On 11 June 2024, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), in collaboration with the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) and the Higher School of Judges (HSJ) under the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, launched an international human rights law course for law students seeking to become judges. The course forms part of the regular curriculum for future judges as part of the Masters of Law (LL.M.) program at the HSJ.
The Human Rights Course comprises 16 modules addressing various human rights thematic areas and categories of rights holders. Among these rights are the right to liberty, freedom from torture, the right to a fair trial and economic, social and cultural rights. The modules also address the rights of persons with disabilities, women, and children.
Developed by the ICJ, these modules are designed to provide in-depth information and are applied with a teaching methodology tailored for seminar classes of the LL.M. course for future judges. Each module, in addressing the primary human rights standards through authentic texts of treaties and essential international legal instruments, also takes account of interpretive jurisprudence, including by the jurisprudence of UN Treaty Bodies. This approach ensures that the course content is both authoritative and relevant to current international law and standards.
The seminar methodology is structured to guide each 80-minute session through an interactive learning experience, enabling participants to engage deeply with the material and apply their knowledge in practical scenarios.
The course aims to foster a deeper understanding of international human rights principles among the judiciary, promoting a more consistent and informed application of these standards in domestic court rulings. By equipping future judges with the necessary knowledge and tools, the initiative seeks to enhance the protection of human rights within Uzbekistan’s legal system.
The launch of the human rights course has received support from the HSJ administration and students, emphasizing the importance of integrating international human rights law into domestic judicial training.