Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

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

 

WCL Events


1. CREATING AND PROTECTING FAMILIES: CHALLENGES AND FRESH PERSPECTIVES,
Wednesday, January 30th, 12:00-1:00, Rm. 601
Interested in practicing family law? Want to know how the law treats families that are not made up of a mom, dad, 2.5 children, and a dog? Please join the Women and the Law Program and the Lambda Law Society for "Creating and Protecting Families: Challenges and Fresh Perspectives." This event will feature WCL Professor Nancy Polikoff, in addition to Michele Zavos, private practitioner with Zavos Law Group and Erin Leveton, senior managing attorney at Whitman-Walker legal services. Professor Polikoff will discuss her book Beyond (Straight and Gay) Marriage: Valuing All Families under the Law, which questions the privileged legal position of marriage, and suggests changes to value all families. The book discusses issues such as inheritance, tax consequences, social security, adoption and health care. Attorneys Zavos and Leveton will discuss the challenges they face serving LGBT families and the unique challenges presented by the intersection of sexuality, poverty, and illness. All three will be available for questions about family law and advice for those interested in practicing family law. Lunch will be served! For more information please contact the Women and the Law Program at wilp@wcl.american.edu.

2. THE RIGHT TO DIE WITH DIGNITY: AN ARGUMENT IN ETHICS AND LAW,
Wednesday, January 30, 12:00 - 2:00pm, Rm. 603
This program will focus on ethical and legal considerations involving end of life issues, including: family member’s right’s, importance of power of attorney, living wills, euthanasia, forced feeding, medical decision-making, legislative and court interventions and assisted suicide. The keynote speaker will be Raphael Cohen-Almagor, professor and chair in politics, The University of Hull, England; and fellow at The Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, Washington, DC. Sponsored by the Health Law Project, LL.M. Program on Law and Government, and the Health Law and Justice Initiative. To register for this event please visit, wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm or for more information email secle@wcl.american.edu.

3. ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS HAPPY HOUR,
Wednesday, January 30th, 5:00 - 6:00pm, 6th Floor Student Lounge
Join students and faculty to discuss current human rights issues. Learn about upcoming human rights events and ways to get involved at WCL and beyond. Enjoy Middle Eastern food, fair trade coffee, and tea. For more information contact Karen McCarthy at (914) 714-4150 or email her at kamcca@gmail.com.

4. TERRORISTS AND DETAINEES: DO WE NEED A NEW NATIONAL SECURITY COURT?
Friday, Febuary 1st, 10:00am - 4:00pm, Rm. 603
In the wake of the 9/11 attacks and the capture of hundreds of suspected al Qaeda and Taliban fighters, we have been engaged in a national debate as to the proper standards and procedures for detaining "enemy combatants" and prosecuting them for war crimes. Dissatisfaction with the procedures established at Guantanamo for detention decisions and trials of detainees for war crimes by military commissions, and concerns about the feasibility of conducting major terrorism trials in regular Article III courts, have led to proposals to establish a special National Security Court. This new court, which would have greater flexibility to conduct non-public proceedings than do the regular federal courts, could make or review status and detention decisions and/or conduct trials of suspected terrorists. The conference will discuss the pros and cons of establishing such a new federal court, and what jurisdiction should be assigned thereto. The event is sponsored by the Program on Law and Government and The Brookings Institution. To register visit http://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm.  For more information contact the Office of Special Events & Continuing Legal Education at (202) 274-4075 or email secle@wcl.american.edu

5. THE ROLE OF LAWYERS IN PROMOTING JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE IN PAKISTAN,
Wesnesday, February 6th, 12:00pm – 1:20pm, 6th Floor Student Lounge
Join us for a fascinating discussion with SJD candidate and Professor Nadeem Azam, Director of the Human Rights Centre at the University of Peshawar (UP), as he discusses the current state of affairs in Pakistan and the role of the lawyer in the fight for the independence of the judiciary in Pakistan. Professor Azam is pursuing his SJD at WCL as part of an ongoing collaborative project between the WCL Center for Human Rights and the UP Human Rights Centre and Gender Studies Department, the only two of their kind in all of Pakistan. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome! Lunch will be served. For additional information, please contact the Center for Human Rights at humlaw@wcl.american.edu or by calling 202-274-4180.

