Human Rights Law
Table of Contents
College 1: 30 september 2022.................................................................................................................4
Ia. General Information .................................................................................................................................... 4
Ib. Concept of Human Rights Law ..................................................................................................................... 5
1. TERMINOLOGY .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
2. LEGAL SOURCES ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
3. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE................................................................................................................................................. 8
4. NO HIERARCHY.................................................................................................................................................................. 9
College 2: 3 oktober 2022 ..................................................................................................................... 10
II. Universal protection (United Nations)......................................................................................................... 10
1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR 1948) .................................................................................................. 10
2. Treaties............................................................................................................................................................................ 10
3. Universal Mechanisms.................................................................................................................................................... 11
4. Illustrations ..................................................................................................................................................................... 13
III. The council of Europe ................................................................................................................................ 14
1. Two Europes.................................................................................................................................................................... 14
College 3: 7 oktober 2022 ..................................................................................................................... 16
2. Council of Europe ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
College 4: 10 oktober 2022 ................................................................................................................... 19
IV. European Union ........................................................................................................................................ 23
1. CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EU ............................................................................................................... 23
2. EU ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS ....................................................................................................................................... 23
College 5: 14 oktober 2022 ................................................................................................................... 24
European Union ............................................................................................................................................. 24
2. EU ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS ....................................................................................................................................... 24
V. Jurisdiction and Extra-territoriality ............................................................................................................. 25
1. Sources.................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
2. Art. 1 ECHR: jurisdiction ....................................................................................................................................................... 25
3. Art. 1 ECHR: attribution: participation in UN-operations ................................................................................................... 28
4. Art. 2(1) CESCR: ‘Internal obligations’ ................................................................................................................................. 29
CASES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 30
College 6: 21 oktober 2022 (2 colleges achter elkaar)............................................................................ 31
VI. Effects of Human Rights Treaties in Belgium .............................................................................................. 31
1. Relationship between legal orders: effect of treaties in Belgium ...................................................................................... 31
2. Human Rights Protection in Belgium................................................................................................................................... 33
3. Execution of ECtHR judgements in Belgium: hoe voer je een beslissing van EHRM uit? .................................................. 33
4. Effective remedy .................................................................................................................................................................. 34
VII. Typology of Human Rights Obligations...................................................................................................... 34
1. Human Rights Treaties: interpreting open norms .............................................................................................................. 34
- Interpretation techniques .............................................................................................................................................. 34
2. Typology of the State’s Obligations: verschillende soorten staatsverplichtingen ............................................................ 36
2. A Negative Obligations (obligation to respect) ................................................................................................................... 36
2. B Positive Obligations (obligation to protect and fulfill) .................................................................................................... 37
2.C Nature of the Stat’s Obligations (cont’d) .......................................................................................................................... 39
CASES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 40
1
,College 7: 24 oktober 2022 ................................................................................................................... 41
3. Derogable rights in Times of emergency ....................................................................................................................... 41
Cases and questions ................................................................................................................................................................. 42
VIII. Right to life ............................................................................................................................................. 43
1. Absolute right ....................................................................................................................................................................... 43
2. Scope..................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
3. Obligations............................................................................................................................................................................ 44
B. Positive obligations......................................................................................................................................................... 45
a. Osman test!!!!! ............................................................................................................................................................... 45
b. Obligations ...................................................................................................................................................................... 45
4. Positive obligations and right to life.................................................................................................................................... 46
4.1 Against authority ................................................................................................................................................................ 46
4.2 Against third parties: against other individuals ................................................................................................................ 46
4. 3 Against yourself ................................................................................................................................................................. 46
