Paper III-B Optional

Human Rights Law

UDHR, ICCPR and ICESCR, the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and the NHRC, Articles 21–22, public-interest litigation, and leading cases on dignity, custody, legal aid and gender justice.

Study aid only. Confirm statute numbers with the current bare Act and the official OU LL.B. (3-YDC) 2024–25 syllabus PDF.

Unit I: International Bill of Rights

UDHR and the idea of human rights 2 cases ICCPR, ICESCR and India's obligations 2 cases

Unit II: Protection of Human Rights Act and the NHRC

Definitions, constitution and functions of the NHRC 2 cases Inquiries, State Commissions and relationship with courts 2 cases

Unit III: Articles 21 and 22

Expanded Article 21: procedure, dignity and livelihood 3 cases Article 22: arrest, detention and preventive detention 2 cases

Unit IV: Public-interest litigation and judicial enforcement

PIL, locus standi and continuing mandamus 2 cases Gender justice as a human right 2 cases

Unit V: Custody, legal aid and fair trial

Custodial violence and public-law compensation 2 cases Undertrials, legal aid and conditions of detention 3 cases