Community Events

 

1. HOW NAFTA, MIGRATION, AND GOVERNMENT POLICY AFFECT MEXICOS POOR,
Wednesday, January 30, 9:00-11:00am, Inter-American Dialogue, 1211 Connecticut Avenue Suite 510, NW, Washington, DC
The Woodrow Wilson Center's Mexico Institute, the George Washington University, and the Inter-American Dialogue will be hosting a breakfast discussion on poverty and inequality in Mexico. The discussion will give particular attention to the impact of NAFTA, migration, and Mexican government policies on the extent and nature of poverty in the country. Please RSVP by emailing meetings@thedialogue.org.

2. BROWN BAG LUNCH - ANOTHER LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRY MOVING TO THE LEFT?
Wednesday, January 30th 12:30-1:30pm, Kay Center Lounge, American University
El Salvador is one of the few countries in Latin American with a right-wing government. Elections are scheduled for March 2009 and the left-wing presidential candidate is favored in all the polls. As elections approach human rights violation are increasing. Protesters for water rights have been charged with terrorism and the military is being used against social protest for the first time in the 16 years since the Peace Accords were signed. The present electoral system does not guarantee “free and fair” elections and therefore it is important to closely monitor the election process. For more information please contact Claudia at (240) 604-1062 or Sister Anne Marie Gardiner at (301) 593-3601.

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

 

1.UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE INTERNSHIP/EXTERNSHIP
The Ecuadorian Ambassador to the United States, Luis Gallegos, is a member of the United Nations Committee against Torture. He is seeking an intern/extern to assist him in preparing for the 40th Session of the Committee against Torture, which will be held late April/May. The intern will be responsible for legal research and writing regarding compliance with the Convention against Torture for the State Parties scheduled to appear before the Committee in April/May (Indonesia, Iceland, Zambia, Sweden, Algeria, Costa Rica, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). The internship/externship begins immediately. If you are interested, please send a cover letter and resume immediately to Jennifer de Laurentiis, Special Assistant to the Dean, at jdelaurentiis@wcl.american.edu, with “Ambassador Gallegos Internship/Externship” in the subject line.

2. FAIR ELECTION LEGAL NETWORK INTERNSHIP - Apply today!
Seeking reliable, entrepreneurial law student interested in election law to work for the Fair Elections Legal Network (FELN), a nonpartisan network of experienced election lawyers and litigators who work to increase voter participation among traditionally under participating constituencies. Responsibilities include supporting the legal director to identify legal and administrative obstacles impacting voter participation, performing related legal research, identifying pending relevant legal, rulemaking or legislative proceedings, interacting with key voter mobilization and registration organizations and key election officials. Additional responsibilities will include activities associated with ongoing recruitment of experienced election lawyers, and other duties as assigned. Great opportunity for exposure to substantive election law for someone who is a self-starter and comfortable handling significant responsibility. Must possess strong research, analytic, written and oral communications skills and be able meet deadlines.15 hours/week. Stipend: $225/week. Please send cover letter and resume to kneuman@fairelectionsnetwork.com.

3. TRAVEL TO GENEVA WITH THE DEAN! JOIN THE UN CAT PROJECT - Apply Today!
Applications are now being accepted for WCL’s United Nations Committee against Torture (UN CAT) Project. Dean Grossman, UN CAT Vice Chair, is seeking approximately six WCL J.D. students to assist in preparations for the Committee’s 41st session this November. The Project includes a for-credit seminar on the prohibition of torture, co-taught by Dean Grossman and Project Coordinator Jennifer de Laurentiis, as well as a field component: attending the 41st session in Geneva for one week in November. The session’s agenda currently includes China Macao and Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Serbia, Montenegro, Belgium and Israel. Interested WCL students should submit a one-page cover letter and resume by Monday, February 11, 2008, via email to jdelaurentiis@wcl.american.edu, referencing “UN CAT Application” in the subject line. Applications should address experience in international human rights law. Decisions will be made by late March 2008 and applicants will be notified via email. For more information about the Project, visit www.wcl.american.edu/ilp/uncat.

