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Human Rights

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:9.00
Study Course Accepted:02.02.2024 12:30:31
Study Course Information
Course Code:JF_331LQF level:Level 6
Credit Points:2.00ECTS:3.00
Branch of Science:Law; Theory and History of RightsTarget Audience:Person and Property Defence
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Olafs Brūvers
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfatrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)12Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures24
Classes (count)4Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes8
Total Contact Hours32
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)4Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures8
Classes (count)2Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes4
Total Contact Hours12
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Not required.
Objective:
The aim of the course is to provide knowledge of the historical development and foundations of Human Rights and structure; the Human Rights protection mechanisms and to raise awareness of the need for respect and observance of Human Rights by law enforcement institutions. The objectives in achieving the goals are: 1) to provide knowledge of Human Rights; introduce to national and international legislation; 2) to raise awareness of respect for Human Rights in law enforcement and to present application, compliance issues, problems and protective mechanisms of Human Rights; 3) to present and discuss the European Court of Human Rights practice in relation to the examination and decisions of states' violations of Human Rights.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Historical development of Human Rights concept, rules and principles. • the oldest sources and articles of human rights, • fundamental rights of democracy and justice from the antique world to our days, • key historical conditions and rules for human rights development.Lectures2.00auditorium
2Human Rights protection mechanisms in the world and the conditions for their use • universal protection mechanisms, • regional protection mechanisms, • globalisation processes, positive and negative aspects. Human rights protection mechanisms in Latvia and their availability, • state and local authorities, • court system and its functions in Latvia, • ombudsman's office (Human Rights ombudsman), • non-governmental organisations and their role in protecting and promoting Human Rights.Lectures4.00auditorium
3Human Rights aspects and norms in police work.Classes1.00auditorium
4Human rights categories: civil and political rights; police competence and rights • the right to life. Abolishment of the death penalty, • the rights of the person in detention and imprisonment, • prohibition of torture, • the availability and conditions of the defense (lawyer), • prohibition of slavery and forced labour.Lectures4.00auditorium
5Human Rights violation issues, examination, procedures and police responsibility.Classes1.00auditorium
6Interpretation, application and observance of Human Rights rules in National legislation • the scope of democratic principles nowadays • application of fundamental Human Rights in Latvia • the role of the Constitutional Court in strengthening and protecting Human Rights in Latvia • interpretation of Human Rights Acts and State's Constitution • Human Rghts borders (limitation conditions) and their meaning • Police activities, behavior and rights in observance, promotion and strengthening of HR.Lectures2.00auditorium
7Practical aspects of cooperation between police and Human Rights organisations, possible challenges and solutions.Classes2.00auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Historical development of Human Rights concept, rules and principles. • the oldest sources and articles of human rights, • fundamental rights of democracy and justice from the antique world to our days, • key historical conditions and rules for human rights development.Lectures0.50auditorium
2Human Rights protection mechanisms in the world and the conditions for their use • universal protection mechanisms, • regional protection mechanisms, • globalisation processes, positive and negative aspects. Human rights protection mechanisms in Latvia and their availability, • state and local authorities, • court system and its functions in Latvia, • ombudsman's office (Human Rights ombudsman), • non-governmental organisations and their role in protecting and promoting Human Rights.Lectures1.00auditorium
3Human Rights aspects and norms in police work.Classes0.50auditorium
4Human rights categories: civil and political rights; police competence and rights • the right to life. Abolishment of the death penalty, • the rights of the person in detention and imprisonment, • prohibition of torture, • the availability and conditions of the defense (lawyer), • prohibition of slavery and forced labour.Lectures1.00auditorium
5Human Rights violation issues, examination, procedures and police responsibility.Classes0.50auditorium
6Interpretation, application and observance of Human Rights rules in National legislation • the scope of democratic principles nowadays • application of fundamental Human Rights in Latvia • the role of the Constitutional Court in strengthening and protecting Human Rights in Latvia • interpretation of Human Rights Acts and State's Constitution • Human Rghts borders (limitation conditions) and their meaning • Police activities, behavior and rights in observance, promotion and strengthening of HR.Lectures1.50auditorium
7Practical aspects of cooperation between police and Human Rights organisations, possible challenges and solutions.Classes1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
During the study course students will have to present a written work (paper, volume from 4 to 6 pages), discussing and analysing some issue of the Human Rights. The students' ability to apply the knowledge acquired in the written work, and to perform an analysis of the topic (problem) chosen will be particularly considered.
