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

WCL Events

1. TOMORROW AT 5PM: ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS' FIRST HAPPY HOUR!
Wednesday, September 24, 5pm - 6pm, 6th Floor JD Student Lounge
Take a study break, relax, grab coffee and snacks, get to know other students with similar interests in human rights, talk to faculty in the field, and take action! Action for Human Rights is a student organization that brings together students and faculty to promote awareness of domestic and international human rights issues and their legal implications. We provide a forum for discussion about different issues and encourage you to take action. For more information, contact humlaw@wcl.american.edu.

2. NUTS AND BOLTS OF DOING HUMAN RIGHTS WORK: GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP
Thursday, September 25, 12-1:20pm, Rm. 601
Patricia Pasqual, director of the DC office of the Foundation Center, will conduct a skills session providing the ins and outs of grant proposal writing. Seating is limited! Lunch will be served. For more information and to register, email Allison Sherrier at alli.sherrier@gmail.com.

3. BRINGING HUMAN RIGHTS HOME: BUILDING PROACTIVE POLICY TO ENSURE RACIAL AND GENDER EQUALITY
Friday, September 26, 9am-1pm, Room 524
Can you imagine policy efforts that are based on international human rights standards? The implementation of human rights treaties at local and state levels has proactively strengthened public policy in addressing discrimination based on gender, race and other identities. The Women's Institute for Leadership Development for Human Rights (WILD) has used the human rights framework to address gender, race and other identity-based discrimination in the United States. In 1997, WILD for Human Rights spearheaded a local education and advocacy campaign resulting in the implementation of UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). WILD organized public hearings that addressed the discrimination against women and girls in San Francisco in the areas of health, violence and economic justice. As a result, San Francisco passed an Ordinance that adopted CEDAW as city law and the Mayor allocated $200,000 to the implementation of the Ordinance, which includes an unprecedented obligation to conduct a gender analysis of select city departments. The gender analysis produced significant results, leading the San Francisco Department of Public Works to look for the first time at how the placement of street lights impacts the safety of women and girls, and the Department of Juvenile Probation to recognize the need for gender-specific services for the youth detained at the Youth Guidance Center. The effort to adopt CEDAW as local law is now being replicated in cities across the United States including Seattle, Eugene, New York and Los Angeles. The campaign was supported by over 200 local, state, national and international NGO’s and elected officials including Senators Feinstein (CA) and Boxer (CA). Recently, WILD released RESPECT, PROTECT, FULFILL: Raising the Bar on Women’s Rights in San Francisco. The report documents the impact of the CEDAW legislation in advancing equity within the City of San Francisco over the past 10 years. Please join us! • To recognize the added value of human rights to advance public policy and reduce identity based discrimination. • To examine the strength and challenges of local implementation of human rights standards. • To construct new ways of advancing the discourse and the application of local implementation. Presented by Women’s Institute for Leadership and Development for Human Rights In partnership with Washington College of Law: - NIC/WCL Project on Addressing Prison Rape - International Human Rights Law Clinic - Women & International Law Program - and the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to programs@wildforhumanrights.org or contact 415.355.4744. SEATING IS LIMITED.

4. 9/11 SEVEN YEARS LATER: HOW IT STILL EFFECTS THE SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY
Tuesday, September 30, 12-1:20PM, Room 602
Please join us for an interesting panel with speakers: Safiya Ghori of the Muslim Public Affairs Counsel, Sharon Alexander of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Rajdeep Singh Jolly of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Professor Jayesh Rathod will be acting as the moderator. Lunch will be served. This event is sponsored by the South Asian Law Student Association in conjunction with the Islamic Legal Forum. For more information, please contact Alvir Sadhwani at alvirsadhwani@gmail.com

 

Community Events

1. CHARTING NEW PATHS TO ACHIEVE GENDER EQUALITY IN EDUCATION: EQUATE FINAL EVENT AND RECEPTION
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2:00 - 4:30 pm, 1400 Sixteenth St. NW
What does it take to achieve gender equality in education to move beyond parity, beyond a singular focus on girls, and beyond the school doors? The EQUATE* project is pleased to invite you to a discussion about new directions in achieving gender equality in education. On Tuesday, September 23rd, a distinguished panel will discuss practical and innovative approaches for achieving gender equality, from the classroom level to the policy level. Panelists will also discuss masculinities and femininities in education, address critical challenges, and offer their insights for future planning. Please RSVP in advance as space is limited. Please RSVP for this event by registering online at http://www.glp.net/web/genderandeducation/registration by Thursday, September 18th.

