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

WCL Events

 

1. A STUDENT'S INSIDE LOOK AT GUANTANAMO BAY AND MILITARY COMMISSIONS
Tuesday, February 3,12:00pm - 1:15pm, JD Student Lounge
A third year law student, Michael McNerney shares his experiences from his trip to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay and his view of the Military Commissions proceedings. The U.S. Department of Defense recently recognized NIMJ’s expertise in the area of military justice by placing NIMJ on the permanent list of alternate non-governmental organizations that are official observers of the military commissions at Guantanamo Bay. For more information, contact Irina Vayner at 202-274-4322 or email humlaw@wcl.american.edu.

2. THE FIRST ANNUAL LAMBDA LAW SOCIETY SYMPOSIUM ON MARGINALIZED ISSUES IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY: RACE, CLASS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Wednesday, February 4, 3:00pm - 8:00pm, Rm. 603
The symposium seeks to offer a forum to discuss marginalized issues faced by many in the LGBTQ community both nationally and in our nation's capital. This year's symposium will begin with a panel on domestic violence in LGBTQ relationships. A second panel will follow entitled "Out on the Street," which focuses on issues facing low-income and minority LGBTQ in the Washington, D.C. area. The symposium will conclude with an alumni dinner. Register online at www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm. For more information, call 202-274-4180 or email humlaw@wcl.american.edu.

3. SAFEGUARDING THE VOTING RIGHTS OF MINORITY VOTERS: THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF LAW STUDENTS AND LAWYERS IN THE 2012 ELECTIONS
Monday, February 9, 12:00pm - 1:20pm, JD Student Lounge
A 2004 graduate of WCL, Shirley Rivadeneira has been a steadfast advocate for a living wage among low-wage workers. For the past two years,  she has served as chair of the Living Wage Committee for the National Lawyers Guild and was also active in the American University Living Wage Campaign. Ms. Rivadeneira further dedicated her talents to the workers at WCL by offering classes in English as a Second Language. She was also a student attorney with the International Human Rights Law Clinic at WCL and a volunteer for the Capital Area Immigrant Rights Coalition, where she volunteered to visit detained immigrants in federal prisons.  Most recently, Ms. Rivadeneira served as deputy voter protection coordinator for President Barack Obama's Nevada Campaign for Change. Register online at www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm.

4. REGISTER NOW! BEYOND LITIGATION EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC INTEREST LAWYERS
Friday, February 6, 9:30am - 4:30pm, Rm. 401
Please join us for a one day, two-part event focusing on effective activism beyond litigation and the courtroom. American University chaplain and human rights advocate Joe Eldridge and AU adjunct professor Robert Tomasko will conduct a morning seminar focusing on strategic thinking, message-shaping, and advocacy. Jeremy Woodrum, director and co-founder of the US Campaign for Burma, will present an afternoon case study focusing on his organization’s far reaching efforts to promote human rights, accountability, and democracy in Burma. All are invited to attend and contribute their ideas. Lunch will be served. Register online at www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm. For more information, call 202-274-4180 or email humlaw@wcl.american.edu.

5. UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE PROJECT
Tuesday, February 10, 12:15pm - 1:15pm, Rm. 100
Come learn about the remarkable UN CAT Project, a one-of-a-kind experiential learning opportunity for selected upper-level students to deepen their knowledge of international human rights law and partake in the Project's field component: accompanying UN CAT Chair Dean Claudio Grossman to the Committee's official meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, in November. Also learn how to apply this spring for the fall 2009 Project. Panelists Dean Claudio Grossman (Chair of the United Nations Committee against Torture), UN CAT Project Coordinator Jennifer de Laurentiis, Professors Jamie Raskin and Darren Hutchinson, and student participants Alexandra Bradley, Anna Cabot, Gillian Chadwick, Amalia Greenberg, J. Hess and Solomon Shinerock, will discuss the UN CAT Project as well as the upcoming application process. Register online at www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm. For more information, contact Jennifer DeLaurentiis at jdelaurentiis@wcl.american.edu.

6. RUSSIA AND THE RULE OF LAW: NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Wednesday, February 11, 9:00am - 5:00pm, Rm. 603
The International Law Review is proud to present this symposium. Topics of discussion will include the Artic Circle and Climate Change, Nuclear Nonproliferation, International Trade, and Practicing Law in Russia. Following the program there will be a dinner and keynote discussion on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in the August 2008 Russia-Georgia conflict. For further information, contact American University International Law Review at auilr@wcl.american.edu. Register online at www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm.