o Lambert v. France ........................................................................................................................................................... 47
College 8: 28 oktober 2022 ................................................................................................................... 48
4.4. Minimal living conditions.................................................................................................................................................. 48
4.5 Procedural obligations ....................................................................................................................................................... 48
CASES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 51
College 9: 4 november 2022 ................................................................................................................. 53
IX. Prohibition of torture of inhuman of degrading treatment ......................................................................... 53
1. Absolute right ....................................................................................................................................................................... 53
2. Applicability .......................................................................................................................................................................... 54
3. Classification (merits) ........................................................................................................................................................... 55
4. Obligations............................................................................................................................................................................ 56
5. Attribution – burden of proof (toeschrijving – bewijslast)................................................................................................. 56
College 10: 7 november 2022 ............................................................................................................... 60
CASES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 62
XA. Right to a fair trial = applicability .............................................................................................................. 63
College 11: 14 november 2022.............................................................................................................. 66
XB. Right to a fair trial = guarantees ............................................................................................................... 66
§1. General guarantees with ‘implied limitations’ (= Algemene waarborgen met impliciete beperkingen) ....................... 66
1. Right to a court (including right of acces) (= recht op een rechter: inclusief recht op toegang) ...................................... 67
2. Organisation and composition ............................................................................................................................................ 67
3. Conduct of the proceedings (= verloop van de procedure) ................................................................................................ 68
§2. Criminal proceedings: right to be presumed innocent (recht van vermoeden van onschuld) ....................................... 70
1. Right to participate in the hearing ...................................................................................................................................... 71
2. Law of evidence/right to remain silent ............................................................................................................................... 72
College 12: 18 november 2022.............................................................................................................. 73
3. Right of acces to a lawyer .................................................................................................................................................... 73
CASES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 76
College 13: 21 november 2022.............................................................................................................. 79
XII. Right to Respect for Private and Family Life .............................................................................................. 79
A. Right to respect for private life (recht op eerbieding van het privé leven) .................................................... 79
• I. Toepassingsgbied......................................................................................................................................................... 79
• II. Negatieve verplichting ............................................................................................................................................... 80
College 14: 25 november 2022.............................................................................................................. 87
B. Right to Respect Family Life ........................................................................................................................ 89
• Negatieve verplichtingen ............................................................................................................................................... 89
• Positieve verplichtingen ................................................................................................................................................. 90
2
, CASES AND QUESTIONS (p.410) ...................................................................................................................... 91
College 15: 28 november 2022.............................................................................................................. 95
XIII. Freedom of Assembly and Association (vrijheid van vergadering en vereniging) ....................................... 95
1. Bronnen ................................................................................................................................................................................ 95
2. Vrijheid van vergadering en vereniging .............................................................................................................................. 95
3. Vakbondsvrijheid ............................................................................................................................................................ 98
4. Recht op staking: beschermd door artikel 11 EVRM? ................................................................................................... 99
CASES AND QUESTIONS (p.436) .................................................................................................................... 101
College 16: 2 December 2022 ............................................................................................................. 102
XIV. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ...................................................................................................... 103
1. Wettelijke bronnen ............................................................................................................................................................ 103
2. Klassieke (gedateerde?) aanpak ........................................................................................................................................ 105
3. Alternatieve geïntegreerde benadering ............................................................................................................................ 106
4. ESCR (Europees verdrag voor sociale en culturele rechten): typologie van de verplichtingn ........................................ 108
College 17: 5 December 2022 ............................................................................................................. 111
CASES AND QUESTIONS................................................................................................................................ 115
XV. Right to protection of health .................................................................................................................. 117
1. Definitie .............................................................................................................................................................................. 117
2. Bronnen .............................................................................................................................................................................. 117
3. Toepassingsgebied ............................................................................................................................................................. 117
4. Verplichtingen .................................................................................................................................................................... 119
College 18: 9 December 2022 ............................................................................................................. 120
