Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

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

 

WCL Events


1. THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES: A Production of Eve Ensler, Thursday, February 14th and Friday, February 15th, 7:30pm, Room 603
The Women's Law Association of WCL is proud to present its Eighth Annual production of the “Vagina Monologues.”  Proceeds from the event will benefit a local organization that works to prevent violence against women and serves survivors of violence.  Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door.  All proceeds go to the Tahirih Justice Center - www.tahirih.org.  For additional information, please contact Cori Racela at racela@gmail.com.

2. WEEK OF ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTING US COMPLIANCE WITH CERD

  • Race in the US Today: Complying with International Norms and CERD?, Tuesday, February 19, 12pm, Room 100

  • LIVE SIMULCAST: CERD Committee Review of the United States for Compliance with the Race Treaty, Thursday, February 21, 9am - 12pm, Room 601

  • Poster Display: US Compliance with CERD, Tuesday - Thursday all day, WCL Lobby

The United States will be reviewed by the UN Committee for the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) on February 21 and 22.  An unprecedented coalition of over 100 NGOs participated in writing a supplemental shadow report for consideration by the Committee.  Over 80 US NGO representatives will be traveling to Geneva to advocate for better US compliance with CERD.  To raise awareness of the reporting process and some of the key issues noted in the official US report and the coalition shadow report, the Student Advisory Board of the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law has planned a week of activities around the CERD meeting.  Please join us on Tuesday, February 19 at 12pm in room 100 to discuss current issues of race in the US, the CERD reporting process, and challenges to US government accountability.  The lunchtime discussion will be led by Ryan King of the Sentencing Project and Hadar Harris, Executive Director of the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (and a member of the CERD National Coordinating Task Force).  During the week, the SAB will also sponsor a poster display outlining some of the key issues being discussed by the Committee in Geneva.  On Thursday, February 21, the Center will simulcast (in an unprecedented live broadcast) the official proceedings of the CERD Committee and the first part of the review of the United States regarding its compliance with ICERD.  Please join us to watch the proceedings.  Coffee and refreshments will be served.  The week of events are co-sponsored by the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Student Advisory Board, Asian Pacific American Law Students' Association, Black Law Students' Association, Latino/a Law Students' Association, Immigrants' Rights Coalition, and the Poverty Law Society.  For additional information, please contact the Center by emailing humlaw@wcl.american.edu or by calling 202-274-4180.

3. THE NEW U VISA REGULATIONS: UNDERSTANDING THEIR APPLICATION AND BUILDING COLLABORATION
Thursday, February 21, 9am - 5pm, Rm. 603
After seven years of waiting, Congress finally enacted the U Visa regulations in October of 2007.  Consequently, thousands of recipients of deferred status are anxiously re-submitting applications, while future applicants, advocates, and law enforcement agents work to understand the regulation's practical applications and the implications for past and future recipients.  This all-day program will seek to educate the attendees about the new regulations with a particular eye to the protection of immigrants' rights.  Law enforcement representatives, local and national advocate, professors, and government agencies will be attendance.  Sponsored by the Immigrants' Rights Coalition.  To register for this event please visit, http://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm.

Community Events

 

1. 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.  Schedule is negotiable, however, a minimum commitment of 10 hour/week is required.

2. APPLY FOR A REEBOK HUMAN RIGHTS FELLOWSHIP AWARD (Due March 4!)
Make a difference this summer on the frontlines of human rights activism!  The Reebok Human Rights Summer Fellowship offers students a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in the field of human rights.  AIUSA is recruiting students aged 18 - 25 to spend summer 2008 working with organizations connected to Reebok Human Rights award winners or AIUSA.  Postings are in the United States and abroad. Fellows receive funding of up to a maximum of $2,500 to use towards air travel and other expenses.  Applications are available online and due on March 4, 2008.  For more information and an application form visit: www.amnestyusa.org/reebok.

3. WORKING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST: CHALLENGING POVERTY THROUGH LAW, Friday-Saturday, 4-5 April 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.

4. 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.

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.

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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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