• E4J University Module Series: Counter-Terrorism

• Module 8: Right to Life

• Introduction and learning outcomes

• Key issues

• • International human rights instruments
  • Regional human rights instruments
  • International humanitarian law
  • Extra-territorial application of the right to life
  • Arbitrary deprivation of life
  • The death penalty
  • Enforced disappearances
  • Armed conflict context

• Exercises and case studies

• Possible class structure

• Core reading

• Advanced reading

• Student assessment

• Additional teaching tools

• References

 

Published in July 2018.

 

 

  This module is a resource for lecturers  

 

Student assessment

 

This section provides suggestions for post-class assignments for the purpose of assessing students' understanding of the Module. Suggestions for pre-class or in-class assignments are provided in the Exercises section.

Assessment questions

• Critically compare and contrast different disciplinary approaches to 'the right to life' within international and regional human rights treaties, identifying key areas of similarity and difference, including the implications of these for individuals.
• Critically compare and evaluate international and regional frameworks with accompanying case law regarding the (in)ability to derogate from the 'right to life' during times of public emergency. (See also Module 7).
• What significant differences exist, in terms of the legal obligations of States under treaty or customary international law, to protect the 'right to life' of different categories of persons in peacetime and armed conflict situations?
• Explain the concept of 'arbitrary deprivation of life', drawing upon international and/or regional legal instruments, outputs and case law to both explain and illustrate this concept.
• There is increased international and regional focus on adopting more 'gender-sensitive' approaches including on terrorism and counter-terrorism related issues. Explain what this concept means, and then critically discuss whether such an approach is necessary and justifiable under existing international/regional obligations, illustrated by the right to life.
• The Head of the World Food Programme previously described his organization as being "the first line of defence against extremism and terrorism". Discuss what this means with respect to the arbitrary deprivation of life, referencing too Pillars I and IV of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (see further Module 2).
• Why can the imposition of the death penalty to punish terrorism -related crimes be so controversial in some countries? Discuss with reference to relevant international/regional human rights instruments, illustrated by national examples.

 

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