

Spring 2023 ZPO
Spring 2022
Spring 2021

International Commercial Arbitration

Course Page for Fall 2022 - Yackee, Jason

Recent Offerings of this course by this instructor

Fall 2022
Fall 2021

International Environmental Law

Course Page for Fall 2021 - Atapattu, Sumudu

Topics reflect interests of instructor and students.

Recent Offerings of this course by this instructor

Fall 2021

International Human Rights Law

Course Page for Fall 2022 - Atapattu, Sumudu

International Human Rights Law

Sumudu Atapattu, PhD

This course provides an introduction to international human law. It will examine its history, evolution, structure, remedies and effectiveness and the relationship with other areas of international law. It will discuss legal and institutional framework at international and regional levels – UN human rights institutions (Charter based and treaty based) and regional systems of human rights. It will examine: (a) substantive and procedural rights and obligations (b) actors and beneficiaries including the role of businesses; (c) principles such as universality, non-discrimination and non-retrogression; (d) protection of groups such as women, children, refugees, indigenous peoples, minorities and specialized fields such as genocide, torture and terrorism; and (e) remedies. The course also discuses emerging areas of rights such as environmental rights and rights of nature, critiques of human rights, and domestic incorporation of rights.

Recent Offerings of this course by this instructor

Fall 2022

Intl Human Rights Law & Intl Humanitarian Law: Current Debates & Challenges (XBB session)

Course Page for Spring 2022 - Giessen Faculty, .

The Faculty of Law at Justus Liebig University Giessen are looking forward to host students from all over the world for the 1st International Online Winter University in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law.

The program offers you a foundation in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law before discussing the major debates and challenges that are currently found in these fields of law. This will primarily focus on those issues that are present in both fields of law and consider how similar issues are approached differently. Allowing you to appreciate the differences between International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and how both these fields of law, in different manners, seek to protect individuals.
The program combines high-quality teaching by excellent lecturers and practitioners from all over the world. These include individuals such as:

Prof. Dr. Thilo Marauhn (Justus Liebig University Giessen and President of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission)

Prof. Rhona Smith (Newcastle Law School and former UN special rapporteur for Cambodia)

Ezequiel Heffes (Senior Policy and Legal Advisor at Geneva Call)

Claudia Maritano (Legal Adviser International Committee of the Red Cross)

Course meets in winter intersession: Jan 3-14; MTWRF 800-915 am & 1000-1130 am (US Central time).

Intl Human Rights Law & Intl Humanitarian Law: Gender Perspectives (XBB session)

Course Page for Spring 2023 XBB - Giessen Faculty,

Vis Competition

Course Page for Spring 2023 ZPO - Yackee, Jason

Recent Offerings of this course by this instructor

Spring 2023 ZPO
Spring 2022
Spring 2021