Fall SemeSter 2025 – lCP4807 InternatIonal
Human rIgHtS law | oCtober/november
PortFolIo ComPlete anSwerS | uPdated
2025/2026 edItIon | verIFIed unISa guIde | due 31
oCtober 2025 | 100% exam-ready Study
materIal For unIverSIty oF SoutH aFrICa
StudentS
Question 1
Which of the following documents is considered the foundational international
treaty for the protection of human rights?
A) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
B) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
C) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
D) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Correct Option: B) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Rationale: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in 1948, is considered the foundational document for
international human rights law. It sets out fundamental human rights that are
universally protected and serves as a common standard for all nations.
Question 2
What is the principle of non-refoulement in international law?
A) The obligation not to return refugees to a country where they face serious
threats.
B) The requirement to provide asylum seekers with legal representation.
C) The right of states to detain asylum seekers indefinitely.
D) The duty to conduct fair trials for all individuals.
Correct Option: A) The obligation not to return refugees to a country where they face
serious threats.
Rationale: The principle of non-refoulement is a fundamental aspect of international
refugee law, prohibiting countries from returning refugees to places where their lives or
freedoms could be threatened. It is enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention and is
crucial for protecting individuals fleeing persecution.
Question 3
Which treaty specifically addresses the rights of children?
,A) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
B) Convention on the Rights of the Child
C) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
D) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Correct Option: B) Convention on the Rights of the Child
Rationale: The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), adopted in 1989, is the key
international legal instrument specifically aimed at protecting the rights of children,
ensuring their development, and safeguarding their well-being.
Question 4
Which of the following is NOT a civil and political right?
A) Right to free speech
B) Right to a fair trial
C) Right to education
D) Right to privacy
Correct Option: C) Right to education
Rationale: The right to education is typically classified as an economic, social, and
cultural right, whereas the other options are considered civil and political rights,
focusing on individual liberties and protection from state interference.
Question 5
Which international body is responsible for monitoring compliance with the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?
A) United Nations General Assembly
B) Human Rights Committee
C) International Court of Justice
D) United Nations Security Council
Correct Option: B) Human Rights Committee
Rationale: The Human Rights Committee is the body of independent experts that
monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR) by its state parties, reviewing reports and making recommendations.
Question 6
What does the term "jus cogens" refer to in international law?
,A) Peremptory norms from which no derogation is permitted.
B) Laws that are specific to humanitarian contexts.
C) Agreements that require ratification by all states.
D) Soft law provisions that guide state behavior.
Correct Option: A) Peremptory norms from which no derogation is permitted.
Rationale: Jus cogens are fundamental principles of international law that are
universally recognized and cannot be violated, such as the prohibitions against torture
and genocide.
Question 7
Which of the following rights is explicitly protected under the Convention Against
Torture?
A) Right to privacy
B) Right to a fair trial
C) Right not to be tortured
D) Right to freedom of expression
Correct Option: C) Right not to be tortured
Rationale: The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment explicitly prohibits torture and ensures that no exceptional
circumstances can justify such acts.
Question 8
What is the main objective of the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
A) To enforce international trade agreements
B) To provide humanitarian aid in conflict zones
C) To prosecute individuals for international crimes
D) To mediate disputes between states
Correct Option: C) To prosecute individuals for international crimes
Rationale: The ICC is established to hold individuals accountable for serious crimes
such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, thus contributing to
international justice.
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT a right protected under the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?
, A) Right to work
B) Right to bear arms
C) Right to health
D) Right to education
Correct Option: B) Right to bear arms
Rationale: The right to bear arms is not included in the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which focuses on rights related to economic and
social well-being.
Question 10
What is the purpose of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)?
A) To assess military capabilities of member states
B) To review the human rights records of all UN member states
C) To monitor state compliance with trade agreements
D) To evaluate national security strategies
Correct Option: B) To review the human rights records of all UN member states
Rationale: The UPR is a unique process established by the UN Human Rights Council to
assess the human rights situations in all member states, providing an opportunity for
states to declare what actions they have taken to improve human rights.
Question 11
Which of the following is a key feature of the right to a fair trial?
A) Right to a public trial
B) Right to legal representation
C) Right to an impartial tribunal
D) All of the above
Correct Option: D) All of the above
Rationale: The right to a fair trial encompasses several safeguards, including the right to
a public trial, legal representation, and an impartial tribunal, ensuring justice and
fairness in legal proceedings.
Question 12
What does the term "discrimination" refer to in the context of human rights?
