The Right to Life: A Comprehensive Guide for LLM Students

Question 1

Which international treaty is widely recognised as the cornerstone of international human rights law and explicitly states that everyone has the right to life?

Accepted Answer

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Answer

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

Answer

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

Answer

American Convention on Human Rights

Question 2

Under what circumstances does the ICCPR allow states to restrict the right to life?

Accepted Answer

In times of war or public emergency that threaten the life of the nation

Answer

To prevent the spread of contagious diseases

Answer

To carry out executions of convicted criminals

Answer

To maintain national security

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a recognised exception to the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of life under international human rights law?

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia

Answer

Self-defence

Answer

Use of force to apprehend a dangerous criminal

Answer

Abortion

Question 4

What principle was established in the case of Soering v. United Kingdom regarding the extradition of individuals to countries where they may face execution?

Accepted Answer

Extradition to countries with the death penalty is permitted if there are assurances the death penalty will not be implemented.

Answer

Extradition to countries with the death penalty is always prohibited.

Answer

Extradition to countries with the death penalty is permitted only if the crime is particularly severe.

Answer

The decision to extradite to a country with the death penalty is left to the discretion of the extraditing state.

Question 5

Which term describes the intentional killing of a human being by another human being?

Accepted Answer

Homicide

Answer

Murder

Answer

Manslaughter

Answer

Assault

Question 6

What is the term used to describe the stage of pregnancy at which a foetus is considered viable outside the womb?

Accepted Answer

Fetal viability

Answer

Gestational age

Answer

Trimester

Answer

Quickening

Question 7

Evaluate the primary legal and ethical arguments supporting the death penalty, considering their potential conflicts with the right to life.

Accepted Answer

Deterrence, retribution, and incapacitation

Answer

Cost-effectiveness and fairness

Answer

Expression of cultural and religious values

Answer

Rehabilitation and mercy

Question 8

Which of the following treaties is considered the primary legal instrument for the international protection of the right to life?

Accepted Answer

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Answer

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Answer

The Convention on the Rights of the Child

Answer

The European Convention on Human Rights

Question 9

In the context of abortion, what is the 'viability criterion'?

Accepted Answer

The point at which a fetus is capable of surviving outside the womb

Answer

The point at which the mother's life or health is in grave danger

Answer

The point at which the fetus has a discernible heartbeat

Answer

The point at which the fetus has fully developed

Question 10

Regarding the right to life, what is the principle of 'due diligence'?

Accepted Answer

The obligation of states to take proactive measures to safeguard the right to life

Answer

The responsibility of individuals to respect the right to life of others

Answer

The principle that the right to life can be limited for valid reasons

Answer

The principle that the right to life is絶対 and cannot be infringed upon

Question 11

How does the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights differ from the European Convention on Human Rights regarding the right to life?

Accepted Answer

The ICCPR allows for capital punishment in certain circumstances, while the ECHR abolishes it

Answer

The ECHR interprets the right to life more broadly than the ICCPR

Answer

The ICCPR applies only to countries that have ratified it, unlike the ECHR

Answer

The ICCPR is a binding treaty, while the ECHR is not

Question 12

The case of Pretty v. United Kingdom was significant in its impact on the development of the right to life in the UK because it:

Accepted Answer

Expanded the scope of the right to life to encompass the right to die with dignity

Answer

Established the right to assisted dying

Answer

Clarified when law enforcement can use deadly force

Answer

Abolished the death penalty

Question 13

Which international treaty is widely considered the cornerstone of international human rights law and includes the right to life?

Accepted Answer

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Answer

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Answer

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Answer

European Convention on Human Rights

Question 14

According to the principle of 'double effect' as it relates to euthanasia, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Intentionally causing death is permissible if it is an unintended side effect of an otherwise morally good action.

Answer

Intentionally causing death is only permissible when the patient is terminally ill and in severe pain.

Answer

Intentionally causing death is never permissible under any circumstances.

Answer

The principle is not applicable to the right to life.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a generally recognized exception to the prohibition on abortion under international law?

Accepted Answer

For socio-economic reasons

Answer

To save the life of the pregnant person

Answer

In cases of rape or incest

Answer

When the fetus has a serious medical condition

Question 16

What is the significance of the 'margin of appreciation' doctrine in cases involving the right to life?

Accepted Answer

It allows states to determine the specific content and implementation of the right to life within their domestic legal systems, subject to international human rights standards.

Answer

It prohibits states from interfering with the exercise of the right to life.

Answer

It requires states to provide absolute protection for the right to life in all circumstances.

Answer

It is not applicable to the right to life.

Question 17

What is the distinction between 'direct' and 'indirect' violations of the right to life?

Accepted Answer

Direct violations involve intentional killing, while indirect violations involve negligent or reckless actions that cause death.

Answer

Indirect violations involve intentional killing, while direct violations involve negligent or reckless actions that cause death.

Answer

There is no distinction between direct and indirect violations.

Answer

The distinction is only applicable to cases involving the death penalty.

Question 18

How can the right to life be balanced with other important rights, such as the right to liberty and security?

Accepted Answer

By conducting a proportionality test to determine whether the infringement of one right is justified by the protection of another.

Answer

By prioritizing the right to life above all other rights

Answer

By excluding the right to life from any balancing of rights

Answer

By relying solely on precedent

Question 19

Under international law, what is the primary legal standard for determining the legality of the death penalty?

Accepted Answer

The death penalty must be applied only for the most serious crimes and in a non-discriminatory manner.

Answer

The death penalty is permissible in all cases where the crime is considered heinous.

Answer

The death penalty is prohibited under international law except in cases of war crimes.

Question 20

Which argument is NOT typically used to support the right to life of a fetus?

Accepted Answer

The fetus possesses the same rights as a born person from the moment of conception.

Answer

A fetus has the potential to become a person with all the rights of a human being.

Answer

The fetus is considered a living being with a right to life, even if it is not yet viable.

Question 21

Which factor is NOT typically considered when evaluating the legality of an abortion under international law?

Accepted Answer

The religious beliefs of the medical professionals performing the procedure.

Answer

The health and well-being of the pregnant woman.

Answer

The gestational age of the fetus.

Question 22

In the context of euthanasia, the right to life is often understood as the right to:

Accepted Answer

A dignified death, free from unnecessary suffering.

Answer

The right to choose the manner and time of one's death.

Answer

The right to be kept alive at all costs, regardless of quality of life.

Question 23

What is the primary difference between 'passive' and 'active' euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

Passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, while active euthanasia involves directly administering a lethal substance.

Answer

Passive euthanasia is legal in most countries, while active euthanasia is illegal.

Answer

Passive euthanasia involves the patient's consent, while active euthanasia does not.

Question 24

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that the right to life under Article 2 of the ECHR applies to:

Accepted Answer

All individuals within the jurisdiction of the ECHR, regardless of their legal status or nationality.

Answer

Only citizens of European Union member states.

Answer

Only individuals residing in European countries.