This course presents the relevant norms on the global and European level, focusing on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights. It is oriented at advising students to handle international environmental law cases before the UN Human Rights Committee, the European Court of Human Rights and the EU Court of Justice as well as the UN and European Committees on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (09.04.2025)
This course presents the relevant norms on the global and European level, focusing on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights. It is oriented at advising students to handle international environmental law cases before the UN Human Rights Committee, the European Court of Human Rights and the EU Court of Justice as well as the UN and European Committees on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (09.04.2025)
Requirements to the exam -
1. Attendance
2. Activity in Discussion
3. Written Paper
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (09.04.2025)
1. Attendance
2. Activity in Discussion
3. Written Paper
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (09.04.2025)
Syllabus -
The course covers primarily the following topics:
1. Conceptual Issues with Regard to Human Rights and Protection of the Environment
2. Protection of the Environment and Universal Human Rights Documents
3. The Role of Universal International Organisations
4. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol
5. State Obligations under the ICESCR and Selected Substantive Rights
6. The Right to Health. Domestic Application and Reservations
7. Regional Instruments on the Protection of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
8. Protection of Environment in the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights
9. The Role of the European Convention on Human Rights as to Protection of the Environment
10. The Right to Privacy. ECtHR jurisprudence
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (28.08.2025)
The course covers primarily the following topics:
1. Conceptual Issues with Regard to Human Rights and Protection of the Environment
2. Protection of the Environment and Universal Human Rights Documents
3. The Role of Universal International Organisations
4. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol
5. State Obligations under the ICESCR and Selected Substantive Rights
6. The Right to Health. Domestic Application and Reservations
7. Regional Instruments on the Protection of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
8. Protection of Environment in the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights
9. The Role of the European Convention on Human Rights as to Protection of the Environment
10. The Right to Privacy. ECtHR jurisprudence
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (28.08.2025)
Learning resources -
Basic literature:
PETERSMANN, M.-C., When Environmental Protection and Human Rights Collide. Cambridge 2022. ISBN 9781009026659.
DE SCHUTTER, O., International Human Rights Law: Cases, Materials, Commentary. 3rd updated edition., Cambridge 2019. ISBN 9781108463560
OVADEK, M., WOUTERS, J., The European Union and Human Rights: Analysis, Cases, and Materials. Oxford 2021. ISBN 9780191923838.
Other literature:
ATAPATTU, Sumudu. UN Human Rights Institutions and the Environment: Synergies, Challenges, Trajectories. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2023. ISBN 1000878856.
GREAR, Anna; KOTZÉ, Louis a ADELMAN, Sam. Research handbook on human rights and the environment. Cheltenham, England: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015. ISBN 1-78254-443-7.
BENASSI, M., GUPTA, H., POLLMANN, O. (eds.), Human and Environmental Security in the Era of Global Risks. Perspectives from Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. Cham 2019. ISBN 9783319928289
Basic legislation (always in wording in force and effect as on the date of examination):
1. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
3. European Convention on Human Rights
4. European Social Charter and Revised European Social Charter
5. Arab Charter on Human Rights
6. African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights
7. American Convention on Human Rights
8. European Charter on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
Last update: Šicnerová Barbora, Mgr. (28.08.2025)
Basic literature:
PETERSMANN, M.-C., When Environmental Protection and Human Rights Collide. Cambridge 2022. ISBN 9781009026659.
DE SCHUTTER, O., International Human Rights Law: Cases, Materials, Commentary. 3rd updated edition., Cambridge 2019. ISBN 9781108463560
OVADEK, M., WOUTERS, J., The European Union and Human Rights: Analysis, Cases, and Materials. Oxford 2021. ISBN 9780191923838.
Other literature:
ATAPATTU, Sumudu. UN Human Rights Institutions and the Environment: Synergies, Challenges, Trajectories. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2023. ISBN 1000878856.
GREAR, Anna; KOTZÉ, Louis a ADELMAN, Sam. Research handbook on human rights and the environment. Cheltenham, England: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015. ISBN 1-78254-443-7.
BENASSI, M., GUPTA, H., POLLMANN, O. (eds.), Human and Environmental Security in the Era of Global Risks. Perspectives from Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. Cham 2019. ISBN 9783319928289
Basic legislation (always in wording in force and effect as on the date of examination):
1. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
3. European Convention on Human Rights
4. European Social Charter and Revised European Social Charter
5. Arab Charter on Human Rights
6. African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights
7. American Convention on Human Rights
8. European Charter on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
