Module: Race, Minorities & Indigenous in International Law

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Race, Minorities & Indigenous in International Law
Module Code	LAW1089 (ITS: LG5055)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

The course examines international and regional human rights law from the perspective of racial discrimination, minority rights and indigenous peoples. It explores key United Nations human rights treaties and standards, notably the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, among others. It looks at the practice of the UN treaty bodies as they engage with issues of racial discrimination, minority rights and indigenous peoples’ rights, involving states parties and civil society actors. It considers also the UN Special Procedures, notably the mandates of the UN Special Rapporteurs on racism, minority issues and indigenous peoples. The course then turns to the regional human rights systems, in particular the Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, the African Commission and Court of Human Rights, and the nascent Asian human rights bodies. The practice and caselaw of these regional commissions and courts on racial discrimination, minority rights and indigenous peoples will be discussed, as well as thematic issues that emerge in each global region.

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1 Knowledge and understanding of the international human rights law system of the United Nations; LO2 Knowledge and understanding of the regional human rights systems of the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia; L03 Identify the key standards on racial discrimination, minority rights and indigenous peoples in the international and regional human rights systems; L04 Engage with the practice of international and regional human rights bodies in the areas of racial discrimination, minority rights and indigenous peoples, including recommendations, decisions and caselaw; L05 Explore key themes that arise in the international and regional protection of these group rights; L06 Consider new d

Total Workload: 0

Section Breakdown
CRN	20953	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	David Keane	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Extended Essay / Dissertation	The Assessment will be an essay of not more than 3500 words (including footnotes). You will be given a choice between two essay questions and asked to answer one.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Racial Discrimination, Minority Rights and Indigenous Peoples in International Law
The course examines international and regional human rights law from the perspective of racial discrimination, minority rights and indigenous peoples.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Javaid Rehman: 2010, International Human Rights Law: A Practical Approach, 2, Longman,
Patrick Thornberry: 0, The International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: A Commentary, 1, Oxford University Press,
James Anaya: 0, Indigenous Peoples in International Law, 2, Oxford University Press,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

The full reading list will be on the Loop site.