Course Description

THE RATIONALE

Respect for human rights lies at the heart of good governance. In a democratic society, it is the responsibility of the State to protect and promote human rights. All State institutions whether they are the police department, the army, the judiciary or civil administration have a duty to respect human rights, prevent human rights violations, and take active steps for the promotion of human rights.

The role of the police is especially significant in this respect. The police is charged with the responsibility of maintaining order and enforcing laws. Therefore, the onus of bringing those who break the law, including laws which protect peoples human rights before the criminal justice system lies on the police.

While police officers must know the limits and nature of their authority, citizens too, must know their rights, even when they have to answer to the law. A proper balance of individual rights and public interest has to be achieved through the mechanism of the rule of law. This is the essence of human rights law and the avowed purpose of this training.

THE COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this training, participants will be able to learn:

• Understanding of the complex role of police in society
• How the role of policing interacts with both the protection and abuse of human rights
• Be familiar with debates around the police function in society and Police culture
• Police powers and accountability
• Examine the concept of human rights and apply human rights norms to policing
• Outline the different human rights norms and mechanisms which are part of international and domestic law
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the human rights mechanisms provided by the United Nations and other Conventions on Human Rights systems;
• Critique a range of discrete contemporary human rights issues within a legal framework
• Appraise the efficacy of human rights law across several jurisdictions through focusing on pertinent case-law
• Assess the role and future of human rights in the international legal landscape and utilise this learning to embed human rights principles and to encourage continued development of human rights initiatives

THE COURSE OUTLINE

The course will cover the following:

MODULE 1:  INTRODUCTION

• Course Expectations and Team Building
• Policing in a Democratic Society I – Democratic and Rule of Law Principles
• Policing in a democratic society II – The Role of Law Enforcement
• Surveillance and Privacy
• Rights, Public Order, and Protest

MODULE 2: HUMAN RIGHTS

• What are Human Rights?
• Non-discrimination as a basic element of human rights
• Principles of non-discrimination: Women in society
• Rights and Victims of Crime
• Human Rights and Stop, Search and Entry
• Human Rights and Arrest and Detention

MODULE 3: INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FRAMEWORKS

• International Law Basics
• The Basic Sources of International Human Rights Law
• The European Convention on Human Rights
• The right to life
• The Prohibition of Torture and ill Treatment

MODULE 4: SECURITY & VIOLENCE

• The Right to Liberty and Security of a Person
• Pre-trial police behaviour and potential violations of human rights
• Domestic Violence
• Hate Crime and Policing
• Rights and the Use of Force
• Rights and Vulnerable Witnesses and Suspects

MODULE 5: MORE RIGHTS

• The Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion
• The Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression
• The Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association
• Freedom of Movement

TARGET AUDIENCE

Police Officers & other law enforcement officers, Solicitors, Paralegals, Legal Executive, Secretaries  & Personal Assistants

Delivery Method: Combines lectures, discussions, group exercises and illustrations

Venue: Online Class

Fee:

Duration: 1 week

Course Date: Feb 6th -10th 2023