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

WCL Events

1. LaLSA FOOD DRIVE TO BENEFIT THE D.C. CENTRAL KITCHEN
   Monday, March 30 and ongoing, Lobby and SBA Lounge
   Please collect and bring carb snack donations (fruit cups, applesauce, crackers, juice boxes, etc.) to LaLSA's boxes located in the Lobby and SBA lounge. We will donate all collections to D.C. Central Kitchen to contribute healthy snacks to D.C. public school children. Please contact lalsa@wcl.american.edu with any questions.
   
   
2. THE INTERSECTION OF ASYLUM/REFUGEE LAW AND ISLAM
   Wednesday, April 1, 12:30pm - 2pm, 6th Floor Student Lounges
   Looking back through history, the most direct lines between tradition and modern notions of refugee law can be traced in Islam, but how do Islamic countries adhere to refugee rights grounded in religion? What can be done to improve their rights while adhering to Islamic principles? Join WCL Visiting Professor Sadiq Reza and Boston University Professor Susan Akram for a lunchtime presentation on these important issues. To register, please go to www.wcl.american.edu/secle/registration/.
   
   
3. THE RESPONSE FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION
   Wednesday, April 1, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Rm. 603
   On Wednesday April 1, 2009 in WCL Room 603 at 6:30pm, the National Institute of Military Justice (NIMJ) and the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law will screen Sig Libowitz's The Response. The film is a courtroom drama based on the actual transcripts of the Guantanamo Bay military tribunals. The film places audiences in a Kafkaesque tribunal process where they, along with the military judges, must decide whether the evidence presented is convincing and credible and if the detainee is, indeed, an enemy combatant. The 30 minute screening will be followed by a discussion with director Sig Libowitz and Jonathan E. Tracy, assistant director of the NIMJ. The screening is free, but an RSVP is required. Please respond to Irina Vayner at ivayner@wcl.american.edu. To visit The Response's official website, visit http://www.theresponsemovie.com/The_Response_Movie/Welcome.html.
   
   
4. HUMAN RIGHTS AND U.S. GOVERNMENT LAWYERING
   Thursday, April 2, 12pm - 1:30pm, 50th Street Conference Room
   Join us for a lunch discussion with Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys engaged in prosecuting human rights violations. The attorneys work for the Criminal Division office that handles cases such as the recent torture trial of Chuckie Taylor Jr. (the son of former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor, who is currently on trial in the Hague) and the alleged abuses by Blackwater and other private military contractors associated with the U.S. military. Learn how these attorneys - one of whom is a former ICTY prosecutor - are growing the Domestic Security Section of the Criminal Division to bring the prosecutorial power of the federal criminal justice system to bear on international human rights violations. Ask how you can be involved in collaborating with the growing efforts within the federal government to redeem the U.S. human rights record and increase U.S. efforts towards international justice and accountability. Lunch will be served. For additional information, please contact the Center at (202) 274-4180 or by emailing humlaw@wcl.american.edu.
   
   
5. ROOTS & WINGS INTERNATIONAL BENEFIT RECEPTION
   Tuesday, April 7, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, The Art Museum of the Americas at the Organization of American States, 201 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
   Roots & Wings International currently provides full-tuition university scholarships to 29 students from indigenous families that earn less than $2 per day. All scholarship recipients come from coffee-growing communities in rural Guatemala, and they are first in their families to study past elementary school. This cocktail reception features Special Guest Speaker, H.E. Francisco Villagran de Leon, Ambassador of Guatemala. The reception costs $85 to attend, which covers one month of college tuition. Please RSVP at www.rootsandwingsintl.org/rsvp.
   
   
6. PETER EICHSTAEDT, AFRICA EDITOR, INSTITUTE FOR WAR AND PEACE REPORTING
   Monday, April 13, 12pm - 1:30pm, 4301 50th Street Conference Room
   

   Come join us for a discussion of Peter Eichstaedt’s new book, First Kill Your Family: Child Soldiers of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army. Eichstaedt is the Africa Editor for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, which is based in The Hague. He has worked as a journalist and news media advisor in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Afghanistan and most recently Uganda. In the book, Eichstaedt describes his journey into the war-torn villages and refugee camps, talking to former child soldiers, child “brides,” and other victims. He also examines the cult-like convictions of the army; how a pervasive belief in witchcraft, the spirit world, and the supernatural gave rise to this and other deadly movements; and what the global community can do to bring peace and justice to the region. Please RVSP by e-mailing warcrimes@wcl.american.edu. Lunch will be served.