2. MIX AND MINGLE WHILE SUPPORTING DASH (DISTRICT ALLIANCE FOR SAFE HOUSING) TO INCREASE SAFE HOUSING FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN DC
Tuesday, September 23, 6pm, K Street Lounge, 1301 K Street, NW
DASH is addressing the overwhelming lack of housing and social services for victims of domestic violence and their children in the District by providing safety and necessary resources.  DASH provides access, safety, and acceptance to victims of domestic violence by providing a "low barrier" housing program that accommodates victims regardless of disability, chemical addiction, immigration status or sexual orientation. Admission: $10 minimum donation towards the work of DASH. Cash and checks will be accepted. All proceeds from this event will be donated to DASH, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Cash bar. Light appetizers will be served. Learn more about DASH by visiting its website, www.dashdc.org

3. A MORAL DEBT TO THE AFRICAN PEOPLE: THE CASE FOR APARTHEID REPARATIONS
Friday, September 26, 1:30pm, TransAfrica Forum 1629 K Street, NW Suite 1100
Brownbag Discussion (Please Bring Your Own Lunch) 
Join Jubilee USA Network, Africa Action, & TransAfrica Forum in welcoming Dennis Brutus, renowned South African poet, educator, and activist, to discuss the legal struggle for apartheid-era reparations from multinational corporations in South Africa. This lunch comes the day after court hearings in the New York Southern District Court where he is a leading plaintiff among thousands of South Africans fighting for economic justice. Dennis' long history and current work will provide a thought-provoking lunch as we discuss opportunities for further solidarity. Also invited is MP Giyose, Chair of Jubilee South Africa.
Please RSVP to hayley@jubileeusa.org or call 202-783-3566 x100

4. NATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE ON CIVIL REMEDIES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
Thursday-Friday, October 2-3, 8:00am-4:30pm/8:00am-5:00pm, 1299 Pennsylvania Ave NW
This Institute will provide civil attorneys with the information and resources they need to represent adult and child victims of human trafficking in civil matters. Day One of the Institute provides an overview of the crime of human trafficking and its impact on victims. Day Two of the Institute focuses on the development of litigation skills and strategies. Pro Bono attorneys are encouraged to attend. General registration fee: $175. Non-profit Staff Attorney Registration Fee: $75. Limited stipends for partial reimbursements are available courtesy of LexisNexis. If you would like to apply for a stipend, please contact Amanda Kloer at kloera@staff.abanet.org with a brief statement of need and proof of tax exempt status. Limit one applicant per organization. Deadline for stipend applications 8/29/08. For more information, please contact Amanda Kloer, Project Coordinator at kloera@staff.abanet.org or call (202) 662-1697.

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

1. THE CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAW SEEKS DEAN’S FELLOW FOR NEW HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND FORCED LABOR PROJECT
We are seeking a 2L, 3L or graduate student with a background in human, labor, women and/or migrant's rights and who is an enthusiastic self- starter, has excellent research and writing skills and is able to multitask. The Fellow will work closely with the Director but will have responsibilities for discrete projects as well as support the Director. The Program will focus on the U.S., Mexico and Central America so fluent Spanish is preferred.  The Fellowship will be 10 hours a week. To apply: send a cover letter, resume and short writing sample (max. 5 pages), to Hadar Harris at hharris@wcl.american.edu by Friday, September 19. Please indicate that you are applying for a Center Human Trafficking Dean's Fellow position in the subject line.

2. WCL'S ANNUAL FOUNDERS' CELEBRATION 2009 IS AROUND THE CORNER! SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS NOW!
Preparation for WCL's Annual Founders' Celebration is underway, and the Office of Special Events and Continuing Legal Education is seeking proposals for events! Proposals are due on October 1. At this stage we just need the program title, suggested date, and brief description of the program content and possible organizations, government departments etc. that speakers will be drawn from. Please email Jennifer Dabson for the application form at jdabson@wcl.american.edu

3. 2008 EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS CONFERENCE & CAREER FAIR!!
The 2008 EJW Career Fair will be held on October 10th & 11th at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. Please go to the EJW website, www.equaljusticeworks.org to register. 

