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

WCL Events

1. ALTERNATIVE WINTER BREAK BAKESALE FOR GULF COAST RECOVERY
Tuesday, November 25, All Day, WCL Lobby
On Tuesday, November 25 please support the our bake sale, proceeds of which will help send WCL students to the Gulf Coast to do public service work over Winter Break. For additional info, email ahr@wcl.american.edu.

2. REALIZING THE PROMISE OF HUMAN RIGHTS:  EXAMINING THE FIRST 60 YEARS AND BEYOND
Tuesday, December 2, 9am - 5pm, Room 603
As part of the global celebration of the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), WCL and the American Society for International Law will present a day-long conference examining the past, present, and future of this landmark document.  Yale Law School Dean Harold Koh will deliver the keynote address, The Politics of Implementation: The Role of Human Rights in Foreign Policy.  For more information and to register, please contact: WCL Office of Special Events & Continuing Legal Education, 202.274.4075 or www.wcl.american.edu/secle/.  

Community Events

1. WORLD AIDS DAY INTERFAITH EVENT
Monday, December 1, 5:30pm, Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th St. NW
On December 1, 2008, a diverse group of people of faith will gather with the broader community to observe World AIDS Day 2008. Speakers from the faith community will include Rev. Bill Sinkford, Rabbi David Saperstein, and Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson. The event, at Foundry UMC, will be an interfaith observance, followed by a candlelight vigil. For more information, to get involved, or to add your organization as a co-sponsor, please contact Nina Schwartz at the National Council of Jewish Women: nina@ncjwdc.org.

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

1. THE CENTER SEEKS A FEW GOOD DEAN'S FELLOWS
***Applications Due Monday, December 1, 2008***
The Center for Human Rights has exciting opportunities for several Dean's Fellows this spring. We are a fast-paced office, and we always have fun! Available positions focus on different areas of Center programming. Please check below for additional information on these positions as well as instructions on applying. We hope to fill the openings by the end of the Fall semester, so apply soon!

Note: While part-time 1Ls are eligible for Dean's Fellowships, full-time 1Ls are not. Full-time 1Ls should keep your eyes open later in the year for great summer opportunities at the Center!

CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEAN'S FELLOW:
We are looking for an enthusiastic student to help carryout the Center's exciting programming for the Spring semester. The Dean's Fellow will assist with marketing Center events, managing the Center listserv, and providing support to our many fun events and projects. Attention to detail, organizational skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office programs and interest in human rights issues are essential. Experience/skills in brochure and web design are a plus. There are two positions available so the minimum time commitment is 10 hours however up to 20 hours per week are available.
To Apply: send a cover letter, resume, and short writing sample (max. 5 pages) to Center Program Coordinator Amelia Parker at aparker@wcl.american.edu. Please indicate that you are applying for the Center Dean's Fellow position in the subject line AND in your cover letter. Applications are due by Monday, December 1, 2008.

PROJECT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENDER IN PAKISTAN DEAN'S FELLOW: 20 HOURS PER WEEK
The Center seeks a Dean's Fellow for its project on human rights and gender with the University of Peshawar in Peshawar, Pakistan. The University of Peshawar and WCL have partnered for a 4-year program of capacity building, academic exchange and program development to help enrich both faculties in the implementation of human rights and gender education and law. The Center seeks a Dean's Fellow to provide administrative support to the Project as well as assistance planning and organizing conferences and events both at WCL and the University of Peshawar. Students with a particular interest in international law and/or Pakistan and its legal traditions are particularly encouraged to apply. The time commitment for this position is 20 hours per week.
To Apply: send a cover letter, resume, and short writing sample (max. 5 pages) to Center Program Coordinator Amelia Parker at aparker@wcl.american.edu. Please indicate that you are applying for the Pakistan Project Dean's Fellow position in the subject line AND in your cover letter. Applications are due by Monday, December 1, 2008.

