Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

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

 

WCL Events


1. TOMORROW!!! THE ROLE OF LAWYERS IN PROMOTING JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE IN PAKISTAN
Wednesday, February 6th, 12:00pm - 1:20pm, Rm. 603
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! For additional information, please contact the Center for Human Rights at humlaw@wcl.american.edu or by calling 202-274-4180. A SOUTH ASIAN LUNCH will be served!

2. MOVING FROM THE PAST IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION: BLACK HISTORY MONTH OPENING CEREMONY
Wednesday, February 6, 5:00 - 7:00pm, Rm. 603
Distinguished panelists will discuss obstacles they may have encountered as minorities while attending law school, after graduating, and how they have persevered in the legal profession. In addition, the panelists will briefly discuss why working in either a government agency or a law firm is beneficial in the long run. The distinguished guests, from different areas of the legal profession offering students a wide variety of insight, will include: Honorable Gerald Bruce Lee, U.S. District, Eastern District of Virginia; Honorable Anna Blackburn Rigsby, DC Superior Court; Michele Roberts, Partner at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld; and Wendell L. Taylor, Partner, Hunton & Williams. For additional information, please contact the Office of Special Events & Continuing Legal Education by email at secle@wcl.american.edu or by calling (202) 274-4075 or register online at http://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm.

3. EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST SECTOR
Thursday, Feb. 7, 12:30pm - 4:30pm, Rm. TBA
A panel of upper-level students will share their summer experiences working in the public interest sector with the help of an Equal Justice Foundation grant, to be followed by a discussion with Washington College of Law faculty about courses, clinics, externships, and other opportunities to get involved with public interest work. The program will also include a valuable information session about ways to fund public interest work after graduation, including grants, fellowships and loan repayments. Sponsored by the Equal Justice Foundation. For additional information, please contact the Office of Special Events & Continuing Legal Education by email at secle@wcl.american.edu or by calling (202) 274-4075 or register online at http://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm.

4. THE ALICE PAUL FEMINIST JURISPRUDENCE ESSAY CONTEST AWARD RECEPTION
Monday, February 11, 4:00pm - 5:30pm, Rm. 600
Please join us for a presentation and celebration as we honor the 2007 Alice Paul Essay Contest winner Wendy Yang. Ms. Yang will present her work, “Is Recognizing the Monetary Value of Housework Sufficient in Achieving Gender Equality: Assessing Taiwan's §1003-1 and §1018-1's Potential Impact on Taiwan's Road Toward Gender Equality.” The Alice Paul Feminist Jurisprudence Essay Contest honors the feminist legacy of Washington College of Law’s founders and alumni. The contest is named for Alice Paul (Class of ’22), who authored the Equal Rights Amendment while still a WCL student. Sponsored by a private benefactor, the purpose of the competition is to foster the next generation of scholars and activists by creating a venue for them to showcase creative contributions to feminist jurisprudence. Sponsored by the Women and the Law and Legal Rhetoric Programs of American University Washington College of Law.For additional information, please contact the Office of Special Events & Continuing Legal Education by email at secle@wcl.american.edu or by calling (202) 274-4075 or register online at http://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm.

5. RETHINKING THE FUTURE: THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IN IRAQ
Monday - Tuesday, February 11-12, 9:00am - 5:00pm, Rm. 603
This two day symposium will tackle several of the key issues likely to face Iraq over the next five years. Topics of discussion include Partition, Transitional Justice, Displaced Persons, Islamic Law & the Constitution, Water Rights, and Direct Participation in Hostilities. Also scheduled is a screening of the documentary Meeting Resistance, a thrilling behind the scenes look into the lives and minds of the insurgency. A Q&A session with the film's Directors will follow the screening. Confirmed participants include Chief Investigatory Judge Raid Juhi of the Iraq High Tribunal, Tom Farer, Claudio Grossman, Michael Scharf, Roberta Cohen, Ann Mayer, Robert Goldman, and Paul Williams, as well as senior representatives from the Brookings Institution, UNHCR, UNAMI, USIP, PILPG, Department of Defense, and the International Red Cross. This event is sponsored by the American University International Law Review and the Public International Law & Policy Group. There is no charge, however registration is required. For additional information, please contact the Office of Special Events & Continuing Legal Education by email at secle@wcl.american.edu or by calling (202) 274-4075 or register online at http://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm.