Community Events

1. DALAI LAMA IN ALBANY, NY
   Sunday, April 19, 2pm, Times Union Center in Albany, NY
   The World Ethical Foundations Consortium will hold its first formal gathering in New York’s Capital Region April 18 – 22, 2009. During its inaugural event, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will deliver a public address, and specialized panels uniting world- renown experts, leaders and dignitaries will be held. To learn more about the World Ethical Foundations Consortium, His Holiness’ public address, panels and panelists, and how you can participate in this extraordinary endeavor, please visit http://www.worldethicalf oundations.org.

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

1. LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB? APPLY TO BE A DEAN'S FELLOW AT THE CENTER!
   

   The Center for Human Rights has exciting opportunities for three Dean's Fellows this summer.  Please check below for additional information on these positions as well as instructions for applying. All applications are due Wednesday, April 1, at Noon.
   
   General Center Dean’s Fellow (20 hours/week)
   We are looking for an enthusiastic student to take a high level of responsibility for the Center's exciting programming. The Dean’s Fellow will assist with marketing Center events, managing the Center listserv, and providing support and planning for events and projects.  Attention to detail, organizational skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office programs and interest in human rights issues are essential. Applicants must also be able to commit to a minimum of 30/hours per week. Preference will be given candidates who can commit to the full 30 hours. To Apply: send a cover letter, résumé, and short (5 pages max.) writing sample to Brett Schwartz at bschwartz@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 Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at noon. 

   Human Trafficking and Forced Labor Project Dean’s Fellow (35 hours/week)
   Now is a great time to work with the Center’s new Program on Human Trafficking and Forced Labor. This summer, we are looking for a Dean's Fellow to assist in the creation of documents on issues related to human trafficking to be translated and distributed in the U.S. and overseas and in maintaining the Program’s web page. Attention to detail, writing and research skills, organizational skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office programs, and proven interest in human rights issues, especially women’s rights, labor rights and/or migrants’ rights, is essential. Experience/skills in web and document design also a plus.  To Apply: Send a cover letter, resume and short writing sample (max. 5 pages), to Ann Jordan at ajordan@wcl.american.edu by Wednesday April 1, 2009 at noon. Please indicate that you are applying for the Human Trafficking Program Dean's Fellow position in the subject line.

   Pakistan Project Dean’s Fellow (20 hours/week)
   The Center seeks a Dean’s Fellow for its project with the University of Peshawar in Peshawar, Pakistan. The University of Peshawar and WCL are partnered in a multi-year program of capacity building, academic exchange and program development to help enrich both faculties in the creative implementation of human rights 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. To Apply: Send a cover letter, résumé, and short (5 pages max.) writing sample to Brett Schwartz at bschwartz@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 Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at noon.
   

2. JENNIFER DE LAURENTIIS, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE DEAN, IS SEEKING A SUMMER DEAN'S FELLOW
   Jennifer de Laurentiis, Special Assistant to the Dean, is seeking a Dean's Fellow for the summer.  The position involves 10-20 hours per week of legal research and writing concerning the prohibition of torture, as well as administrative tasks.  Knowledge of Spanish is helpful, but is not required.  Interested students should promptly submit a one-page cover letter and resume via e-mail to jdelaurentiis@wcl.american.edu and reference “Dean’s Fellow” in the subject line.
   
   
3. THE ABA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ANNOUNCES THE SIXTH ANNUAL LAW STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION
   Law students are invited to submit articles addressing domestic violence and the law from a national or international perspective. The first place winner will recieve be published in the American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law, a Resolution from the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence, and honorarium. Second and third place winners will also recieve a Resolution from the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence. All winners’ names and papers will also appear on the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence website at www.abanet.org/domviol. The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2009, 5:00 p.m. EST via email at runger@staff.abanet.org. Winners will be notified in August 2009. For additional info on submission guidelines, please visit www.abanet.org/domviol.
   
   
4. BREAK THE CYCLE IS SEEKING A STATE POLICY ATTORNEY
   Break the Cycle is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage, educate and empower youth to build lives and communities free from domestic and dating violence. The State Policy Attorney is responsible for coordinating our state policy agenda; researching and analyzing state laws and bills that impact the rights and access to services for survivors of teen dating violence; and working collaboratively with domestic and sexual violence service providers, local legislators, youth service providers and other local and national advocates to help them develop and implement policies to better serve teens.  The State Policy Attorney also provides one-on-one consultation to service providers and conducts impact work and advocacy within service systems. The State Policy Attorney reports directly to the Policy & Technical Assistance Manager and supervises volunteers and interns.
   
   Email, fax or mail cover letter and resume to:
   
   State Policy Attorney Search
   Break the Cycle
   P.O. Box 21034
   Washington, DC 20009
   
   Fax: 202.824.0747
   Email: jobs@breakthecycle.org
   
   

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