7. LaLSA SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER BAKE SALE
Thursday, February 12, 9:00am - 5:00pm, WCL Lobby
Enjoy brownies, cookies, coffee, and other sweets, and support a local college-bound student! The Latino/a Law Student Association (LaLSA) asks for your support in our efforts to give back to the community. They are currently fundraising for a scholarship that will be awarded at the Hispanic Law Conference to deserving Latino high school student(s) in the area. They need YOUR help! Come support their upcoming bake sale! For more information, email lalsa@wcl.american.edu.

8. CIVIL RIGHTS LITIGATION IN THE ROBERTS COURT ERA
Friday, February 20, 9:00am - 5:00pm, Rm. 603
One of the nation's leading experts on constitutional law and civil rights litigation, Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the new law school at UC-Irvine, will deliver a keynot speech on the future of 1983 and Bivins litigation. Register online at www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm.

9. THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE AND OTHER ILL TREATMENT
Monday, February 23, 9:00am - 4:45pm, Rm. 602
This timely conference, co-sponsored by the Association for the Prevention of Torture, will convene a diverse group of high-level international experts, including policymakers, lawyers, civil servants, NGOs, and scholars to analyze key national, regional, and international legal frameworks and review detention practices that can prevent torture and other ill-treatment. Issues to be discussed include: whether adequate legal; frameworks are in place at the domestic level; how laws are applied and detention practices are reformed; and the access of independent experts to all places of detention. Register online at www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm.

Community Events

 

1. SECURITY RELATIONS IN A CHANGING WORLD: PERSPECTIVES FROM TAMKANG UNIVERSITY AND AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Thursday, February 5, 10:00am - 3:45pm, Butler Board Room, 6th Floor, Bender Arena, American University
This conference will feature scholars from both universities discussing security and international relations in the current global order. The conference will consist of three sessions on the following topics: cross strait relations; politics, knowledge and security; and energy policy, foreign policy, and new global challenges. For more information, call the American University School of International Service at (202) 885-1600.

2. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?: CONFLICT, CELL PHONES, AND CENTRAL AFRICA
Wednesday, February 4, 7:00pm, Room 1, Ward Building, American University
Join us for a conversation about the crisis in Central Africa, how the multi-million dollar trade in Congo's conflict materials fuels the war, and what we can do as advocates and as consumers of cell phones, iPods, and digital cameras to make an impact. The conversation will feature John Prendergrast of the Enough Project and Benji and Joel Madden of the rock band Good Charlotte. For more information, email congocampaign@enoughproject.org.

3. SECURITY WITHOUT EMPIRE: NATIONAL ORGANIZING CONFERENCE ON FOREIGN MILITARY BASES
Friday, February 27 - Monday, March 2, Multiple Locations, American University
The United States has an astonishing 1,000 military bases located outside the 50 states and Washington, DC. In addition to increasing the likelihood of war, foreign bases undermine national autonomy, democracy, and human rights, cause enduring and sometimes deadly environmental pollution, result in increased crime including rape and other sexual violence, increase the risk of life-threatening military accidents, and are often built on property that has been seized from people living in "host" communities. Military bases are also expensive: At a time of economic crisis, U.S. bases overseas divert an estimated $138 billion a year from addressing human needs and revitalizing our economies in the United States and abroad.

To expand a growing national and international movement against foreign bases, The Project on Military Bases, a coalition of fifteen national and community based organizations, will be joined by leading anti-bases activists from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and Europe.  The conference will provide a unique opportunity to learn about the dangers and damage that come with foreign military deployments and to join in the process of organizing to win the closure and withdrawal of these bases.

Together the conference attendees will

*       Share information about U.S. military bases and resistance;
*       Develop strategies for and expand the U.S. anti-bases movement;
*       Raise the visibility of the U.S. and international anti-bases movements;
*       Apply pressure on Congress to close and reduce the number of foreign bases.

Speakers will include leading U.S. activists, scholars, and allies from the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Guam, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Okinawa, and South Africa. Additionally, we have arranged twenty workshops to allow participants to explore issues and campaigns more deeply and to develop new strategies.  Monday, March 2, will be a lobbying day on Capitol Hill when conference participants will meet with members of Congress to ask for the closure and withdrawal of foreign bases. For more infor mation, contact Genevie Gold at ggold@afsc.org or (617) 661-6130, ext. 137.