Community Events

 

1. SAYING NO TO CHAVEZ
Wednesday, February 6, 4:00 - 5:30pm, SIS Lounge, American University
Saying ‘No’ TO Chavez will be hosted by Michael Shifter, the vice president for policy and director of the Andean program at the Inter-American Dialogue. Since 1993, he has been an adjunct professor of Latin American politics at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Shifter writes and comments widely on U.S.-Latin American relations and hemispheric affairs. His recent articles have appeared in major U.S. and Latin American publications such as The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Journal of Democracy, Harvard International Review, Clarín, O Estado de S. Paulo, and Cambio. He is also co-editor, along with Jorge Domínguez, of Constructing Democratic Governance in Latin America, published by Johns Hopkins University Press. Since 1996, he has regularly testified before Congress about U.S. policy towards Latin America. Prior to joining the Inter-American Dialogue, Shifter directed the Latin American and Caribbean program at the National Endowment for Democracy and, before that, the Ford Foundation's governance and human rights program in the Andean region, based in Lima, Peru, and Southern Cone, based in Santiago, Chile. He is contributing editor to Current History and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He has a BA from Oberlin College and a Master's degree in sociology from Harvard University. For More information email schamis@american.edu.

2.  U.S-MEXICO SECURITY COOPERATION: THE MERIDA INITIATIVE AND BEYOND
Friday, February 8, 2008, 9:00-11:00am, Woodrow Wilson Center, 5th Floor Conference Room, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20004
On behalf of the Woodrow Wilson Centers Mexico Institute, the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, and the Inter-American Dialogue, we are pleased to invite you to join us on Friday, February 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the Woodrow Wilson Center for a breakfast discussion on security cooperation between the United States and Mexico. The discussion will give particular attention to organized crime and the Mérida Initiative, as well as the effects of crime on communities along the border. Please respond with acceptances only to Diana Rodriguez at Mexico@wilsoncenter.org or by calling 202-691-4399.

3.  RALLY TO URGE CHINA TO IMPROVE HUMAN RIGHTS
Monday, February 11, 12:00 - 1:30pm, The White House, Washington, DC
Join Amnesty International and other human rights groups in a rally in front of the White House to urge China to improve its human rights record. Amnesty International will begin the 6-month countdown to the Beijing Olympics. China promised to improve human rights when it won the bid for the 2008 Olympics, but so far has done little to keep these promises. President Bush will be attending the 2008 Olympics. Urge him to take steps to improve human rights in China before he leaves for the Games in Beijing. For more information email akole@aiusa.org.

4. YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WORLDQUEST
Monday,February 18, 6:30- 8:30pm, Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th Street, NW DC 20009
WorldQuest is an international affairs and current events trivia contest (much like Quiz Bowl) between 4- person teams. These teams can be representative of your company, organization, school, or have no affiliation. Teams compete by answering questions testing knowledge of current affairs, world leaders, geography, recent history, flags, international organizations, countries, regions, the world economy, culture, religion, and more. A full competition is 70 questions, 7 rounds of 10 questions each. The winning team is the team with the highest number of correct answers at the end of the game and prizes will be awarded to the top teams. $40 per Team of Four (Maximum limit of four, no exceptions). Food and Drink will be available for purchase. To register, please contact the Council at (202) 293- 1051.

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

 

1.CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SEEKS DEAN'S FELLOW FOR SPRING 2008 - APPLY TODAY!
The Center is looking for an enthusiastic student to take a high level of responsibility for the Center's exciting programming. The Dean's Fellow will provide support to our many fun events and interesting projects, assist with marketing Center events, and help create innovate new programming. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the Center's substantive programs. Attention to detail, organizational skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office programs, and proven interest in human rights issues are essential. Experience/skills in brochure/flyer design are a plus. A minimum commitment of 10 hour/week is required.

To apply: send a cover letter, resume and short writing sample (max. 5 pages), to Amelia Parker at aparker@wcl.american.edu. APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED. Please indicate that you are applying for the Center's Dean's Fellow position in the subject line. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

2. WORKING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST: CHALLENGING POVERTY THROUGH LAW
Friday-Saturday, April 4-5, 2008, University of Georgia School of Law
SAVE THE DATE! The University of Georgia School of Law cordially invites you to attend the Third Annual "Working in the Public Interest: Challenging Poverty Through Law" conference on April 4-5, 2008. This two day event features panels and roundtable discussions with speakers drawn from all parts of the country. The conference will be held in Athens, Georgia, at the University of Georgia School of Law, which is approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta. We will be offering CLE credits for a small registration fee. We can also arrange free housing for student attendees who would like to stay with other students here in Athens. Registration and other information will soon be available online at www.law.uga.edu/wipi. If you have questions or concerns, please email us at: wipi.publicity.2008@gmail.com.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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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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