PROJECT ON INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW DEAN'S FELLOW (in conjunction with the ICRC): 10 HOURS PER WEEK
Support the work of the Center and the ICRC in expanding and improving the teaching of International Humanitarian Law at law schools both here in the United States and abroad. The time commitment for this position is 10 hours per week.
To apply: send a cover letter, resume and short writing sample (max. 5 pages), to Hadar Harris at hharris@wcl.american.edu. Please indicate that you are applying for the IHL Dean's Fellow position in the subject line AND in your cover letter. Applications are due by Monday, December 1, 2008.

PROJECT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND FORCED LABOR DEAN'S FELLOW: 10 HOURS PER WEEK
We are seeking a 2L, 3L or graduate student with a background in human rights, 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 also have responsibilities over discrete projects. The Program will focus on the U.S., Mexico and Central America so fluent Spanish is preferred but not mandatory. The time commitment for this position is 10 hours per week.
To apply: send a cover letter, resume and short writing sample (max. 5 pages) to Project Director Ann Jordan at ajordan@wcl.american.edu. Please indicate that you are applying for the Human Trafficking Dean's Fellow position in the subject line. Applications are due by Monday, December 1, 2008.

2. WANT TO JOIN THE CENTER STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD? APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE IN EARLY JANUARY
***Application Available for download December 4th***
The Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Student Advisory Board (SAB) is a group of highly qualified and committed students interested in human rights and humanitarian law who work closely with the Center over the course of a year. The SAB focuses on assisting the Center in developing programming that reflects student interests and priorities. SAB members meet with the executive director weekly and commit to at least 15 hours of work with the Center per month. SAB members are selected in January and are active through the Spring, Summer and subsequent Fall semesters.

In exchange for the time and energy that the SAB provides, the Center organizes monthly skills development workshops for SAB members. Past skills workshops have explored public speaking, op-ed writing, and grant writing. SAB members also receive special invitations to many outside events, including awards dinners and meetings with human rights advocates.

Applications for the 2009 Student Advisory Board will be available for download from the Center's website on the last day of classes, Thursday, December 4th and will be due on Monday, January 26, 2008 at 3pm. Questions? - email the Center at humlaw@wcl.american.edu or stop by our table at the WCL 2009 Opportunities Day, scheduled for Thursday, January 22nd in the WCL Cafeteria.

3. PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW & POLICY PROGRAM OPENING FOREIGN LEGAL SPECIALISTS
The Public International Law & Policy Program (PILPP) has openings for Foreign Legal Specialists to join the PILPP team for the spring semester. Foreign Legal Specialists will gain first-hand experience working on current issues of public international law and utilize their existing international law knowledge to address specific legal issues. Whether it is drafting notes on international law, brainstorming ideas on human rights legislation, or answering questions about EU law, this position provides rare and exciting opportunities to practice public international law. LLMs participating in the program will be enrolled in the WCL’s Advanced Issues in International Law with Professor Williams and will receive three credit hours for the Spring 2009 semester. To apply for the program, please send your resume and TOEFL scores to Lauren Baillie, lbaillie@pilpg.org, and Paul Valentine, pvalentine@pilpg.org. The application deadline is December 12th. Please feel free to contact Lauren and Paul with any questions. Good luck!

4. WAR CRIMES RESEARCH OFFICE SEEKS SPRING DEAN'S FELLOWS
The War Crimes Research Office (WCRO) is seeking Dean’s Fellows for Spring 2009. JDs (2L and 3L) and LL.M students are eligible to work on major legal research projects prepared exclusively for international criminal courts and tribunals on issues of critical importance to these institutions. Interested students with a background in public international law, particularly international criminal / humanitarian / human rights law, are especially encouraged to apply, as are those with prior volunteer experience at the WCRO. The time commitment will be 20 hours per week. Please submit a resume and a cover letter, along with a short writing sample and a transcript (unofficial is fine) to Susana SaCouto, Director, War Crimes Research Office, by email at warcrimes@wcl.american.edu. The deadline for applications is Monday, December 1st.