CASES AND QUESTIONS (zie forum) ............................................................................................................. 124
College 19: 12 December 2022............................................................................................................ 126
XVI. Right to education ................................................................................................................................ 126
1. Bronnen ............................................................................................................................................................................. 126
2. Toepassingsgebied ............................................................................................................................................................. 126
3. Dimensies ........................................................................................................................................................................... 127
4. Kernverplichtingen: §57 General Comment...................................................................................................................... 128
5. Vrijheid van onderwijs.................................................................................................................................................. 128
5.A. Vrijheid van onderwijs: respect voor religieuze en filosofische overtuigen van de ouders ........................................ 129
5.B. Vrijheid van onderwijs: religieuze en filosofische overtuigen van de ouders .............................................................. 129
6.A Recht op onderwijs – Positieve verplichting: beschikbaarheid en toegankelijkheid onderwijs .................................. 130
6.B Recht – Positieve verplichting: gratis (primair) onderwijs ............................................................................................. 131
CASES AND QUESTIONS................................................................................................................................ 132
College 20: 16 December 2022............................................................................................................ 133
XVII. Equality and non-discrimination ........................................................................................................... 134
0. Poll: voorkeur: formele gelijkheid of situationele gelijkheid? ......................................................................................... 134
1. Bronnen ............................................................................................................................................................................. 134
2. Wettelijke betekenis .......................................................................................................................................................... 135
3. Typologie ............................................................................................................................................................................ 136
4. Beschermde gronden ......................................................................................................................................................... 140
College 21: 19 December 2022............................................................................................................ 142
5. Toegevoegde waarden Europees-handvest ...................................................................................................................... 145
CASES AND QUESTIONS................................................................................................................................ 146
3
, College 1: 30 september 2022
Ia. General Information
Week of 4/11 and 7/11 : extra preparation
- Prohibition of torture and fair trial (scope)
- On Friday he will give the information to know what you have to read
o Next week: universal system and council of europe
- Also possibility to earn bonus points by participating in forum
Course material
- ACCO: Human rights treaties
- ACCO: Human rights: selected judgments and documents 2022-23
- PPTs
Extra
- Bring your selected judgements and human right treaties
- Be prepared: read your assignment = goede voorbereiding voor het examen
- Active participation
Exam
- Two questions: oral with written preparation (1h preps and 15m exam)
o One inside question: ‘explain’
o Second one is a a case
▪ Cross-references are allowed
4
Table of Contents
College 1: 30 september 2022.................................................................................................................4
Ia. General Information .................................................................................................................................... 4
Ib. Concept of Human Rights Law ..................................................................................................................... 5
1. TERMINOLOGY .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
2. LEGAL SOURCES ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
3. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE................................................................................................................................................. 8
4. NO HIERARCHY.................................................................................................................................................................. 9
College 2: 3 oktober 2022 ..................................................................................................................... 10
II. Universal protection (United Nations)......................................................................................................... 10
1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR 1948) .................................................................................................. 10
2. Treaties............................................................................................................................................................................ 10
3. Universal Mechanisms.................................................................................................................................................... 11
4. Illustrations ..................................................................................................................................................................... 13
III. The council of Europe ................................................................................................................................ 14
1. Two Europes.................................................................................................................................................................... 14
College 3: 7 oktober 2022 ..................................................................................................................... 16
2. Council of Europe ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
College 4: 10 oktober 2022 ................................................................................................................... 19
IV. European Union ........................................................................................................................................ 23
1. CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EU ............................................................................................................... 23
2. EU ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS ....................................................................................................................................... 23
College 5: 14 oktober 2022 ................................................................................................................... 24
European Union ............................................................................................................................................. 24
2. EU ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS ....................................................................................................................................... 24
V. Jurisdiction and Extra-territoriality ............................................................................................................. 25
1. Sources.................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
2. Art. 1 ECHR: jurisdiction ....................................................................................................................................................... 25
3. Art. 1 ECHR: attribution: participation in UN-operations ................................................................................................... 28
4. Art. 2(1) CESCR: ‘Internal obligations’ ................................................................................................................................. 29
