Satellite techniques and human rights

elective courses

Remote learning

The course is part of the segment devoted to international aviation, space and sea law.

It shows the relationship between existing space law and human rights standards.

The course is complementary to international space law classes. It shows the relationship between existing space law standards and international human rights law. The subject of the lecture is the presentation of issues related to the protection of human rights in the context of the use of satellite techniques. Both binding norms of international law (treaties) and the so-called soft international law are analysed. The chief objective of the lecture is to demonstrate the existence of a close relationship between the use of satellite techniques and compliance with human rights standards.

1. Existing satellite techniques.

2. Human rights applicable in the context of using satellite techniques:

a) the right to life;

b) the right to liberty and security of person;

c) right to property;

d) right to information;

e) right to good administration;

f) the right to protection of privacy and family life;

g) the right to protection against poverty;

h) protection against discrimination;

i) the right to an effective remedy.

3. The system of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

4. The system of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the system of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

5. The Charter of Fundamental Rights and other EU regulations applicable within the framework of the discussed topic.

6. Issues related to presenting evidence before human rights protection authorities.

During the course, students develop their skills to analyse and interpret texts of international agreements, case law and doctrinal sources, as well as describing factual circumstances using specialised terminology appropriate for the protection of human rights.

- Kulińska-Kępa Z., "Human rights (with particular regard to the right to privacy) and satellite navigation" (w:) K.Myszona-Kostrzewa "Legal and political aspects of the Use of European Satellite Navigation Systems Galileo and EGNOS" Warsaw 2018;

- Marboe I., Human Rights Consideration for Space Activities, in: In Heaven as on Earth? The Interaction of Public International Law on the Legal Regulation of Outer Space, S. Hobe, S. Freeland (eds.), Cologne 2013, p. 135-149.

- Harris D. J., O’Boyle M. &Warbick, Law of European Convention on Human Rights, Oxford 2014;

- von der Dunk F. G., Legal Aspect of Navigation. The Case for Privacy and Liability: An Introduction for Non-lawyers, Coordinates, May 2015, vol. 11, No. 5, p. 9.

- Renenger A., Satellite Tracking and the Right to Privacy, Hastings Law Journal 2001-2002, vol. 53,

- Konwencja o Ochronie Praw Człowieka i Podstawowych Wolności, Komentarz do artykułów 1-19 t. 1 - 2010, red. Leszek Garlicki, Warszawa wyd. BECK

- Konwencja o Ochronie Praw Człowieka i Podstawowych Wolności, Komentarz do artykułów 19-59 t.2 w - 2011,, red. Leszek Garlicki, Warszawa wyd. BECK

The student knows and understands the relationship between international human rights law and space law.

The student is able to indicate which standards of international human rights law are applicable in the process of protecting human rights in connection with the use of satellite techniques.

The student is able to indicate before which human rights bodies the proceedings related to the use of satellite techniques can be conducted.

The student knows how to assess concrete factual circumstances and to which particular systems of human rights protection one should refer for and which legal means one should use.

- attendance - confirmed by attendance lists;

- continuous assessment consisting checking students preparation for classes and willingness to undertake the activities during classes (in cases of absence - a possibility of passing an oral test or preparing a written essay – chosen by the person conducting the classes);

- for willing students, preparing project presentation on a subject chosen by the person conducting the classes.