ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF LAW

2nd Semester, School Year 2018-2019

SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW: INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW,

INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL MECHANISMS

Lecturer : Atty. Cristina Regina Bonoan, LlB, MIA

Email : cnb2110@columbia.edu

Class Hours : Tuesdays 5:30pm – 8:30pm

12 meetings

General Information

Course Overview: The purpose of this course is to provide a brief review of Public International Law and an
Introduction to International Human Rights Law. It seeks to examine its emergence in historical context and
the continuing development of international human rights law, institutions and mechanisms. The course also
aims to provide an overview of current and emerging human rights issues, particularly in the Philippine
setting. Students will investigate international human rights standards and framework and how these can be
used to improve domestic protection for human rights.

In this course, the students will help shape the syllabus. While the professor has provided a framework and
readings for the initial meetings, the course will be designed around the students’ particular thematic
interests, be it women’s rights and access to reproductive health, economic rights including the intersection
of business and human rights, or freedom of expression and legislation on cybercrimes.

Classes will be a combination of lectures, recitation and discussion, and presentations on chosen topics.

Each student will be expected to present on a particular topic or human rights theme of interest (women’s
rights, indigenous people’s rights, children’s rights, right to health, education, right to food, environment).
The student will examine international human rights standards, treaties, and expert opinions and relate
them to circumstances, issues, and challenges at the domestic level. S/he will investigate local circumstances,
including factual accounts, reports, and statistics and identify possible strengths, weaknesses, threats, and
gaps in domestic law and policy. The student shall provide recommendations, including possible suggestions
on how to improve or draft legislation and policies.

Assignments and Grading:

Recitation: 30%
Midterm: 30%
Final Presentation: 40%

Course Materials:

Textbooks:
Bernas, Introduction to Public International Law
Rhona K.M. Smith, Textbook on International Human Rights, (6th edn, OUP 2014).
Supplementary Reading:
Dunoff, Ratner, Wippman, International Law Norms, Actors, Process: A Problem Oriented Approach
Akehurst's Modern Introduction to International Law

Relevant Treaties, Conventions and Laws

Complementary Readings will be assigned per session. New readings may be assigned for each session.
PART I

January 22: Session 1

Overview of Public International Law and Introduction to International Human Rights
Discuss and fill out syllabus, class flow, and reports

January 29: Session 2

Sources of International Law
 Bernas, Introduction to Public International Law, pp. 8-21
Cases:
 Yamashita v. Styer, L-129, 19 December 1945
 Kookooritchkin v. Solicitor General, Gr No. L-1812 , 27 August 1948
 Kuroda v. Jalandoni, GR No. L-2662, 26 March 1949
 Nicaragua v. United States, ICJ Reports, 20 February 1969
General Principles of International Law
 Salonga v. Executive Secretary, GR No. 176051, 11 February 2009.

The Law of Treaties

 Bernas, Introduction to Public International Law, pp. 22-56
Cases:
 Abaya v. Ebdane, GR No. 167919, 14 February 2017
 DBM v. Kolonwei Trading, GR No. 175608, 8 June 2007
 Suplico v. NEDA, GR No. 178830, 14 July 2008
 CNMEG v. Sta. Maria, GR No. 185572, 7 February 2012
 Commissioner of Customs v. Eastern Sea Trading, L-14279, 31 October 1961
 Bayan v. Zamora, GR No. 138570, 10 October 2000
 Lim v. Executive Secretary, GR No. 151445, 11 April 2002
 Pimentel v. Executive Secretary, GR No. 158088, 6 July 2005
 Akbayan v. Aquino, GR No. 170516, 16 July 2008
 Salonga, et al v. Smith, GR No. 176051, 11 February 2009
 Bayan Muna v. Executive Secretary, GR No. 159618, 1 February 2011

February 5: Session 3
Subjects/Actors of International Law
States
 Bernas, Introduction to Public International Law, pp. 71-85
International Organizations, Insurgents, National Liberation Movements, and Individuals
 Bernas, Introduction to Public International Law, pp. 87-101
Human Rights: Historical Context, Emergence and Development
 Smith, Textbook on Human Rights , Chapter 2: Historical Background (pp. 39-59)
The United Nations
 Smith, Textbook on Human Rights, Chapter 3: The United Nations (pp. 60-71)

February 12: Session 4

The International “Bill of Human Rights”
 Smith, Textbook on Human Rights, Chapter 4: The International Bill of Human Rights (pp. 72-87)
 http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/FactSheet2Rev.1en.pdf
 UDHR - http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/
ICCPR - https://treaties.un.org/doc/publication/unts/volume%20999/volume-999-i-14668-
english.pdf
 ICESCR - http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CESCR.aspx