Assessment Criteria:
10-point evaluation system: active participation in lectures/workshops – 10%; presentation of written work (paper) – 30%; final exam – 60%.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:On course completion, students will be able to identify the most important aspects of human rights; describe and analyse the main fundamental principles of these rights in the world and in Latvia; they will be prepared to work independently and apply Human Rights protection mechanisms in the Police activities and work, as well as capable of defending and promoting the observance of the Human Rights rules in the Police every day tasks in Latvia.
Skills:On course completion, students will have skills to name and analyse the problems of practical application of Human Rights in Police work; to define and describe the various rights and freedoms covered by a legal catalogue; to determine the content and borders of Human Rights, to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in practical work; to conduct an analysis of the practice of European Court of Human Rights, to describe its effects on the development and strengthening of Human Rghts in Latvia.
Competencies:The knowledge acquired will enable students to participate with a competence in the work of the Law Enforcement, protection and assistance institutions; promote the Human Rights competence and understanding of these institutions (as police and others) directly in the areas of Human Rights protection; strengthening development and promotion of Human Rights with a competent action in police activities.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Bojārs J.Starptautiskās publiskās tiesības, I daļa, IX nodaļa –Cilvēka tiesības, Rīga, Zvaigzne ABC, 3.pārstrādātais izdevums,, 1996
2Cilvēktiesības un sabiedrības drošība, Starptautiskās zinātniski praktiskās konferences izdevums, Rīga, LPA, 2004. -247;
3Kēnigs M. Cilvēktiesības, Rīga: Tiesu nama aģentūra, 2010. – 133;
4Oldersans D. Cilvēktiesības un policija, Rīga, LPA, 2004. -184;
5Policija un cilvēktiesības. Eiropas aktualitātes. Cilvēktiesību žurnāls nr. 13/14, Rīga, LU JF Cilvēktiesību institūts, 2001. -298;
6Ruķere I. Sūdzību izskatīšana un policijas atbildība, PROVIDUS, Rīga. Nordik, 2005. -132;
7Crawshaw R., Devlin B., Williamson T. Human Rights and Policing, Standards for Good Behaviour and a Strategy for Change. Kluwer Law International, 1998. -295;
8The right to liberty and security of the person. A guide to the implementation of Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Council of Europe, 2002;
9The prohibition of torture. A guide to the implementation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Council of Europe, 2003;
10Human Rights Standards and Practice for the Police, Expanded Pocket Book on Human Rights for the Police, United Nations, Geneva, 2004,
11Jim Murdoch and Ralph Roche, THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND POLICING, A Handbook for Police Officers and other Law Enforcement Officials, Council of Europe Publishing, 2013
12Guidelines on Human Rights Education for Law Enforcement Officials, Published by the OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw, Poland, 2012
13Policing and Human rights, Standards for Police Cells, Office of Police Integrity, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia 2008
14 Ēriks Treļs un Ērika Krutova, POLICIJAS TIESĪBAS SHĒMĀS UN TABULĀS, Rīga 2016
Additional Reading
1To Serve and to Protect: Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for Police and Security, Second Edition Revised and updated by Anja Bienert, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland, March 2017.
2Police and Human Rights, Council of Europe
3POLICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCES, Amnesty International
4Steiner H., Alston P., Goodman R.Internacional human rights in context, USA, Oxford University press, 2008. -1492;
5Cilvēktiesību un pamatbrīvību aizsardzības konvencija, Eiropas Cilvēktiesību Tiesa, Eiropas Padome, Strasbūra, Francija
6LR Likums Par Policiju, 26.05.2016
7Modris Žeivots, Vai arī policistam ir cilvēktiesības? Laikraksts „Latvijas Vēstnesis” 26.08.2004., Nr. 135 (3083
8Cilvēktiesību Žurnāls #13-14 , Policija un cilvēktiesības. Aktualitātes Eiropā
9Cilvēktiesību komisija: Valsts policijai jānodrošina mājokļa neaizskaramība (10.09.2014.) LR Saeimas Preses dienests
Other Information Sources
1www.likumi.lv
2www.tiesibsargs.lv