A) The act of treating everyone equally
B) The process of evaluating individuals based on their merits
Human rIgHtS law | oCtober/november
PortFolIo ComPlete anSwerS | uPdated
2025/2026 edItIon | verIFIed unISa guIde | due 31
oCtober 2025 | 100% exam-ready Study
materIal For unIverSIty oF SoutH aFrICa
StudentS
Question 1
Which of the following documents is considered the foundational international
treaty for the protection of human rights?
A) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
B) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
C) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
D) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Correct Option: B) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Rationale: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in 1948, is considered the foundational document for
international human rights law. It sets out fundamental human rights that are
universally protected and serves as a common standard for all nations.
Question 2
What is the principle of non-refoulement in international law?
A) The obligation not to return refugees to a country where they face serious
threats.
B) The requirement to provide asylum seekers with legal representation.
C) The right of states to detain asylum seekers indefinitely.
D) The duty to conduct fair trials for all individuals.
Correct Option: A) The obligation not to return refugees to a country where they face
serious threats.
Rationale: The principle of non-refoulement is a fundamental aspect of international
refugee law, prohibiting countries from returning refugees to places where their lives or
freedoms could be threatened. It is enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention and is
crucial for protecting individuals fleeing persecution.
Question 3
Which treaty specifically addresses the rights of children?
,A) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
B) Convention on the Rights of the Child
C) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
D) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Correct Option: B) Convention on the Rights of the Child
Rationale: The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), adopted in 1989, is the key
international legal instrument specifically aimed at protecting the rights of children,
ensuring their development, and safeguarding their well-being.
Question 4
Which of the following is NOT a civil and political right?
A) Right to free speech
B) Right to a fair trial
C) Right to education
D) Right to privacy
Correct Option: C) Right to education
Rationale: The right to education is typically classified as an economic, social, and
cultural right, whereas the other options are considered civil and political rights,
focusing on individual liberties and protection from state interference.
Question 5
Which international body is responsible for monitoring compliance with the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?
A) United Nations General Assembly
B) Human Rights Committee
C) International Court of Justice
D) United Nations Security Council
Correct Option: B) Human Rights Committee
Rationale: The Human Rights Committee is the body of independent experts that
monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR) by its state parties, reviewing reports and making recommendations.
Question 6
What does the term "jus cogens" refer to in international law?
,A) Peremptory norms from which no derogation is permitted.
B) Laws that are specific to humanitarian contexts.
C) Agreements that require ratification by all states.
D) Soft law provisions that guide state behavior.
Correct Option: A) Peremptory norms from which no derogation is permitted.
Rationale: Jus cogens are fundamental principles of international law that are
universally recognized and cannot be violated, such as the prohibitions against torture
and genocide.
Question 7
Which of the following rights is explicitly protected under the Convention Against
Torture?
A) Right to privacy
B) Right to a fair trial
C) Right not to be tortured
D) Right to freedom of expression
Correct Option: C) Right not to be tortured
Rationale: The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment explicitly prohibits torture and ensures that no exceptional
circumstances can justify such acts.
Question 8
What is the main objective of the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
A) To enforce international trade agreements
B) To provide humanitarian aid in conflict zones
C) To prosecute individuals for international crimes
D) To mediate disputes between states
Correct Option: C) To prosecute individuals for international crimes
Rationale: The ICC is established to hold individuals accountable for serious crimes
such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, thus contributing to
international justice.
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT a right protected under the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?
, A) Right to work
B) Right to bear arms
C) Right to health
D) Right to education
Correct Option: B) Right to bear arms
Rationale: The right to bear arms is not included in the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which focuses on rights related to economic and
social well-being.
Question 10
What is the purpose of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)?
A) To assess military capabilities of member states
B) To review the human rights records of all UN member states
C) To monitor state compliance with trade agreements
D) To evaluate national security strategies
Correct Option: B) To review the human rights records of all UN member states
Rationale: The UPR is a unique process established by the UN Human Rights Council to
assess the human rights situations in all member states, providing an opportunity for
states to declare what actions they have taken to improve human rights.
Question 11
Which of the following is a key feature of the right to a fair trial?
A) Right to a public trial
B) Right to legal representation
C) Right to an impartial tribunal
D) All of the above
Correct Option: D) All of the above
Rationale: The right to a fair trial encompasses several safeguards, including the right to
a public trial, legal representation, and an impartial tribunal, ensuring justice and
fairness in legal proceedings.
Question 12
What does the term "discrimination" refer to in the context of human rights?
A) The act of treating everyone equally
B) The process of evaluating individuals based on their merits
