European and International Human Rights Law (Advanced LL.M.) Leiden University

Overview

When human rights are violated by a particular state or society, is it more effective to use national, regional or international human rights protection mechanisms to address the issue? And how do different political, social and cultural settings affect the workings of these mechanisms? These questions are a main topic in the European and International Human Rights Law programme.

Human rights are at risk in all societies. Though various national, regional and international human rights instruments have been developed to protect the human rights of all people, some of these are more effective than others in particular situations. In this programme, you will compare the functionality of different protection mechanisms that are currently in place. To this end you will not just study 'the law the books', but also 'the law in action'. You will also learn how the promotion of human rights may require different strategies indifferent political, social and cultural settings. You will also experience this during the study trip to Strassbourg and/or Geneva.

The programme takes a comparative approach to European and international human rights protection mechanisms. This helps you develop a thorough understanding of the various human rights mechanisms that are available and how to effectively put them into practice in different political and social environments.

What you will learn

The programme provides you with the academic and practical knowledge and flexibility you need to be able to work in different human tights settings at the national and international level. Professionals working within the field of human rights will participate in the programme. They will be happy to share their experiences in forging your career in this field. The programme also organises excursions to organisations working in the field, including a study trip to Strasbourg and/or Geneva.

Career prospects

Our graduates have gone on to careers with:

• judges’ cabinets at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg
• the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg
• the International Court of Justice in the Hague
• cabinets of Commissioners of the European Commission in Brussels
• diverse sections of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva
• the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
• the International Committee of the Red Cross
• national and international NGOs
• the civil service in their home countries
• law firms

Many of our graduates have also become human rights researchers and scholars.

Accreditation

Accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.