Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Human Rights News & Events

WCL Events


1. HUMAN RIGHTS HAPPY HOUR 
Wednesday, September 5, 5-6pm, 6th Floor Student Lounge
Join WCL students, faculty and friends for human rights, fair trade coffee, Argentine mate (the green caffeine), tea, sweets and Middle Eastern sweets and treats.  Get the scoop on all upcoming opportunities to get involved in human rights as students, staff and professors announce upcoming events at 5:30pm.  There will also be an informal discussion with those interested in Action for Human Rights and STAND: Student Taking Action Darfur.  For more information, please email, aparker@wcl.american.edu.      

2.  LAW STUDENTS FOR CHOICE INTRODUCTION MEETING
Thursday, September 6, 12-12:50pm, Rm. 602
Come learn about how to participate in Law Students For Choice, WCL’s Pro-Choice student organization.  You will meet the executive board , have a tasty lunch, and hear about our plans for the year.  Please contact Aurora, ah9037a@wcl.american.edu. 

3.  PUBLIC INTEREST STUDENT COALITION INTRODUCTORY MEETING
Thursday, September 6, 4-6pm, Rm. TBA
This first meeting will introduce the Public Interest Student Coalition and the initiatives planned for the semester. All students, first year through fourth year, are welcome to attend. We will briefly introduce the organization at both 4PM and 5PM for anyone who can't make the earlier time. The Public Interest Student Coalition (PISC) is a non-hierarchical student organization founded in 2006 that is dedicated to building and supporting a dynamic public interest community of students, alumni, and allies at the Washington College of Law. For more information, please email pisc@wcl.american.edu.

4. EUROPEAN LAW MOOT COURT COMPETITION INTRODUCTION
September 10, 12:30-1:20pm, Rm. 500
All WCL students are invited to join us during an informative session about the most important Moot Court Competition in European Union Law (ELMC).  The meeting will provide useful information about the competition and how you join.  This will be a terrific opportunity for you to improve your European Union Law skills and travel to Europe during the Spring Semester.  Pizza and sodas will be served.  For those interested in participating in the WCL team please register by sending an email before the meeting to berniber@hotmail.com. 

5. COME HEAR PROF. ANGELA DAVIS DISCUSS EXCITING CRIMINAL JUSTICE FELLOWSHIPS WITH THE OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE!
Monday, September 10, 5-6pm, Rm. 524
Please join Prof. Angela Davis on September 10th in Room 524 from 5-6 p.m., to hear about an exciting criminal justice fellowship opportunities with the Open Society Institute (Soros Fellowships). Each year, the U.S. Justice Fund of the Open Society Institute (OSI) awards a number of fellowships to individuals who wish to pursue innovative projects in the field of criminal justice. Prof. Davis will do a brief talk (15-20 minutes plus Q & A) describing the types of projects funded and the many advantages of becoming a Soros Fellow. Please RSVP to angelad@wcl.american.edu.

6.  WANT A TASTE OF HUMAN RIGHTS? JOIN US FOR "MUNCHING ON HUMAN RIGHTS" WITH CENTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HADAR HARRIS!
September 11, 2007, 12-1:20pm, Rm. 401
Interested in human rights but stuck studying civil procedure and torts? Munching on Human Rights is an introductory program designed to educate and engage students, especially 1Ls, about basic issues in international human rights and humanitarian law. Held once a month, Munching gives you a great opportunity to informally interact with WCL's internationally-known faculty and get a "taste" of international law. Please join us on September 11th for an introduction to human rights with Hadar Harris, Executive Director, Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, discussing What Do You Mean When You Say "Human Rights?"  All students are welcome. Lunch will be served!

7.  LAW STUDENTS FOR CHOICE WACDTF CLINIC ESCORT TRAINING
September 11, 2007, 5-7pm, Rm. 402
Law Students For Choice is hosting a Clinic Escort Training by the Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force.  Come learn how you can volunteer to keep DC area health clinics safe for all that use them.  Please contact Aurora, ah9037a@wcl.american.edu.


8.  WOMEN AND THE LAW PROGRAM: “WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU DON’T WANT TO LITIGATE?”
Wednesday, September 12, 12-12:50pm, Rm. 526
Join a discussion on transactional Lawyering and transactional pro- bono work lead by Professor Heather Hughes. This event will be an opportunity to discuss hopes and concerns about private practice in an informal setting.  The discussion will introduce students to what business or transactional attorneys do and how this type of practice differs from a litigation practice.  For more information, please email wilp@wcl.american.edu. 