 Finalize syllabus and presentation assignments

February 19: Session 5
The United Nations Organizational Structure: Institutions for the Protection of Human Rights (Courts,
Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures, Rapporteurs)
 Textbook on Human Rights (Smith), Chapter 5: The United Nations—Organizational Structure (pp.
88-121)
Monitoring, Implementation, and Enforcement Mechanisms
 Textbook on Human Rights (Smith), Chapter 10: The United Nations—Organizational Structure (pp.
193-219)
 International Criminal Court: The Rome Statute
http://legal.un.org/icc/statute/99_corr/cstatute.htm
 Philippine situation and the ICC
o http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/02/17/philippines-risks-icc-intervention-if-it-snubs-
human-rights-recommendations

o https://www.facebook.com/InternationalCriminalCourt/videos/765758766953170/

o
o https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/167908-rodrigo-duterte-international-
criminal-court-case-challenges

o https://www.icc-cpi.int/pages/pe.aspx
o https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/153387-duterte-pet-peeve-icc

o https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/150285-international-criminal-court-trial-
duterte-killings
o https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/167894-12-considerations-duterte-icc
o https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/167908-rodrigo-duterte-international-
criminal-court-case-challenges
o https://www.facebook.com/ruben.carranza.14/posts/10155548789294671
o https://www.rappler.com/nation/195492-icc-the-hague-netherlands-duterte-drug-war-
killings
o https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/08/world/asia/philippines-duterte-
hague.html?smid=tw-nytimesworld&smtyp=cur
o http://www.amnesty.org.ph/news/icc-investigation-into-drug-killings-a-crucial-moment-
for-justice/
Regional Mechanisms
 Textbook on Human Rights (Smith), Chapter 6: Regional Protection of Human Rights (pp. 122-132)
ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
 http://www.asean.org/storage/images/ASEAN_RTK_2014/6_AHRD_Booklet.pdf
 ASEAN Human Rights Declaration: A Step Forward or a Slide Backwards?
http://theconversation.com/asean-human-rights-declaration-a-step-forward-or-a-slide-backwards-
10895
 ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights –
 http://aichr.org/about/

February 26: Session 6

MIDTERMS
Groupwork on Remedies

PART II

March 5: Session 7
Right to Life: Death Penalty and Extrajudicial Killings
 ICCPR Second Optional Protocol
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/2ndOPCCPR.aspx
 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Philippines’ Bill to Re-introduce the Death Penalty
 http://globalnation.inquirer.net/150445/un-ph-will-violate-intl-pact-restores-death-
penalty (see letter of UNHCHR Commissioner Zeid)
Extrajudicial, Summary, and Arbitrary Executions -
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Executions/Pages/InternationalStandards.aspx
 Definition: The OHCHR defines extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions as the “deprivation of
life without full judicial and legal process, and with the involvement, complicity, tolerance or
acquiescence of the Government or its agents.” In 1980 the Sixth United Nations Congress on the
Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders condemned "the practice of killing and executing
political opponents or suspected offenders carried out by armed forces, law enforcement or other
governmental agencies or by paramilitary or political groups" acting with the support, tacit or otherwise,
of official forces or agencies.”
 Fact Sheet on Extrajudicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions
http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/FactSheet11rev.1en.pdf
 Report of the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary Or Arbitrary Executions: Mission to the
Philippines, Philip Alston (2008) http://www.hr-dp.org/contents/986
 Administrative Order 35 (2012) http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/11/22/administrative-
order-no-35-s-2012/

March 12: Session 8

Women’s Rights
 Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm
 Philippine Reports to CEDAW http://www.pcw.gov.ph/international-
commitments/cedaw/philippine-participation
 Republic Act 9710 Magna Carta of Women
http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9710_2009.html
 RA 9262 Anti-Violence Against Women and Children
http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2004/ra_9262_2004.html
 Senate Bill 1326 on Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act (proposed anti-catcalling bill)
https://www.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=17&q=SBN-1326

March 19: Session 9

Children’s Rights
 http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx
 Republic Act 9231 Act for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor
http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/Philippines/RA%209231%20-
Elimination%20of%20Worst%20Forms%20of%20Child%20Labor.pdf
 Republic Act 9208 Anti-Trafficking in Person’s Act
http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/Philippines/RA%209208%20-%20Anti-Trafficking%20Law.pdf
 Republic Act 9344 Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act
http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2006/ra_9344_2006.html
 Proposals to amend and lower the age of criminal responsibility
http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB00002.pdf

March 26: Session 10

April 2: Session 11
April 15: Session 12

OTHER POSSIBLE TOPICS:

 Freedom of Expression
 Right to be Free from Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment
 Social and Economic Rights
 Labor Rights
 Indigenous People’s Rights
 Rights of Refugees and Internally Displaced People
 Right to Health
 Religious Freedom