Human rights are at risk in all societies. Though various national, regional and international human rights instruments have been developed to protect the human rights of all people, some of these are more effective than others in particular situations. In the European and International Human Rights Law Advanced Master programme, you will compare the functionality of different protection mechanisms that are currently in place. To this end you will not just study 'the law in the books', but also 'the law in action'. You will also learn how the promotion of human rights may require different strategies in different political, social and cultural settings. You will also experience this during the study trip to Strasbourg and/or Geneva.

• Expert instructors: In addition to learning from the expertise of our academic staff, you will participate in lectures, masterclasses and workshops given by renowned human rights experts working for the UN, the EU, NGOs or other organisations.
• Life-changing work: You will learn how to develop your own voice to speak for people in the world who may have otherwise been silenced. You will become an effective advocate for promoting the basic rights and fundamental freedoms that are inherent to all human beings.
• Excellent reputation: Leiden Law School has an excellent reputation in human rights research and education.

Our graduates have gone on to careers with:

• the Registry of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg
• the European Commission in Brussels and other institutions and agencies of the European Union
• the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva
• various field offices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
• the International Committee of the Red Cross
• national and international NGOs
• the civil service in their home countries
• law firms
• offices within (multinational) corporations dealing with corporate social responsibility.