4. ATTENTION 3L’S! POSTGRADUATE SKADDEN FELLOWSHIP DEADLINE APPROACHING!
Interested in pursuing a postgraduate public interest fellowship opportunity?  Visit www.pslawnet.org for a comprehensive listing of fellowship opportunities and deadlines. 
Skadden: October 6th, application and information available at www.skadden.com.
If you are in the process of completing a fellowship application, please contact Heather Fine, Public Interest Specialist, at hfine@wcl.american.edu or 202-274-4090 to schedule an appointment to review your application materials and/or discuss questions. 
The Office of Career & Professional Development will hold a Workshop for 3Ls to address the Skadden application writing process. You should only attend the Workshop if you are in the application writing phase or close to that phase. Alumni who have received Skadden fellowships will be available to answer questions and provide helpful hints on the application writing process.Skadden Fellowship Workshop: Wednesday, September 24, noon - 1:20 p.m. (Room 445)
Please RSVP for these Workshops via CareerLink. Pizza will be served!

5. REPRESENT WCL AT THE 2008 INTER-AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS MOOT COURT COMPETITION!
We are looking for 2 students who are interested in representing WCL team at the 2009 Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, to take place from May 17 to May 22, 2009 in Washington D.C.. The Competition is a great opportunity for students interested in international and human rights law to enhance their knowledge, meet fellow students around the world and network with practitioners and judges. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and 10-page (max) writing sample to Agustina Del Campo, WCL’s team coach, at delcampo@wcl.american.edu by Friday, September 26 with the words COMPETITION TEAM APPLICATION 2009 in the subject line. Students will be evaluated on their written submission, and finalists will be asked to present 5-minute oral arguments using last year’s hypothetical case on October 10.

6. VOLUNTEER WITH THE INTER-AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS MOOT COURT COMPETITION
We are also looking for volunteers to communicate with participants, recruit judges, research the Bench Memorandum and plan the various events of the Competition. The Competition particularly seeks Spanish and Portuguese speaking volunteers (but not exclusively!). If you are interested, please email the Competition at iamoot@wcl.american.edu or call 202-274-4215. For more information, visit our website at wcl.american.edu/humright/mcourt.

7. THE ACADEMY OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAW SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
Help Create a Database on the Applications of International Law in Domestic Court Decisions. Prof. Claudia Martin, Co-Director of the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, seeks students to serve as Assistant to the Editorial Board for the project Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Law. The project is sponsored by Oxford University Press and the Amsterdam Center for International Law at the University of Amsterdam and entails the creation of a database on international law in domestic court decisions representing countries from all over the world. The students will review a selection of cases submitted by reporters based in different countries, compare them to applicable guidelines, make comments and suggestions as to the final selection, communicate with reporters and guide them on how to write a report and commentary on the selected cases, review the report and commentary and make suggestions to the members of the Editorial Board. Since the cases come primarily from Latin America, knowledge of Spanish is essential. The reports will be produced in English, but the student will be required to consult the full text of the original decision as part of the review process. The final version of the report will be posted in the Oxford University Press database. These volunteer positions require 10 hours per week. If you are interested in this position, please send your resume to cmartin@wcl.american.edu indicating "ILDC Volunteer Fall 2008" in the subject line.

8. IMPACT LITIGATION PROJECT SEEKS DEANS FELLOWS AND VOLUNTEERS
The Impact Litigation Project is looking for two Dean’s Fellows for the fall with the potential to continue through the spring semester to work on freedom of expression cases. Candidates must be fluent in both English and Spanish, have excellent writing skills in both languages and have a proved interest in human rights issues. Dean’s Fellows will be required to work at least 15 hours per week providing administrative support as well as researching and drafting legal memoranda. If you are interested in applying to this position please send an email with a cover letter, resume and short writing sample (10 pages max.) to Agustina Del Campo at delcampo@wcl.american.edu indicating “Dean’s Fellow fall 2008” in the subject line.
The Impact Litigation Project is also seeking 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, and LL.M.s who can volunteer  between 5-10 hours/week to the project. Please let us know if you are interested in the project. For more information or questions, visit our website at http://www.wcl.american.edu/ilp/ or contact Agustina Del Campo at delcampo@wcl.american.edu

9. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MILITARY JUSTICE SEEKS DEAN'S FELLOW
The National Institute of Military Justice is seeking a 2L/3L/4L dean’s fellow to work 10-20 hours/week during the fall semester 2008.  The Dean’s Fellow will work on editing and indexing National Institute of Military Justice (NIMJ) updates to publications to include the Guide to the Rules of Practice and Procedure for the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the Military Commission Instruction Sourcebook 3d and 4th.  Experience with Microsoft Word and the Bluebook is desired.  This position could lead to other military justice/NIMJ work.  An interest in military justice and related issues is a plus.  Publishing experience is helpful, but not required.  To apply submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Jonathan Tracy, Assistant Director, National Institute of Military Justice (NIMJ) at jtracy@wcl.american.edu.

10. WAR CRIMES RESEARCH OFFICE SEEKS DEAN'S FELLOW
The War Crimes Research Office (WCRO) is seeking a Dean’s Fellow to provide administrative assistance to its Summer Law Program in The Hague. We are looking for students to assist in developing course materials, marketing the program and undertaking administrative tasks. We value attention to detail, strong organizational skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office programs. Experience or interest in international law, program management and study abroad are all great assets. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter highlighting relevant experience to Susana SaCouto, Director, War Crimes Research Office, by email at warcrimes@wcl.american.edu. This position pays $12/hour. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. For more information, please stop by our office at 4301 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Suite 102, call us at 202-274-4067 or e-mail warcrimes@wcl.american.edu

11. THE CLINICAL PROGRAM (INCLUDING THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CLINIC) SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION, CASE INVESTIGATION AND SIMULATIONS.
The International Human Rights Law Clinic and other clinics in the Clinical Program seek student volunteers who are fluent (nearly bilingual, not just “conversational”) in another language for interpretation and translation work on clinic cases.  There are also volunteer opportunities clinic-wide to work as simulation volunteers (play the role of “clients” or “witnesses” in simulations) or case investigators (examples of case investigation tasks may include gathering documents, attending witness interviews, and visiting places and institutions relevant to the issues in a particular case).  Please see Maribel Yamat in the Clinic in Room 417 or email her at myamat@wcl.american.edu to complete a volunteer form.  The student attorneys in the clinic will contact you after you submit your volunteer form as needed.  Pro bono pledge credit is available for each type of volunteer activity.

12. BE A REPORTER FOR OXFORD REPORTS ON INTERNATIONAL LAW!
Professor Claudia Martin, Co-Director of the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, is seeking Spanish speaking WCL LL.M. students for a research project that will provide them with a great opportunity to gain practical experience in legal research and writing on various topics of international law. Selected students will work as ORIL Reporters researching domestic cases in Spanish decided by Latin America courts. The selected cases may involve various legal subject areas including but not limited to human rights, business, investment, criminal law, immunities, that apply norms and principles of international law. The final case report will be written in English and published online. Students will be accredited in the final case report as authors. There is also an option to receive an academic credit for 10hrs of work per week.
Required Skills:
- Fluency in Spanish and English.
- Experience in legal research and drafting.
- Knowledge of core principles of international law.
The research project will be coordinated with the support of Dean’s Fellows and LLM students Vladislav Michalcik and Ana-Maria Fernandez de Soto. If you are interested in being considered to participate in this project, please email CV/Resume and a brief writing sample to vm3553a@american.edu and af1657a@american.edu by Friday, September 26, 2008.

13. DC JAIL ADVOCACY SERVICES SEEKS SOROS FELLOWS
University Legal Services (ULS) was designated in 1996 as the District’s protection and advocacy system for the human, legal and service rights of people with disabilities.  Under this federal mandate, ULS became the only nonprofit organization in the district that has direct access to investigate complaints of abuse, neglect and rights violations of individuals with disabilities in DC facilities. The organization is looking for a candidate to apply for a SOROS criminal justice fellowship (due September 24th).For more information, please call Ph. 202-547-0198 or see www.uls-dc.org

14. GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR THE WOMEN’S LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, AND THE LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY FOR WOMEN IN AFRICA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The application deadline for WLPPFP, which is for lawyers from the United States,is Friday,October 31. The deadline for the LAWA Program, which is for lawyers from countries throughout Africa,is Friday,September 26. Thank you very much for helping us reach out to outstanding lawyers from the United States and Africa who are committed to advancing women's human rights and social justice. Please see www.law.georgetown.edu/wlppfp for more information.