5. STUDENT REGISTRATION OPEN FOR WASHINGTON, D.C./BALTIMORE PUBLIC SERVICE CAREER FAIR!
The 7th Annual Washington, D.C./Baltimore Public Service Career Fair will be held Friday, January 30, 2009 from 9:30am-4:30pm at George Mason University School of Law.  This event features individual interviews as well as table talk opportunities with students from six area law schools.  Last year’s fair brought more than 75 employers and 400+ students together to meet and discuss public interest and government opportunities in the Washington, D.C. area.  Student registration opens Friday, November 21 at https://law-dcpscf-csm.symplicity.com/students.
KEY DATES:
- Friday, December 19 - Interview Bidding and Resume Collection Opens
- Wednesday, January 7 - Bidding Closes
- Friday, January 30 - Career Fair
Please stop by Suite 122 or email Jarrod Shirk at jshirk@wcl.american.edu.

6. HELP FREE A PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE! SIGN UP FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S 2008 GLOBAL WRITE-A-THON!
During last year's Global Write-a-thon, people in more than 30 countries sent over 150,000 letters, postcards and emails on behalf of prisoners of conscience, human rights defenders, and others at risk. This year's Write-a-thon wil take place on December 5 - 14. To sign up, please visit http://www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon/signup_form.php?tr=y&auid=4173927.

7. INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS SEEKS INTERNATIONAL LEGAL OFFICER FOR ASIA-PACIFIC PROGRAM
The ICJ is seeking an experienced International Legal Officer to work at its Asia-Pacific regional office in Bangkok and advance the organization's mandate of promoting rule of law and human rights. The main focus of the position is to help implement an ambitious project of building legal capacity in Thailand on international human rights law. The rule of law has taken on heightened importance in Thailand due to a series of recent events, including the declaration of martial law in three southern provinces in 2005, the military coup in 2006, and the anti-government protests and counter-protests leading to political instability and the temporary imposition of emergency law in Bangkok in August 2008. The International Legal Officer will also contribute to ongoing projects in Nepal and Sri Lanka, and to developing strategies and programmes throughout the Asia-Pacific region. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated international lawyer (practitioner or academic) with hands-on experience dealing with issues of human rights and national security, especially in conflict and post-conflict situations. The International Legal Officer will join a team of lawyers and program staff working on the Thailand project under supervision of the Asia-Pacific Director. The position is for an eight month consultancy, with the strong possibility of renewal depending on performance and funding.

Specific responsibilities include:
- Providing human rights legal analysis and advice on constitutions, legislation, the implementation of laws, and the actions of state and non-state actors;
- Researching and drafting ICJ reports, legal memoranda, policy papers, and press releases;
- Developing relationships with the legal community in Thailand and the wider region of Southeast Asia;
- Providing training and technical assistance to private and government lawyers, human rights defenders, and grassroots advocates on relevant international human rights and humanitarian law;
- Assisting with developing and implementing advocacy strategies at national and international level;
- Conducting trial observations and preparing reports;
- Contributing to media work, including press statements and releases, and representing ICJ in public fora as required;
- Contributing to fundraising activities, including narrative and financial reporting and maintaining budgets;
- Helping to develop and shape programme work in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region, and participating in regional and international activities.

Specific qualifications include:

Education & Experience
- A degree in law; an advanced degree in international human rights law and/or international humanitarian law desirable;
- 5 plus years progressive experience as an international human rights practitioner; 2 plus years relevant work experience in Asia-Pacific desirable;
- An understanding of the history, politics and law of Thailand; experience working in conflict and post-conflict countries in Asia-Pacific region desirable.
- Practical legal and advocacy experience involving the implementation of international human rights standards; experience of national and international human rights litigation desirable.

Other Skills
- Excellent political judgement and the proven ability to develop and carry out innovative legal and advocacy work;
- Experience in drafting reports and legal opinions on rule of law and human rights issues;
- Strong analytical and organisational skills;
- Proven communication (oral and written) skills in English, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations in a clear, concise style; communication skills in Thai and relevant Asian languages desirable;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team;
- Ability to work effectively with colleagues at a distance and willingness to travel.

