The Course

The Post Graduate Diploma Course in Human Rights offered by the RLEK Human Rights Centre is recognised by H.N.B. Garhwal University, Uttarakhand. The course looks at Human Rights from a global perspective. It aims to be dynamic and innovative through the initiation of participatory processes between the students and the faculty. It provides a strong theoretical background on the developing debates, along with 'hands on' experience of issues being tackled by non-governmental organisations (NGO's) and other institutions.

The United Nations has declared 1995-2005 to be the Decade of Human Rights Education. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for people who are equipped academically and practically in the field of Human Rights. However, as of yet, few Universities have taken up Human Rights as a formal course.

This course will provide organisations and institutions with people who are dedicated and committed to protecting Human Rights and who are also technically qualified in the field. These professionals will not only ensure themselves jobs in their area of interest but will also contribute to promoting a Human Rights culture in the Asian Subcontinent.

The RLEK Post-Graduate Diploma Course in Human Rights is a full time, residential course of ten months. The first six months consist of lectures and classroom discussions, followed by field visits to the National Human Rights Commission, the National Commission for Women, the National Commission for Minorities and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. After this, participants will undergo a two-month placement with an NGO or other institution working in the field of human rights. This will provide each student with valuable practical experience in the application and working of human rights in society and allow them to put their knowledge into practice. On their return, students will have time to complete their dissertations, before sitting for examinations.

In addition to the permanent faculty, leading jurists, Supreme Court Judges, several former chairpersons of the NHRC and officials of the United Nations will deliver lectures on a regular basis.

This course is unique for two reasons; firstly, it is being conducted by an organisation that has worked directly with Human Rights issues and is therefore, able to offer a practical perspective. Secondly, by placing students with local and national NGOs the course allows them to participate first-hand in the defence of Human Rights.

A review committee composed of eminent personalities, with a vast amount of experience in the field of Human Rights, has been entrusted with the task of reviewing and updating the syllabus. Mr. Justice V.S. Malimath, Chairman of Committee on Reforms of Criminal Justice System also the Chairman of the Review Committee of the University Grants Commission for their syllabus on Human Rights, is the convener of this review committee.

Presently Chairman of Committee on Reforms of Criminal Justice System. The other members of the committee are Mr. Justice P. N. Bhagwati, Mr. Justice Ranganath Misra, and Dr. Faizan Mustafa.

The whole course will have six papers. Four papers will be compulsory and two will be optional.

The course comprises of six papers:

Compulsory Papers 

v     Human Right Theory

v     International Human Rights Law

v     Human Rights in India

v     Human Rights of Women and Children

Optional Papers

v     International Humanitarian and Refugee Law

v     Human Rights of Tribal/Indigenous Groups

v     Human Rights of Minorities

v     Regional Protection of Human Rights