Human Rights Law

Atty. Euville T. Coquia

I. The Nature of Human Rights

A. Origin
B. Definition
UN Definition
PH Commission on Human Rights Definition
C. Basic Characteristics: Inherent, Fundamental, Inalienable,
Imprescriptible, Indivisible, Universal, Interdependent
D. Classification of Rights
As to Source Natural, Constitutional, Statutory
As to Recipient Individual, Collective
As to Aspect of life Civil, Political, Economic, Social, Cultural
As to Struggle for Recognition/3 Generations 1st Generation of
rights, 2nd Generation of rights & 3rd Generation of rights
As to Derogability Absolute, Relative
E. Principles
Principle of Universality
Principle of Indivisibility
Principle of Inter-dependence
F. Components
Right-holder
Duty-holder
Object
Implementation
G. Stages
Idealization
Positivization
Realization
H. Obligation of State Parties: To RESPECT, ENSURE, PROTECT

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II. Sources of Rights
A. International Agreements/Conventions/Treaties
B. International Customary Law:
Jus cogens
Obligatio erga omnes
Universal jurisdiction
Actio popularis
C. General Principles of Law
D. Judicial Decisions & Teachings:
International Court of Justice
International Criminal Court
Ad hoc criminal tribunals
Regional Courts
Hybrid or Internationalized Courts
E. The 1987 Constitution
F. The International Bill of Rights

III. Theories
A. Religious/Theological Approach
B. Natural Law Theory
C. Positivist Theory
D. Theory of Marxism
E. The Sociological Approach
F. Utilitarian Theory
G. Theories of Justice
H. Theory based on Equality & Respect of Human Dignity
IV. The International Bill of Human Rights
A. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
B. International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR)
C. International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
(ICESCR)

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V. Vulnerable Sectors:
Rights of Children
Youth Sector
Elderly Sector
Physically & Mentally Disabled Persons
Prisoners/Detainees
Migrant Workers
Laborers
Household Helpers
Refugees
Stateless Persons
VI. Discrimination:
Racial Discrimination
Sex Discrimination
Religious Discrimination
VII. International Humanitarian Law
A. Definition
B. 2 Components of IHL
C. Application of IHL
D. Fundamental Rules of IHL
E. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) versus International Human
Rights Law (IHRL)
VIII. Remedies for the enforcement of Human Rights
A. Domestic:
Civil Remedies
Criminal Remedies
Administrative Remedies
Commission on Human Rights
B. International:
1. Under UN Treaties:
The Optional Protocol to ICCPR

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 International Covenant on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination
Convention Against Torture & Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment
2. The 1503 Procedure
3. International Criminal Court (ICC) Rome Statute
IX. Commission on Human Rights
X. Writ of Amparo

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Secure a copy of the UDHR & ALWAYS bring the 1987 PH

Constitution Codal.
Read the books of Justice Jorge Coquia, Commissioner Rene
Sarmiento, & Atty. Pepita Petralba.
Read the assigned cases.
Study as if everything depends on you and pray as if everything
depends on God.

- Atty. ETC

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