CASES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 30
College 6: 21 oktober 2022 (2 colleges achter elkaar)............................................................................ 31
VI. Effects of Human Rights Treaties in Belgium .............................................................................................. 31
1. Relationship between legal orders: effect of treaties in Belgium ...................................................................................... 31
2. Human Rights Protection in Belgium................................................................................................................................... 33
3. Execution of ECtHR judgements in Belgium: hoe voer je een beslissing van EHRM uit? .................................................. 33
4. Effective remedy .................................................................................................................................................................. 34
VII. Typology of Human Rights Obligations...................................................................................................... 34
1. Human Rights Treaties: interpreting open norms .............................................................................................................. 34
- Interpretation techniques .............................................................................................................................................. 34
2. Typology of the State’s Obligations: verschillende soorten staatsverplichtingen ............................................................ 36
2. A Negative Obligations (obligation to respect) ................................................................................................................... 36
2. B Positive Obligations (obligation to protect and fulfill) .................................................................................................... 37
2.C Nature of the Stat’s Obligations (cont’d) .......................................................................................................................... 39
CASES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 40
1
,College 7: 24 oktober 2022 ................................................................................................................... 41
3. Derogable rights in Times of emergency ....................................................................................................................... 41
Cases and questions ................................................................................................................................................................. 42
VIII. Right to life ............................................................................................................................................. 43
1. Absolute right ....................................................................................................................................................................... 43
2. Scope..................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
3. Obligations............................................................................................................................................................................ 44
B. Positive obligations......................................................................................................................................................... 45
a. Osman test!!!!! ............................................................................................................................................................... 45
b. Obligations ...................................................................................................................................................................... 45
4. Positive obligations and right to life.................................................................................................................................... 46
4.1 Against authority ................................................................................................................................................................ 46
4.2 Against third parties: against other individuals ................................................................................................................ 46
4. 3 Against yourself ................................................................................................................................................................. 46
o Lambert v. France ........................................................................................................................................................... 47
College 8: 28 oktober 2022 ................................................................................................................... 48
4.4. Minimal living conditions.................................................................................................................................................. 48
4.5 Procedural obligations ....................................................................................................................................................... 48
CASES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 51
College 9: 4 november 2022 ................................................................................................................. 53
IX. Prohibition of torture of inhuman of degrading treatment ......................................................................... 53
1. Absolute right ....................................................................................................................................................................... 53
2. Applicability .......................................................................................................................................................................... 54
3. Classification (merits) ........................................................................................................................................................... 55
4. Obligations............................................................................................................................................................................ 56
5. Attribution – burden of proof (toeschrijving – bewijslast)................................................................................................. 56
College 10: 7 november 2022 ............................................................................................................... 60
CASES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 62
XA. Right to a fair trial = applicability .............................................................................................................. 63
College 11: 14 november 2022.............................................................................................................. 66
XB. Right to a fair trial = guarantees ............................................................................................................... 66
§1. General guarantees with ‘implied limitations’ (= Algemene waarborgen met impliciete beperkingen) ....................... 66
1. Right to a court (including right of acces) (= recht op een rechter: inclusief recht op toegang) ...................................... 67
2. Organisation and composition ............................................................................................................................................ 67
3. Conduct of the proceedings (= verloop van de procedure) ................................................................................................ 68
§2. Criminal proceedings: right to be presumed innocent (recht van vermoeden van onschuld) ....................................... 70
1. Right to participate in the hearing ...................................................................................................................................... 71
2. Law of evidence/right to remain silent ............................................................................................................................... 72
College 12: 18 november 2022.............................................................................................................. 73
3. Right of acces to a lawyer .................................................................................................................................................... 73
CASES AND QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 76
College 13: 21 november 2022.............................................................................................................. 79
XII. Right to Respect for Private and Family Life .............................................................................................. 79
A. Right to respect for private life (recht op eerbieding van het privé leven) .................................................... 79
