A five-day, 30-hour introduction to the historical, philosophical, legal, and institutional foundations of human rights, with a focus on implementation in Pakistan and Asia.
Specific Objectives
Specific Objectives
At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Describe the historical and philosophical formation of human rights.
Detail the contents of core human rights treaties.
Explain major contemporary debates on human rights.
Outline human rights issues of current importance in Pakistan.
Describe protection of human rights by the United Nations, civil society, and the Pakistan Government.
About The Course
Course Description
A five-day, 30-hour introduction to the historical, philosophical, legal, and institutional foundations of human rights, with a focus on implementation in Pakistan and Asia.
The course covers the nine core treaties, the rights of women and children, current debates, and the roles of the United Nations, civil society, and the Government of Pakistan.
Course content
10 lectures - 30 hours
Human Rights Fundamentals30 Hours
Introduction to Human Rights3 Hours
Fundamental Human Rights Instruments: UDHR3 Hours
ICESCR: The Treaty3 Hours
ICESCR: Livelihood Rights3 Hours
ICCPR: Civil, Political, and Legal Rights3 Hours
Business and Human Rights3 Hours
ICERD: Racial and Religious Discrimination3 Hours
Disability and Human Rights3 Hours
Domesticating Rights in Pakistan3 Hours
Putting Human Rights Protection into Action3 Hours
5 Days • 10 Main Sessions • 30 Hours
Course Content
Morning: Introduction: Major Historical and Philosophical Concepts
Core principles, purposes, and historical context of human rights.
The first session addresses core principles and purposes of human rights, including universality, inalienability, equality, dignity, and non-discrimination. It also provides the historical context for the rise of human rights.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Describe the historical development of rights.
Define the main philosophical concepts of rights: universal, inalienable, and inherent.
Define terms such as rule of law, equality, and human dignity.
Outline the legal context to human rights: duties, obligations, and compliance.
Debate arguments on the reason for human rights.
Learning Exercises
Defining key concepts in human rights.
Problem-solving case studies.
Activities: Defining key concepts; problem-solving case studies
Afternoon: Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Historical context, Pakistan's role in drafting, purpose, legal status and human rights advocacy.
Activity: Case study on UDHR violations
Morning: ICESCR: The Treaty
Economic, social and cultural rights; progressive realization; justiciability; and the right to work.
Activity: Exercises on progressive realization and justiciability
Afternoon: ICESCR: Livelihood Rights
Food, water, housing and the 4A model: available, accessible, acceptable and adaptable.
Activity: Group negotiation on a housing rights situation
Morning: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Civil, political and legal rights; derogable rights; states of emergency; courtroom rights; freedom of expression and privacy.
Activities: State of Emergency case studies; legal rights case study; debate
Afternoon: Business and Human Rights
ICCPR and ICESCR, the UN Guiding Principles, three pillars, Pakistan context and human rights due diligence.
Activity: Application of HRDD standards to a Pakistan-based case
Morning: ICERD — Racial and Religious Discrimination
Racism, racial discrimination, colonialism, stereotypes, religion, gender discrimination and intersectionality.
Activity: Developing a project to counter racial discrimination
Afternoon: Disability and Human Rights
UNCRPD, disability rights, inclusion, reasonable accommodation, stereotypes and access to education.
Activity: Case study on access to education for persons with disabilities
Morning: Domesticating Human Rights
Treaties ratified by Pakistan, domestic laws, constitutional rights, courts, government institutions, civil society and national human rights institutions.
Activities: Assess rights in the Pakistan Constitution and protection framework
Afternoon: Putting Human Rights Protection Into Action
Role play, debate, mini moot court and a practical community-based human rights scenario.
Participation
Requirements
Readings and learning exercises.
Access to learning resources.
Willingness to participate in group work.
Teaching Method
Teaching & Learning Approach
co_present
Lectures & Presentations
Short lectures and presentations.
groups
Group Learning
Learning exercises and group work.
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Student Practice
Group exercises and in-class quizzes.
Reference Materials
Resources & Materials
menu_book
Required Reading
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Pakistan Constitution.
gavel
Legal Instruments
ICESCR, ICCPR, ICERD, CRPD and the UN Guiding Principles.
library_books
Recommended Reading
SHAPE-SEA / SEAHRN textbook materials, OHCHR materials and Pakistan-focused reports.
fact_check
Case Studies
Pakistan-focused cases used throughout the sessions.
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Audio-Visual Resources
Course media used to support facilitated discussion.
Evaluation
Assessment
Attendance Requirement85%
Activities
UDHR memorization test
UDHR violations quiz
Quiz on UN Protection
Case Studies on the Pakistan Constitution
3–7 August 2026
Course Agenda
Participants Registration
Welcoming RemarksIntroduction to SIHREC — UNDP Pakistan / SIHREC
Ice-Breaker: Human Rights Bingo
Introduction to Major Historical and Philosophical Concepts (Part I)Dr Mike Hayes
Short Break
Introduction to Major Historical and Philosophical Concepts (Part II)Dr Mike Hayes
Lunch
Human Rights Instruments: UDHRDr Mike Hayes
Short Break
Applying Rights in the UDHRDr Mike Hayes
Participants Registration
ICESCR
Short Break
ICESCR: Progressive Realization of Rights; Right to Work
Lunch
ICESCR: Livelihood Rights — Food, Water and Housing
Short Break
Negotiation on the Right to Housing
Participants Registration
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
Short Break
ICCPR: Freedom of Expression; Rights in the Courtroom; States of Emergency
Lunch
ICCPR and ICESCR: Business and Human Rights Framework
Short Break
Business and Human Rights: Best Practices from PakistanCase study on Garment Workers' rights
Participants Registration
ICERD: Debating Racist Stereotypes
Short Break
ICERD: Workplace Discrimination
Lunch
UNCRPD: Disability and Human Rights
Short Break
Rights for PWDs and the Right to Education
Participants Registration
Domesticating Rights in Pakistan: Ratified Treaties, Courts and the Constitution(s)Dr Mike Hayes
Short Break
The Constitution and National Human Rights Protection FrameworkSheherazade Amin — SIHREC
Lunch
Putting Human Rights Protection Into ActionGroup exercise: applying human rights to a local Pakistan community