APPLICATIONS
Deadline: 1 December 2008. Please send cover letter, CV, writing sample, and three references.
By email: asia-recruitment@icj.org
By post: International Commission of Jurists, 31 Phayathai Building, Room 918, Phayathai Road, Rajathevi, Bangkok 10400, THAILAND

8. EQUAL JUSTICE AMERICA FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR SPRING SEMESTER
Equal Justice America provides fellowships of up to $1,500 to students who work during the Spring 2009 semester for organizations providing direct civil legal assistance for the poor. Students must secure a part-time (at least 120 hours) placement for Spring 2009 working for a legal services organization. Students may also apply for a fellowship if they are unable to work a full 120 hours. The grant would be reduced on a pro-rated basis. Visit the Equal Justice America website at http://www.equaljusticeamerica.org for more information.

9. ADVANCED GENEVA TRAINING COURSE ON INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ADVOCACY NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is opening the call for applications for the Geneva Training Course on International Law and Advocacy to be held in Geneva from 16 to 27 March 2009.The call for applications and application form and be found at the ISHR website: http://www.ishr.ch/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=205&Itemid=280. The deadline for application is 1 December 2008.

10. CLINIC (INLUDING INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CLINIC) SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR TRANSLATION AND ROLE-PLAYING
The Clinical Program is seeking volunteers to assist student attorneys with interpretation/translation and simulation role-playing. If you would like to be available as a volunteer in the clinic, please contact Maribel Yamat at myamat@wcl.american.edu or you can see her in Room 417 to get more information and fill out the appropriate forms. You may be able to receive credit for pro bono service with the public interest program.

11. HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY AWARD! CALL FOR PAPERS
2009 Topic in English: 60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: its contemporary normative impact
2009 Topic in Spanish: 60 anos de la Declaracion Americana de los Derechos y Deberes del Hombre: su impacto normativo actual
About the Award: This annual competition seeks to stimulate the production of scholarly work in international human rights law. Participants may choose any subject related to the assigned topic. The best articles may be published in the American University International Law Review. The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law grants two awards, one for the best article in English and one for the best article in Spanish. Each award consists of a scholarship to the 2009 Specialized Human Rights Program, travel expenses, housing at the university dorms, and a per diem for living expenses.*
Eligibility and Requirements

• Candidates must hold a law degree.
• Submissions must be unpublished legal papers in English or Spanish, written solely by the candidate.
• Articles must not exceed 35 pages, including footnotes, and must be double-spaced using 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Articles must be submitted via e-mail to hracademy@wcl.american.edu in Microsoft Word format.
• The deadline to submit articles is February 3, 2009, by 10 a.m. (EST).
• Winners will be announced April 1, 2009, on our Web site.
• A comprehensive list of rules is available at: www.wcl.american.edu/hracademy/hraward.cfm.
  
  

12. APPLY FOR THE 2009 HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES PROGRAM AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
The application for the 2009 session of the annual Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) at Columbia University is now available. HRAP is designed to prepare proven human rights leaders from the Global South and marginalized communities in the U.S. to participate in national and international policy debates on globalization by building their skills, knowledge, and contacts.  The Program features a four-month residency at Columbia University in New York City with a structured curriculum of advocacy, networking, skills-building, and academic coursework. Since 2004, HRAP has concentrated its support on individuals and organizations that address issues broadly related to globalization. The four-month intensive capacity building program based at Columbia University in New York focuses on the following key issue areas:

• Environmental injustice
• Labor rights violations
• Ramifications of resource extraction
• Public health crises
• Unsustainable development
• Intolerance, xenophobia, and social exclusion related to globalization

Special attention is given to the above issues and their intersection with gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, and/or other sources of marginalization. Participants are selected on the basis of their previous work experience on human rights and globalization, commitment to the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to complete graduate-level studies.  Advocates must originate from and reside in either the Global South or the United States.  Fluency in English is required.  Advocates must secure institutional endorsement from their organizations for their participation in the Program and must commit to returning to that organization upon completion of the Program.  If accepted, they must also commit to participating in the program fully. This extremely competitive Program will admit approximately six participants.  We make every effort to provide full fellowships to cover program costs as well as travel and living expenses for selected Advocates each year. Completed applications are due by December 19, 2008.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  The 2009 HRAP will take place from the middle of August to the middle of December 2009.  For further information or to download the application, please refer to our website at: http://hrap.hrcolumbia.org/. Please contact cshr@cuvmc.ais.columbia.edu for more information.

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