Posted: September 16th, 2017

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is an international treaty which entered into force on 23 March 1976.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is an international treaty which entered into force on 23 March 1976.

A copy of this treaty is available here: http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/ccpr.aspx
The Human Rights Committee is a body of 18 independent experts that monitors implementation of the ICCPR by its State parties. All State parties are obliged to submit periodic reports to the Committee detailing how Convention rights are being implemented. State parties commonly report to the Committee in regular intervals (roughly every four years). The Committee examines States’ reports and summarises any concerns or recommendations it may have in the form of Concluding Observations upon further consultation with a reporting State. Further information about the Human Rights Committee, as well as publications pertaining to its work and remit, can be found here: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CCPR/Pages/CCPRIndex.aspx.
The United States of America last submitted a periodic report in May 2012 (See Report.PDF) The Human Rights Committee published its Concluding Observations relating to this report in May 2014. (See Observations.PDF)

You are to select ONE of the following two options: (1200 words total)
Option 1: The Death Penalty
1.    Concisely summarise the content of the right to life particularly as it relates to the death penalty and as arising in the context of international treaty law (both universal and regional). 600 words
2.    Relying on the United States’ 2012 report to the Human Rights Committee, the Committee’s 2014 Concluding Observations, and the research you conducted in response to Question 1 evaluate succinctly the extent of the United States’ compliance with its ICCPR treaty obligations as relating to the right to life in the context of capital punishment. 600 words
Rely on additional sources, both primary and secondary, as necessary to support your statements.
Option 2: Torture or Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
1.    Concisely summarise the content of the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment particularly as it relates to persons deprived of their liberty and as arising in the context of international treaty law (both universal and regional). 600 words
2.    Relying on the United States’ 2012 report to the Human Rights Committee, the Committee’s 2014 Concluding Observations, and the research you conducted in response to Question 1 evaluate succinctly the extent of the United States’ compliance with its ICCPR treaty obligations as relating to the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the context of deprivation of liberty. 600 words
Rely on additional sources, both primary and secondary, as necessary to support your statements.