Memo | Due January/February 2026 | International
Human Rights Law (UNISA)
,Question 1:
Which of the following documents is considered the cornerstone of international
human rights law?
• A) Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
• B) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
• C) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW)
• D) Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Correct Option: A) Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Rationale: The UDHR, adopted in 1948, is fundamentally important as it sets out the
basic rights and freedoms that all individuals are entitled to, influencing numerous
international and national laws.
Question 2:
Which article in the ICCPR protects the right to freedom of expression?
• A) Article 1
• B) Article 19
• C) Article 27
• D) Article 10
Correct Option: B) Article 19
Rationale: Article 19 of the ICCPR explicitly guarantees the right to freedom of
expression, allowing individuals to hold opinions without interference.
Question 3:
Which of the following is NOT a principle of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC)?
• A) Non-discrimination
• B) Best interests of the child
• C) Right to free speech
• D) Right to survival and development
Correct Option: C) Right to free speech
,Rationale: While the CRC includes various rights for children, the principle of non-
discrimination, best interests, and right to development are explicitly mentioned as
principles in the convention, whereas the right to free speech is not specifically
highlighted.
Question 4:
What is the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
• A) To resolve trade disputes
• B) To prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against
humanity
• C) To monitor human trafficking
• D) To provide humanitarian aid
Correct Option: B) To prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes
against humanity
Rationale: The ICC's primary function is to hold individuals accountable for serious
international crimes, thereby promoting justice and deterring future violations.
Question 5:
Which of the following treaties primarily addresses the rights of migrant workers?
• A) Convention on the Rights of the Child
• B) International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers
and Members of Their Families
• C) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
• D) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Correct Option: B) International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All
Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
Rationale: This treaty specifically focuses on ensuring that migrant workers and their
families have their rights protected and upheld.
Question 6:
What does the term "jus cogens" refer to in international law?
• A) Peremptory norms that are universally accepted
• B) Legal statutes of individual countries
, • C) Non-binding agreements
• D) Rights reserved for refugees
Correct Option: A) Peremptory norms that are universally accepted
Rationale: Jus cogens norms are universally recognized principles of international law
that cannot be violated or overridden by other agreements.
Question 7:
Which of the following is an example of a civil and political right?
• A) Right to education
• B) Right to health
• C) Right to free assembly
• D) Right to social security
Correct Option: C) Right to free assembly
Rationale: The right to free assembly is classified as a civil and political right, while the
other options fall under economic, social, and cultural rights.
Question 8:
Which UN body is primarily responsible for overseeing the implementation of the
ICCPR?
• A) UN General Assembly
• B) Human Rights Council
• C) Human Rights Committee
• D) International Court of Justice
Correct Option: C) Human Rights Committee
Rationale: The Human Rights Committee monitors states' compliance with the ICCPR
and provides recommendations.
Question 9:
What is the primary objective of the Human Rights Council?
• A) To enforce international trade agreements
• B) To promote and protect human rights globally