Law 796: Comparative Human Rights

The objective of the course is to introduce students to the law of the different world legal systems: common law and civil law. The selected topics for comparison of individual rights, with emphasis on the right of privacy (search and seizure, abortion cases, right to die, gay rights, right to family life), as well as the inhuman and degrading treatment (detention conditions, extradition), right to liberty and security. The other purpose of this course is to introduce students to the jurisprudence and the model of adjudication of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Students will gain an understanding of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Court’s structure and procedures, and the most important decisions of the Court. The list of countries covered consists of the USA, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Russia.

Sequence and Prerequisites: None.