.........Chapter 1 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW AND THE ROLE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS: A GENERAL INTRODUCTION ................... Learning Objectives l l To ensure that participants acquire a basic working knowledge of the origin, purpose and scope of international human rights law; To familiarize participants with the application of international human rights law at the domestic level and to begin to make them aware of the important role played by the legal professions in this respect. Questions l l l l l l Why did you want to join the course? What is a human right? Why are human rights important in general? Why are human rights important in the country where you are professionally active? How do you, as judges, prosecutors and/or lawyers, see your role as promoters and protectors of human rights in the exercise of your professional duties? What specific problems, if any, do you face with regard to the protection of human rights in the country/countries where you work? Human Rights in the Administration of Justice: A Manual on Human Rights for Judges, Prosecutors and Lawyers 1