International Law & Human Rights – Lecture Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering international law sources, institutions, human-rights concepts, key historical documents, and distinctions between human, legal rights and duties.

International Law

A body of rules, agreements, and treaties that are binding on states and other international actors.

Treaty

A formal written agreement between two or more states that is legally binding under international law.

Custom (International Law)

A practice consistently followed by states from a sense of legal obligation, forming a source of international law when no treaty exists.

General Principles of Law

Fundamental legal ideas accepted by civilized nations (e.g., good faith, equity) that fill gaps in international law.

Judicial Decisions & Scholarly Writings

Subsidiary sources used by courts to clarify or develop international legal rules.

Domestic Law (Municipal Law)

The statutes, regulations, and case law that operate within a single country’s legal system.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The principal UN judicial organ that settles legal disputes between states.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

A permanent tribunal that prosecutes individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

United Nations (UN)

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, cooperation, and human rights.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

An intergovernmental body that regulates global trade and resolves trade disputes.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

An institution that promotes global financial stability and offers monetary cooperation and loans.

World Bank

A global development institution that provides loans and grants for projects in developing countries.

Human Rights

Basic freedoms and protections inherent to every person by virtue of being human.

Universal (Human Rights Characteristic)

Applies to everyone, everywhere, without exception.

Inalienable

Cannot be taken away or surrendered.

Indivisible & Interdependent

All rights are of equal importance; the denial of one affects the enjoyment of others.

Individual Human Rights

Rights held by each person to protect personal dignity and autonomy, such as freedom of speech.

Collective Human Rights

Rights held by groups to safeguard identity, culture, and communal interests, e.g., self-determination.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

1966 treaty emphasizing individual freedoms like speech, religion, and fair trial.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

1966 treaty recognizing rights to work, education, health, and collective development.

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)

2007 UN instrument detailing indigenous peoples’ rights to land, culture, and self-governance.

African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights

Regional treaty protecting both individual and collective rights in Africa.

Right to Self-Determination

Collective right of peoples to choose their political status and pursue development.

Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Protections for indigenous groups’ land, language, culture, and governance.

Right to Development

Collective entitlement to participate in and benefit from sustainable economic and social progress.

Right to Cultural Preservation

Collective right to maintain and promote unique traditions, languages, and practices.

Environmental Rights

Collective right to live in a healthy, sustainable environment linked to resource use and land.

Magna Carta (1215)

English charter limiting royal power and affirming that everyone, including the king, is subject to law.

Rule of Law

Principle that all persons and authorities, including the government, are accountable to the law.

Due Process

Legal requirement that the state respect all legal rights owed to a person; protection against arbitrary detention.

Habeas Corpus

Legal action demanding a jailed person be brought before a court to assess the legality of detention.

English Bill of Rights (1689)

Act of Parliament that further limited the monarchy and reinforced rights such as free elections and fair trials.

American Declaration of Independence (1776)

Document proclaiming the 13 colonies’ independence from Britain and outlining natural rights.

Natural Rights

Inherent rights—life, liberty, pursuit of happiness—held by all individuals.

Government by Consent

Idea that legitimate authority derives from the governed rather than divine right.

Right to Revolution

Principle that people may overthrow a government that violates fundamental rights.

United Nations Charter (1945)

Founding treaty of the UN establishing purposes and principles for international peace and cooperation.

Dr. Herbert Vere Evatt

Australian diplomat who led the delegation at the 1945 UN founding conference and signed the Charter.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

1948 UN General Assembly resolution setting a global standard for fundamental human rights.

Legal Right

A right created, protected, and enforceable under a specific legal system.

Legal Duty

An obligation imposed by law whose breach attracts legal sanction.

Statement of Aspiration (UDHR)

Preamble reaffirming faith in dignity, equality, and fundamental rights of all humans.

Right to Life (Article 3 UDHR)

Fundamental human right to be alive and secure from arbitrary deprivation.

Freedom from Torture and Slavery

UDHR protection prohibiting torture, cruel treatment, and enslavement of individuals.

Equality before the Law

UDHR assurance that everyone is entitled to equal legal protection and fair justice.

Freedom of Thought, Religion, Expression, and Assembly

Cluster of UDHR civil liberties allowing belief, speech, and peaceful gathering.

Right to Work and Education

Economic and social rights in the UDHR guaranteeing employment opportunities and access to schooling.