LCP4807
Assignment 1
Due 20 August 2025
, International Human Rights Law: Definition and Distinction from IHL, ICL, and IRL
1. Introduction
International Human Rights Law (IHRL) serves as a fundamental framework in
international law, designed to ensure that all individuals enjoy inherent dignity and
inalienable rights at all times. While it shares some common objectives with
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Criminal Law (ICL), and International
Refugee Law (IRL), each of these legal regimes has its own scope, purpose, and
mechanisms for enforcement. This paper provides a clear definition of IHRL, explores
its legal foundations, and distinguishes it from the other three branches, highlighting
areas of interaction and the application of the lex specialis principle.
2. Defining International Human Rights Law
IHRL is a set of legal norms that obligates states to respect, protect, and realize the
rights of individuals under their jurisdiction. Its principal sources include:
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948)
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966)
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR,
1966)
Key characteristics of IHRL include:
Universality: Rights apply to every individual by virtue of being human.
Binding nature: States have enforceable duties to uphold these rights.
Applicability: IHRL is relevant in both peace and conflict, although certain rights
may be lawfully limited during emergencies.
Monitoring and compliance: Bodies such as UN treaty committees and regional
courts supervise adherence to human rights obligations.
Assignment 1
Due 20 August 2025
, International Human Rights Law: Definition and Distinction from IHL, ICL, and IRL
1. Introduction
International Human Rights Law (IHRL) serves as a fundamental framework in
international law, designed to ensure that all individuals enjoy inherent dignity and
inalienable rights at all times. While it shares some common objectives with
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Criminal Law (ICL), and International
Refugee Law (IRL), each of these legal regimes has its own scope, purpose, and
mechanisms for enforcement. This paper provides a clear definition of IHRL, explores
its legal foundations, and distinguishes it from the other three branches, highlighting
areas of interaction and the application of the lex specialis principle.
2. Defining International Human Rights Law
IHRL is a set of legal norms that obligates states to respect, protect, and realize the
rights of individuals under their jurisdiction. Its principal sources include:
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948)
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966)
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR,
1966)
Key characteristics of IHRL include:
Universality: Rights apply to every individual by virtue of being human.
Binding nature: States have enforceable duties to uphold these rights.
Applicability: IHRL is relevant in both peace and conflict, although certain rights
may be lawfully limited during emergencies.
Monitoring and compliance: Bodies such as UN treaty committees and regional
courts supervise adherence to human rights obligations.
