Research institutes

Maastricht Centre for Human Rights

The Maastricht Centre for Human Rights facilitates and supports research in the field of human rights at Maastricht University’s Faculty of Law. Research conducted at the centre is interdisciplinary, with a focus on public international law, criminal law, criminology and other relevant social sciences. The centre favours research themes that contribute to a better society within the context of the process of globalisation and that raise fundamental questions about human rights (as opposed to mere technicalities).

Fast facts

focus on public international law, criminal law, criminology, and social sciences
close attention to gender issues
established in 1993 by prof. Theo van Boven, former Director of UN Division for Human Rights, and prof. Cees Flinterman
all 25 members invest research capacity in human rights subjects, next to their teaching responsibilities
led by Prof. Fons Coomans

Research

The centre has two research programmes: Globalisation and Human Rights and Criminal Law and Criminology in an International Context. Research conducted within the centre takes a normative approach, reflecting an integrated view of economic, social and cultural rights on the one hand and civil and political rights on the other, with close attention being given to gender issues and rights of persons with disabilities.

Education

Members of the centre teach in three master’s programmes: Master's Degree in Globalisation and Law (Human Rights Specialisation), the European Master's Degree in Human Rights and Democratization in Venice and the Master’s Degree in Forensics, Criminology and Law. Students from both the bachelor’s and the master’s level are offered a position as student fellow, which enhance their research capabilities.

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Law Blogs Maastricht
Would you like to know more about our research? Visit Law Blogs Maastricht and find more information about the Faculty of Law's research output.

Blogs

The Strasbourg Court
24-04-2017byLawblogger in Law
The Strasbourg Court should change its approach to improve the effectiveness of justice systems in Europe.
Read moreinGeneral
Another brick in the wall? (Part 2)
20-03-2017byMatteo Bonelli in Law
This second post critically analyzes the decision of the Court, arguing that it is quite unconvincing from different perspectives.
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Another brick in the wall? (Part 1)
17-03-2017byMatteo Bonelli in Law
On March 7, 2017, the CJEU concluded that EU law does not oblige Member States to issue humanitarian visa to Syrian individuals and families seeking international protection. Despite the humanitarian disaster in Syria, safe legal routes to Europe remain a mirage.
Read moreinGeneral

The duty to accommodate beyond employment in the EU
13-03-2017by Broderick in Law
Following the conclusion (ratification) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the EU is bound by the Convention to the extent of its competences, including in the field of non-discrimination.
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Going Dutch: integration the hard way
14-02-2017by Pivaty in Law
Passing a Dutch integration exam is mandatory for most non-EU immigrants. This should be done within 3 years after their arrival, under the threat of a fine or non-extension of the residency permit. The exam fee is 350 EUR. The preparation course costs 4000-5000 EUR on average.
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News

Human Rights Beyond Borders: The Maastricht Principles Turn Five
Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Are human rights obligations breached by an intergovernmental organization or its governing States, when it tells a government to cut its public services? Can the obligations under the right to food be left completely to a State that is adversely affected by the climate impact of other countries?

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Utrecht Declaration on Academic Freedom
Tuesday, September 13, 2016

The General Assembly of the Assiociation of Human Rights Institutes has adopted a new statement on academic freedom during a meeting in Utrecht on Saturday.

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MCfHR

Theo van Boven

“At the moment our mentality is to look inwards, busy only with our own lives and our own wealth. That’s important, but not at the expense of others. I hope that we will open up to the world.”

Watch the full video on Theo van Boven

Fons Coomans

"What should be done by the international community to give effect to its international human rights obligations in the Ebola crisis?"

Read the whole article

Ingrid Westendorp

“It is a fallacy to suppose that gender equality already exists in the West or that it would be based on a Western tradition. It is also a mistake to think that cultures are so diverse that universal agreement about women's rights would be impossible to achieve.”

Theo van Boven lecture

Lecture, 1 December 2016
Each year, the Maastricht Centre for Human Rights organises a lecture to honour one of the centre's co-founders and former Director of the United Nations Division of Human Rights (1977-1982) Theo van Boven. This year's lecture will be combined with the conference (1-2 December 2016) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Limburg Principles. Prof. Philip Alston will deliver a keynote speech on 1st December '16.

More information and registration

The Subversives: Van Boven at the UN

Video: Trailer for The Subversives, a documentary about van Theo van Boven's time at the UN.

30 Years Limburg Principles and Migration

Conference, 1-2 December 2016
In June 1986 a group of distinguished experts in int. (human rights) law convened in Maastricht, to deliberate the nature and scope of state parties’ obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). This meeting resulted in the agreement and adoption of the so-called Limburg Principles. In light of the 30th anniversary of these, the Maastricht Centre for Human Rights is organising a conference in the area of ESC rights and migration.

More information and registration