15. VOTER REGISTRATION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT WCL AND IN THE COMMUNITY
IRC, PLS, and LaLSA are still looking for volunteers to represent WCL and help with voter registration and outreach.  Ayuda, a local non-profit organization, is organizing volunteers for two separate events:   ** Fiesta DC- September 28, 2008, from 11am-7pm, Attorneys from the Hispanic Bar Association will volunteer to register voters- this is a great opportunity to have some fun, eat good food, network with attorneys, all while getting people REGISTERED TO VOTE!  You can volunteer for 2 hours slots: 11-1, 1-3, 3-5, 5-7.
Check out fiestadc.org
  ** Ayuda's Phone Bank Voter Outreach Project, October 14 and 15, 2008, from 5pm-8:30pm.  Dinner and training begin at 5pm at Ayuda, 1707 Kalorama Road NW.  We will be calling registered voters to remind them to get out and vote on November 4.  We will be there to answer questions they might have or direct them to someone who can answer their questions.      Also, we'd like to go out to Virginia and do some door-to-door registration next week or the following week- date and time TBD. For mor information, email Judith Pilcher at jspichler@gmail.com or call her at (646) 456-6984.  **FYI: Spanish is not required**

National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty Seeks Volunteers for National Homeless & Low Income Voter Registration Week!
September 21-27  
Another important election year is here, and we hope you will join us in ensuring that all Americans, including those without a home, can make their voices heard.  The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (NLCHP), the National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council are honored to invite your organization to participate in National Homeless & Low Income Voter Registration Week from September 21-27, 2008.  Groups around the country will be taking part in events for the week, and your organization can join us by hosting a voter registration drive or promoting voter education and participation.
For more information or questions about joining this effort, please contact NLCHP's Civil Rights Director, Tulin Ozdeger, at tozdeger@nlchp.org.  To learn more about homeless persons' voting rights, see our recently released 2008 Voting Rights Report. 

CARECEN Seeks Volunteers for Voter Registration for Next Several Weeks!
We are now fast approaching the voter registration deadline for both DC and VA, so we need all the help we can get to make sure this year as many people as possible will exercise their right to vote. WE HAVE A HUGE NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION IN BOTH DC AND VA! If interested in doing voter registration in VA, please contact: Bessy Blanco by phone at (703) 370-3434 or by email: at bblanco@carecendc.org.
Next Opportunities:

1. Saturday, September 27: Voter Registration in Washington, DC, Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, Brookland, Georgia Avenue Petworth Areas (MEET AT CARECEN AT 9 AM - 1460 Columbia Road NW)
2. Sunday, September 28: Voter Registration in Washington, DC, Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, Brookland, Georgia Avenue Petworth Areas; Voter Registration at the Mount Pleasant Festival, Mount Pleasant Street NW, CARECEN will have a table there; (MEET AT CARECEN AT 10 AM - 1460 Columbia Road NW)

16. YALE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL LAW JOURNAL SEEKS SUBMISSIONS!
Are you working on a developing issue within human rights law or using an innovative approach to the practice of international development? Are you practicing law in a particularly interesting area of human rights and/or development? If so, you may be a good candidate to submit a Note from the Field to the Yale Human Rights and Development Law Journal. We are interested in reading well-written, well-sourced notes (about 20,000-25,000 words) that address a new development or fresh perspective on some aspect of human rights law and are written by an attorney practicing in that field. Writing a Note from the Field is a great opportunity for practitioners to publish their writing and shed light on little-known aspects of their practice. Please send all submissions for Notes from the Field to lindsay.nash@yale.edu.

17. ADVANCING CONSENSUS: 60 YEARS OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE
Registration is now open for the Advancing the Consensus: 60 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Conference at Emory School of Law in Atlanta October 16th-18th. There will be two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates giving keynote speaches, over 35 panelists and workshop presenters from all over the U.S. and the world presenting about current human rights issues, and 400 conference attendees with whom to network! Please visit this site for more information: www.law.emory.edu/advancingtheconsensus Please visit this link to register: http://www.law.emory.edu/current-students/student-organizations/epic/conference/registration.html Everyone must register, even if you able to attend the conference for free. This will help us make sure we have enough food and other materials for you. 

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