WCL Announcements


1. THE HUMAN RIGHTS BRIEF IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR JUNIOR STAFF
The Human Rights Brief is seeking Articles Editors and Staff Writers.  Applications are now available outside the Human Rights Brief office (Room 630).  Applications will be due Wednesday, September 5 at 5:00 p.m.  A completed application will include a cover letter; a resume or CV; an editing exercise and author memo; and a writing exercise.  Please place completed application materials in an envelope and drop into the bin outside the Human Rights Brief office.  Please also sign up for an interview on the sheet posted on the door.  Pick up an application and visit www.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief/ for more details.  If you have questions, please contact Marisa R. Bassett and Angela Edman at chief_hrb@wcl.american.edu.  

Community Events & Announcements


1.  KAY SPIRITUAL LIFE CENTER TABLE TALK LUNCH SERIES: “RELIGION& POLITICS IN THE US: YOUNG EVANGELICALS IN NATIONAL POLITICS”, Wednesday, September 5, 12pm, Kay Spiritual Life Center
Come join a discussion on the Evangelical movement and the intersection of religion and politics. For additional information, please contact Christine Gettings at gettings@american.edu.

2.  NATIONAL LAW CENTER ON HOMELESSNESS & POVERTY FREE AUDIO TRAINING,
Friday, September 7, 2pm, The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, 1411 K Street NW, Suite 1400, Washington, DC 20005
 Learn about the potential use of the Base Closure Community Redevelopment and Homeless Assistance Act of 1994.  This federal statute gives homeless service providers the chance to occupy and use closed military property at no cost.  This training will provide information about negotiating legally binding agreements for base closure property.  For additional information and to register for the event, please visit http://www.nlchp.org/events.cfm.

3.  HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION ASSOCIATES ONLINE DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE: “ARMED CONFLICT, HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAW", September 17 to December 16, 2007
Come learn about the law of armed conflict, or international humanitarian law, as it is known.  There are limited places left and you must register by September 10.  The course critically examines the role of law in armed conflict and demonstrates how law can guide the conduct of hostilities, mitigate the consequences of the use of armed force, and protect civilians in both international and non-international armed conflicts. It puts the law of armed conflict in a political context, traces recent developments in this particular area of law, discusses the role of international criminal law, the convergence between human rights and humanitarian law, gender and law, and the protection of vulnerable groups such as children.  A more detailed course description, further logistical information, and application forms can be found at: http://www.hrea.org/courses/15E07.html.

4.  INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON GLOBALIZATION TEACH-IN: “CONFRONTING THE TRIPLE CRISIS,
September 14-16, 2007, Linser Auditorium, George Washington University
Come join an important teach-in on three important and interrelated issues: Climate Change, Peak Oil, and Global Resource Depletion and Extinction.  Over sixty experts will be speaking.  For tickets or information on the International Forum on Globalization, please contact 415-561-7650 or visit www.IFG.org. 

5.  THE CONSTITUTION PROJECT: CONSTITUTION DAY LECTURE AND PANEL
Monday, September 17 12-2pm, Law Library of Congress
The Constitution Project will co-sponsor an event with the Law Library of Congress for a celebration of Constitution Day.  Constitution Project President Virginia E. Sloan will prevent the inaugural Constitution Project Award for Constitutional Commentary to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charlie Savage for his new book, “Takeover: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy.”  “Takeover” examines the links between the NSA surveillance program, the politicization of the Justice Department, the debate over torture and the detention of "enemy combatants," presidential signing statements, and administration secrecy policies. Savage will present a short lecture on "National Security and the Rule of Law" and will then join a distinguished bipartisan panel in a discussion of the very timely constitutional issues addressed in his book.  For more information, please email cowens@consitutioinproject.org.   

6.  DIOCESE OF ARLINGTON’S COMMISSION FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE: “THE MANY FACES OF OUR HUMAN FAMILY: A CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE ON IMMIGRATION,” September 22, 8:30am-3pm, Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, 3305 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041
In light of recent immigration ordinances passed in Northern Virginia, as well as the ongoing national debate, this year's annual conference sponsored by the Peace and Justice Commission of the Diocese of Arlington will focus on the Church's stance on immigration.  This event will include workshops with local and national panelists.  Special guest Cardinal McCarrick of Washington will serve as the keynote speaker discussing, “What the Church Teaches”.  For more information, go to http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/offices/peacejustice/.

 

NOTE: If you would like to submit a human rights-related event or announcement to the Center’s listserv, please send an email to humlaw@wcl.american.edu.

To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Center’s listserv, please follow instructions at: http://roster.wcl.american.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=chrhlupdate&A=1.

The Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law compiles a newsletter at the start of each semester and distributes it to all students, faculty and staff as a resource for upcoming human rights events and opportunities at WCL. We hope you find it useful and look forward to seeing you at the many events that the Center and other offices and student groups have planned throughout the Fall. To access the Fall 2007 newsletter, please visit the following site: http://www.wcl.american.edu/humright/center/newsletter/fall07_newsletter.cfm

 

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