• I. Toepassingsgbied......................................................................................................................................................... 79
• II. Negatieve verplichting ............................................................................................................................................... 80
College 14: 25 november 2022.............................................................................................................. 87
B. Right to Respect Family Life ........................................................................................................................ 89
• Negatieve verplichtingen ............................................................................................................................................... 89
• Positieve verplichtingen ................................................................................................................................................. 90
2
, CASES AND QUESTIONS (p.410) ...................................................................................................................... 91
College 15: 28 november 2022.............................................................................................................. 95
XIII. Freedom of Assembly and Association (vrijheid van vergadering en vereniging) ....................................... 95
1. Bronnen ................................................................................................................................................................................ 95
2. Vrijheid van vergadering en vereniging .............................................................................................................................. 95
3. Vakbondsvrijheid ............................................................................................................................................................ 98
4. Recht op staking: beschermd door artikel 11 EVRM? ................................................................................................... 99
CASES AND QUESTIONS (p.436) .................................................................................................................... 101
College 16: 2 December 2022 ............................................................................................................. 102
XIV. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ...................................................................................................... 103
1. Wettelijke bronnen ............................................................................................................................................................ 103
2. Klassieke (gedateerde?) aanpak ........................................................................................................................................ 105
3. Alternatieve geïntegreerde benadering ............................................................................................................................ 106
4. ESCR (Europees verdrag voor sociale en culturele rechten): typologie van de verplichtingn ........................................ 108
College 17: 5 December 2022 ............................................................................................................. 111
CASES AND QUESTIONS................................................................................................................................ 115
XV. Right to protection of health .................................................................................................................. 117
1. Definitie .............................................................................................................................................................................. 117
2. Bronnen .............................................................................................................................................................................. 117
3. Toepassingsgebied ............................................................................................................................................................. 117
4. Verplichtingen .................................................................................................................................................................... 119
College 18: 9 December 2022 ............................................................................................................. 120
CASES AND QUESTIONS (zie forum) ............................................................................................................. 124
College 19: 12 December 2022............................................................................................................ 126
XVI. Right to education ................................................................................................................................ 126
1. Bronnen ............................................................................................................................................................................. 126
2. Toepassingsgebied ............................................................................................................................................................. 126
3. Dimensies ........................................................................................................................................................................... 127
4. Kernverplichtingen: §57 General Comment...................................................................................................................... 128
5. Vrijheid van onderwijs.................................................................................................................................................. 128
5.A. Vrijheid van onderwijs: respect voor religieuze en filosofische overtuigen van de ouders ........................................ 129
5.B. Vrijheid van onderwijs: religieuze en filosofische overtuigen van de ouders .............................................................. 129
6.A Recht op onderwijs – Positieve verplichting: beschikbaarheid en toegankelijkheid onderwijs .................................. 130
6.B Recht – Positieve verplichting: gratis (primair) onderwijs ............................................................................................. 131
CASES AND QUESTIONS................................................................................................................................ 132
College 20: 16 December 2022............................................................................................................ 133
XVII. Equality and non-discrimination ........................................................................................................... 134
0. Poll: voorkeur: formele gelijkheid of situationele gelijkheid? ......................................................................................... 134
1. Bronnen ............................................................................................................................................................................. 134
2. Wettelijke betekenis .......................................................................................................................................................... 135
3. Typologie ............................................................................................................................................................................ 136
4. Beschermde gronden ......................................................................................................................................................... 140
College 21: 19 December 2022............................................................................................................ 142
5. Toegevoegde waarden Europees-handvest ...................................................................................................................... 145
CASES AND QUESTIONS................................................................................................................................ 146
3
, College 1: 30 september 2022
Ia. General Information
Week of 4/11 and 7/11 : extra preparation
- Prohibition of torture and fair trial (scope)
- On Friday he will give the information to know what you have to read
o Next week: universal system and council of europe
- Also possibility to earn bonus points by participating in forum
Course material
- ACCO: Human rights treaties
- ACCO: Human rights: selected judgments and documents 2022-23
- PPTs
Extra
- Bring your selected judgements and human right treaties
- Be prepared: read your assignment = goede voorbereiding voor het examen
- Active participation
Exam
- Two questions: oral with written preparation (1h preps and 15m exam)
o One inside question: ‘explain’
o Second one is a a case
▪ Cross-references are allowed
4
