Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.P.2.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year pavasara semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Human Rights

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
JF_015
Branch of Science
Civil Rights; Law
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Juridical Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Ilze Bērziņa
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts

Kuldigas Street 9C, Riga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

Provide basic knowledge and understanding of the historical development of human rights norms and fundamental principles worldwide and in Latvia, with a special focus on the development of human rights in Europe and on mechanisms for protecting these rights.Teach the skills to analyse basic human rights concepts, identify the nature and content thereof, provide knowledge of the application of human rights protection instruments and the opportunities of the individual, both in the context of Latvia and Europe; provide basic knowledge of the interaction between laws of Latvia and international human rights documents (harmonisation) and their application in law enforcement practice in Latvia; analyse requests examined by the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the examination and judgements of human rights violation in various countries.

Preliminary Knowledge

Not required.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.On successful completion of the course, students will be able to list and identify the most important aspects of human rights; to describe and analyse the basic principles of these rights in the world and in Latvia; to demonstrate comprehensive and specialised knowledge and understanding of facts, theories, and regularities relevant to the professional field; to work independently and apply human rights protection mechanisms and to defend and promote the observance of the aforementioned human rights norms in Latvia and in the world.

Skills

1.On successful completion of the course, students will be able to notice and analyse potential human rights problems, their causes and solutions; will be prepared to take necessary protection actions in the event of possible human rights violations by applying the relevant international and national legal provisions in a skilful manner; they will be able to demonstrate a scientific approach to problem solving, take appropriate decisions and find creative solutions in changing and uncertain circumstances.

Competences

1.The knowledge acquired during the study course will enable students to be competent and to participate in the work of law enforcement and assistance institutions; will promote the competence of these institutions in the areas of protection, strengthening, development and promotion of human rights. Students will be able to use the acquired theoretical foundations and skills in formulating and analysing situations, problems in their field of science or profession; they will be competent to explain and discuss various matters in a reasoned way with professionals of different areas; the acquired knowledge will provide students with competence in various aspects of human rights and will also provide opportunities to participate in competitions of international institutions for job vacancies outside Latvia.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work
-
-
For successful completion of the course, besides attending of lectures students are required to structure their learning independently, analyse their level of knowledge and rationally expand it, select and evaluate sources of literature given in the course description and work at obtaining the necessary reference materials in libraries and internet resources. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
-
10 points

On a 10-point grading system: active participation in the lectures/classes – 20%; independently completed written assignment – 30%; a written examination – 50%.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Historical development of the concept of Human Rights (HR), norms and principles • The beginning of the HR idea • The oldest sources of the HR • The founders of the ideas of democracy and justice from the ancient world to the present day • Key historical circumstances and norms for the development of HR

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Historical development of HR in Latvia • Stages of development through Latvian statehood and constitutionalism • Development of HR after the restoration of independence in 1990 • HR and integration processes of Latvia into European institutions (European Parliament, European Union) and NATO

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human Rights mechanisms in the world and their application • Universal HR protection mechanisms • Regional HR protection mechanisms • Globalisation processes in the world, positive and negative aspects

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human Rights Categories: Civil and political rights I • The right to life. Abolition of death penalty • Prohibition of torture • Prohibition of slavery and forced labour

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human Rights Categories: Civil and political rights II • The right to freedom and security • The right to a fair trial • The right to private and family life The right to marriage • Freedom of thought, conscience and religion • Freedom of speech • Freedom of assembly and association

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human Rights Categories: Civil and political rights III • Prohibition of discrimination; rights of disabled people; children’s rights and the child protection • Ownership protection • The right to education • The right to free elections • Freedom of movement Migration. Asylum seekers. Expulsion

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human Rights Categories: Civil and political rights III • Prohibition of discrimination; rights of disabled people; children’s rights and the child protection • Ownership protection • The right to education • The right to free elections • Freedom of movement Migration. Asylum seekers. Expulsion

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human Rights Categories: Economic, social and cultural rights • the catalogue of economic, social and cultural rights • International legal instruments in the field of social rights • The European Social Charter and the rights contained therein

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human Rights Categories: Economic, social and cultural rights • the catalogue of economic, social and cultural rights • International legal instruments in the field of social rights • The European Social Charter and the rights contained therein

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Protection of social rights • Special features and differences in protection of social rights protection in the context of other human rights • National legal provisions for ensuring social rights • Possible mechanisms for protecting social rights