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

1. SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY: TOM LANTOS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FELLOW, UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and the Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States House of Representatives (formerly the Congressional Human Rights Caucus), Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Mass) and Congressman Frank Wolf (R-Va), are offering two unpaid special joint fellowship opportunities for qualified WCL students. Fellows will work in the office of the Commission on Capitol Hill and participate in all aspects of the Commission’s work, assisting in researching and preparing hearings, researching legislation, investigating cases and other duties as may arise. This Fellowship requires a minimum commitment of 20 hours/week. Due to the complexity of the work and to ensure the maximum benefit to both student and the Commission, the Fellowship will run from June - December 2009 (summer plus semester). The fall semester will be an Externship placement with WCL credit. The Fellowship is not compensated.

Applications for the Fellowship are due 12pm, Friday, February 6, 2009 to Center Program Associate Brett Schwartz at bschwartz@wcl.american.edu. Please include a CV, 2 references (one non-academic) and your answers to the following questions in a cover letter (answers to each question should not exceed one page):
• How has your experience prepared you to work for the Commission?
• What do you see as the opportunities and/or limitations of working on human rights issues inside the US Congress?
• What do you think is the most pressing human rights issue in the world today and why?

Preliminary screening will be done by the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in February with final candidates to be interviewed by the Commission soon thereafter.

2. HELP IMPROVE THE CENTER'S WEBSITE
The Center is always looking for new ways to improve our website to help you get the information and resources that you need. Please take a moment to fill out our 6 question, confidential survey about the site. The survey should take no longer than five minutes to complete but your responses will greatly help us fulfill the needs of our diverse group of online visitors. To access the survey, please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=3yCkXudsuSOB3Q0vnQiRng_3d_3d.

3. CLINICS SEEK VOLUNTEERS FOR TRANSLATION AND ROLE-PLAYING
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. Maribel or 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.

4. PIJIP SEEKS INTERN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO MEDICINES LEGAL EDUCATION INITIATIVE
The WCL Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property (PIJIP) offers one-semester internships related to our grant-funded research on human rights and access to medicine. PIJIP internships are open to all students, and 1Ls who are unable to receive Deans Fellowships are encouraged to apply. The intern will work on our Human Rights and Access to Medicines Legal Education Initiative - a joint project with the University of Pretoria which trains practitioners and Parliamentarians in Africa on the use of WTO-compliant use of generic medicines. Intern tasks related to this project will include compiling and reviewing documents for the syllabus of a short course to be co-taught in Pretoria by WCL professor Sean Flynn, as well as research into intellectual property issues associated with access to medicines internationally. For more information about this particular international health project, see PIJIP's webpage on it: www.wcl.american.edu/pijip/go/humanrights.

In Spring 2009, PIJIP will also begin a new collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization to study alternate funding mechanisms for medical research into diseases prevalent in Latin America. Intern tasks will include researching various existing proposals to address flaws in the current international patent system that lead to its failure to promote R&D into so-called "neglected diseases." For more information, or to apply, please contact Mike Palmedo mpalmedo@wcl.american.edu.

5. APPLY NOW FOR THE SUMMER LAW PROGRAM IN THE HAGUE!
The WCRO is accepting applications to the Third Annual Summer Law Program in The Hague, scheduled for June 1 - June 28, 2009.
Join us for this rare opportunity to learn and live in the heart of the international justice community. Examine critical issues of international criminal law and international legal approaches to terrorism while spending a month in the "International City of Peace and Justice" among the practitioners, courts and tribunals making history today. The Program has a maximum enrollment of 40 students. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as we expect the program to fill up quickly.

Participants enroll in two courses, International Criminal Law: In Search of Accountability and International Legal Approaches to Terrorism in the 21st Century, and visit international tribunals like the International Criminal Court (ICC), International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). In 2008, students had the opportunity to observe proceedings in the Charles Taylor case, the former president of Liberia who is being tried in The Hague by the Special Courts for Sierra Leone (SCSL).
The brochure and online application are available online at www.wcl.american.edu/hague.

6. THE ILSP LAW JOURNAL ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR ITS SECOND EDITION
ILSP Law Journal is a new WCL publication that exclusively publishes scholarly works of ILSP students and alumni, in the field of international law, including long articles (4000-5000 words) on any of the ILSP specialization areas (international business, trade, human rights, environment, gender and law, international organizations, intellectual property), short articles (1000-1200 words) on interesting legal issues that occur in the student's home country, or comments on books students might have written. Works should be submitted no later than February 15, 2009, to ilsplawjournal@wcl.american.edu (online submissions only). Submissions should be in double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font and written in Microsoft Word. A short author biography and supplemental materials such as photographs or graphics should also be submitted.

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