4. HELTON FELLOWSHIP PROVIDES SUMMER FUNDING FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS WORK,
***Deadline to apply is February 15, 2008***
Funded in part by contributions from ASIL members, Helton Fellowships provide financial assistance in the form of “micro-grants” for law students and young professionals to pursue field work and research on significant issues involving international law, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and related areas.  Helton Fellowship micro-grants are intended to ensure that these individuals have access to modest amounts of funding that can often stand between them and their first professional opportunities to become effective practitioners, experts, and scholars of international law. Fellows will undertake their project in association with an established educational institution, international organization, or non-governmental organization working in areas related to international law, human rights, and humanitarian affairs. ASIL does not assist in securing organizational sponsoring for Fellows. Deadline to apply is February 15, 2008. For more information, go to: http://www.asil.org/aboutasil/heltonindex.html.

5. ABA JOHN J. CURTIN, JR. JUSTICE FUND 2008 SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Curtin Justice Fund Legal Internship Program is seeking motivated law student interns to apply for stipends available for the Summer 2008 Program. The applicants should have a position offered, contingent on funding, from a qualified organization. The program will pay $2,500 stipend to 3 law students who spend the summer months working for a bar association or legal services program designed to prevent homelessness or assist homeless or indigent clients or their advocates. All law students are eligible. Applications must be postmarked by March 24, 2008. Applications requirements and additional information available at: http://www.abanet.org/homeless/curtin_application.html. Please contact the ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty at (202) 662-1694 or via email at homeless@abanet.org with any questions.

6. EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS ANNOUNCES 6 AMERICORPS ATTORNEY POSITIONS
Recruitment for the 2007-08 Pro Bono Legal Corps (PBLC) is now underway. The PBLC is an Equal Justice AmeriCorps-funded program that places law school graduates at nonprofit and legal aid organizations to develop quality pro bono opportunities that expand legal resources in low-income and underserved communities. AmeriCorps Attorneys serve up to two 11-month terms, starting in August 2008. Positions are located at sites in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Boston, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Helena, and other cities around the country. The Pro Bono Legal Corps is an excellent first step to building a career in public interest law. More information about these positions is available at www.equaljusticeworks.org/programs/pblc/apply.

7. INNOCENCE PROJECT SEEKS SPRING INTERN - Apply Today!
The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project is a small non-profit organization that is dedicated to preventing and correcting wrongful convictions. Our primary focus is investigating and litigating the claims of prisoners who we believe have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. We are seeking a legal intern for the winter/spring semester who can commit 10 to 15 hours per week. The duties of the intern will include: (1) completing initial evaluation of questionnaires and appellate briefs that have been sent by prisoners seeking our help; (2) screening cases that meet our basic criteria, which may include reading trial transcripts, interviewing defendants, and conducting preliminary investigation; and (3) attempting to locate physical evidence in cases where prisoners hope to obtain post-conviction DNA testing. The ideal candidate is an organized, clear writer who is passionate about criminal justice issues and is capable of working in a self-directed manner. Ability to read Spanish is a plus but is not required. Please email a resume, cover letter, short writing sample, and three references to Shawn Armbrust, Executive Director, at innocenceproject@wcl.american.edu. Applicants with questions can email Ms. Armbrust or call at (202) 274-4199.

8. TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION LEGAL INTERNSHIPS
The in-house Legal Department of the Transport Workers Union, Local 100, welcomes applications from 2L/3L law students for the Summer of 2008. Candidates should possess a strong interest in social justice and worker advocacy. Legal Interns will assist with disciplinary and contract arbitrations, participate in client interviews, advocacy, accompany attorneys to administrative hearings and court, and perform legal research. TWU Local represents over 35,000 workers in the New York City transportation system. The Transport Workers Union of America was founded in 1934 as an industrial union dedicated to the promise that an organization built on trust and equality for all workers cannot be denied. TWU is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the worldwide International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). We are a trade union representing workers in municipal Mass Transportation. Our motto is "United-Invincible." Students of color with interest in labor law are particularly encouraged to apply. Academic credit may be arranged. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until March 1, 2008. Please send a resume and letter of interest to: Retu Singla, Staff Attorney, TWU Local 100, 80 West End Avenue, New York, New York 10023, fax no. (212) 362-4305 or via email rsingla@twulocal100.org.

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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.

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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 Spring 2008 newsletter, please visit the following site: http://www.wcl.american.edu/humright/center/newsletter/spring08_newsletter.cfm

 

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