LCP4807
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 31 AUGUST 2026
, LCP4807 ASSIGNMENT 1 2026
DUE 31 AUGUST 2026
Defining International Human Rights Law and Distinguishing it from Other
Branches of International Law
International law includes different areas that deal with specific issues between
countries and people. One of the most important areas is international human rights law
(IHRL), which protects the rights and freedoms of all people. It is different from
international humanitarian law (IHL), which applies during armed conflict, international
criminal law (ICL), which holds people responsible for serious international crimes, and
international refugee law (IRL), which protects people who have been forced to leave
their countries. Although these areas are connected and sometimes work together,
each has its own purpose and rules.¹
2. Defining International Human Rights Law (IHRL)
To understand IHRL, it is helpful to first break down its core concepts. "Human rights"
can be understood as a special kind of moral claim that all people can make simply
because they are human beings.² However, when these moral claims are written into
laws and treaties that governments must follow, they become "human rights law".³
Therefore, international human rights law is a branch of public international law that
consists of rules and principles designed to protect and promote the rights of individuals
and groups at the international, regional, and domestic levels.⁴
¹ Viljoen, F. (2012). International Human Rights Law in Africa (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press, p. 4.
² Mooki, M., & Makama, P. (2019). International Human Rights Law: Only Study Guide for LCP4807.
University of South Africa, Lesson 1, p. 7.
³ Mooki & Makama (2019), Lesson 1, p. 7.
⁴ Mooki & Makama (2019), Lesson 1, p. 7; Viljoen (2012), p. 5.
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 31 AUGUST 2026
, LCP4807 ASSIGNMENT 1 2026
DUE 31 AUGUST 2026
Defining International Human Rights Law and Distinguishing it from Other
Branches of International Law
International law includes different areas that deal with specific issues between
countries and people. One of the most important areas is international human rights law
(IHRL), which protects the rights and freedoms of all people. It is different from
international humanitarian law (IHL), which applies during armed conflict, international
criminal law (ICL), which holds people responsible for serious international crimes, and
international refugee law (IRL), which protects people who have been forced to leave
their countries. Although these areas are connected and sometimes work together,
each has its own purpose and rules.¹
2. Defining International Human Rights Law (IHRL)
To understand IHRL, it is helpful to first break down its core concepts. "Human rights"
can be understood as a special kind of moral claim that all people can make simply
because they are human beings.² However, when these moral claims are written into
laws and treaties that governments must follow, they become "human rights law".³
Therefore, international human rights law is a branch of public international law that
consists of rules and principles designed to protect and promote the rights of individuals
and groups at the international, regional, and domestic levels.⁴
¹ Viljoen, F. (2012). International Human Rights Law in Africa (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press, p. 4.
² Mooki, M., & Makama, P. (2019). International Human Rights Law: Only Study Guide for LCP4807.
University of South Africa, Lesson 1, p. 7.
³ Mooki & Makama (2019), Lesson 1, p. 7.
⁴ Mooki & Makama (2019), Lesson 1, p. 7; Viljoen (2012), p. 5.
