9 Nov 13.15-15.00 room 420

In this session, we will discuss civil and political rights, a category of rights that classically aims to curb power abuse by states. The rights covered in this category include the right to life, the prohibition of torture, the right to participate in public affairs (including voting rights), as well as various freedoms such as freedom of expression, religion, and assembly.

Questions we will ask include:

What are states’ obligations in relation to these rights?
Can civil and political rights clash with each other, and if so, what can be done?
Are these rights absolute, or can they at times be lawfully restricted?

A major question is to what extent civil and political rights are compatible with non-democratic regimes.

Slides

Reading:

Bantekas & Oette - Good and detailed overview of the topic:

Ch 8 ("Civil and Political Rights")

Further suggested material: (cover specific aspects relating to civil and political rights)

Goodhart Ch 19, Human Rights and Religion
Goodhart Ch 12, Political Democracy and State Repression

See also:

Book chapter: Schultz, W. F. 2016. Torture. In: Goodhart, M. (ed.) Human Rights Politics and Practice. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, chapter 15, pp. 255-272.
Newspaper article: on Life under protection measures - example Saviano (Gomorrah)
Press Conference by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Alice Jill Edwards, 15 Mar 2023. It engages with issues around her report on 'Good practices in national criminalization, investigation, prosecution and sentencing for offences of torture'
https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1t/k1ti8dk84x