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Interpretation, application and observance of human rights norms in national legislation • The scope of democratic principles nowadays • Application of fundamental human rights in Latvia • The role of the Constitutional Court in strengthening and protecting human rights in Latvia • Interpretation of legal provisions and the Constitution

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Interpretation, application and observance of human rights norms in national legislation • The scope of democratic principles nowadays • Application of fundamental human rights in Latvia • The role of the Constitutional Court in strengthening and protecting human rights in Latvia • Interpretation of legal provisions and the Constitution

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

European human rights mechanisms (instruments) • Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Human Rights • Council of Europe Court of Human Rights, its establishment and competence • Instruments for the protection of human rights in the European Union

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human rights potential challenges and their solutions in Latvia • Monitoring and ensuring good public administration • Issues of minorities, asylum seekers and refugee rights • Social issues and human rights • Activities of the Ombudsman’s Office in monitoring and protection of human rights Union

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human rights potential challenges and their solutions in Latvia • Monitoring and ensuring good public administration • Issues of minorities, asylum seekers and refugee rights • Social issues and human rights • Activities of the Ombudsman’s Office in monitoring and protection of human rights Union

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

The role of non-governmental organisations in protecting and promoting the human rights
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Historical development of the concept of Human Rights (HR), norms and principles • The beginning of the HR idea • The oldest sources of the HR • The founders of the ideas of democracy and justice from the ancient world to the present day • Key historical circumstances and norms for the development of HR

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human Rights Categories: Civil and political rights II • The right to freedom and security • The right to a fair trial • The right to private and family life The right to marriage • Freedom of thought, conscience and religion • Freedom of speech • Freedom of assembly and association

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human Rights Categories: Civil and political rights III • Prohibition of discrimination; rights of disabled people; children’s rights and the child protection • Ownership protection • The right to education • The right to free elections • Freedom of movement Migration. Asylum seekers. Expulsion

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Protection of social rights • Special features and differences in protection of social rights protection in the context of other human rights • National legal provisions for ensuring social rights • Possible mechanisms for protecting social rights

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human rights potential challenges and their solutions in Latvia • Monitoring and ensuring good public administration • Issues of minorities, asylum seekers and refugee rights • Social issues and human rights • Activities of the Ombudsman’s Office in monitoring and protection of human rights Union
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
10 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

ANO Vispārējā cilvēktiesību deklarācija

2.

ANO 1966. gada Starptautiskais pakts par pilsoniskajām un politiskajām tiesībām

3.

ANO 1966. gada Starptautiskais pakts par ekonomiskajām, sociālajām un kultūras tiesībām

4.

Eiropas Cilvēktiesību un pamatbrīvību aizsardzības konvencija

5.

Eiropas Savienības Pamattiesību harta

6.

Likums "Par tiesu varu"

7.

Satversmes tiesas likums

8.

Tiesībsarga likums

9.

“Cilvēktiesības pasaulē un Latvijā” (Inetas Ziemeles zinātniskajā redakcijā). Otrais papildinātais izdevums - Rīga: Tiesu nama aģentūra, 2021

10.

Moeckli D., Shah S., Sivakumaran S., Harris D., International Human Rights Law, 4th edition, Oxford University Press, 2022

11.

Van Dijk P., Van Hoof F., Van Rijn A., Zwaak L., Theory and Practice of the European Convention on Human Rights, 5th edition, Intersentia, 2018

Additional Reading

1.

Bojārs, J. „Starptautiskās publiskās tiesības”. I, II daļa. Apgāds Zvaigzne ABC, 2006.

2.

Latvijas Republikas Satversmes komentāri: VIII. nodaļa. Cilvēka pamattiesības (autoru kolektīvs R.Baloža zinātniskajā vadībā) - Rīga: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2011.

3.

Eiropas Savienības tiesības. II daļa. Materiālās tiesības (autoru kolektīvs Schewe C. (K. Ševes) zinātniskajā redakcijā) – Rīga: Tiesu nama aģentūra, 2016 (1. sadaļas 1. nodaļa)

4.

Nowak, M., U.N. Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: CCPR commentary, 2nd revised ed., N. P. Engel, 2005

Other Information Sources

1.

Eiropas Cilvēktiesību tiesas mājaslapa

2.

Eiropas Savienības Tiesas mājaslapa

3.

Satversmes tiesas mājaslapa

4.

Latvijas Republikas Augstākās tiesas mājaslapa