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

WCL Events

1. PUBLIC TRIALS? LIFTING THE VEIL ON MILITARY COURTS - MARTIAL
   Tuesday, April 14, 12pm - 1:30pm, Rm. 603
   This program will analyze the theoretical openness of military courts-martial versus the reality that most courts‐martial have few, if any, civilian spectators. Because of a fractured and not readily available docketing system, court dates are rarely widely publicized. The distinguished panel will suggest ways of remedying these shortcomings. Panelists include: Lucy Dalglish, Executive Director, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; Nayna Malayang, LLM Candidate, WCL & NIMJ Dean’s Fellow; Commander Stephen McCleary, Coast Guard’s Office of Military Justice; Moderator: Michelle McCluer, Executive Director, National Institute of Military Justice. To register, please go to www.wcl.american.edu/secle/registration.
   
   
2. THE MODERN AMERICAN ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM: REVISITING THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IN THE UNITED STATES
   Tuesday, April 14, 4pm - 6pm, Rm. 603
   Although the United States is constitutionally bound by the separation of church and state, religion has undoubtedly had a major influence on American law and policy. Religion has influenced discourse concerning a variety of issues in America including reproductive rights, foreign policy, marriage, social services, and education. This symposium will revisit the implications of the Establishment Clause, explore to what extent the separation of church and state in America has held true, and discuss which religions have the most legal and political influence, why they do, and the effect such influence has in a religiously and culturally diverse America. The symposium will also analyze recent legislation and state constitutional amendments as well as the interaction between the American people, religion, and state in the "regulation of morality". To register, please go to www.wcl.american.edu/secle/registration.
   
   
3. THE NEW HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION: A CRITIQUE
   Wednesday, April 15, 4:30pm - 5:45pm, Rm. 503
   The Office of the Dean and the ILSP are proud to welcome Professor B.S. Chimni for a guest lecture at Professor Balakrishnan Rajapol's International Law Class. Professor B.S. Chimni is a Visiting Professor at the Watson Institute at Brown University. He is currently Professor of International Law and Chairperson of the Center for International Legal Studies at Jarwaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Professor Chimni was formally the Vice-Chancellor at the National University of Juridical Sciences in Calcutta. Please contact 202-274-4110 for any questions or concerns.
   
   
4. UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL PROCEDURES: REMARKS BY THE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN CAMBODIA
   Friday, April 17, 12pm - 1:20pm, WCL Dean's Residence
   

   On April 17, the Hon. Michael D. Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia, will visit WCL for a special talk with the WCL community.  He will discuss his experience in Cambodia as the Special Representative for the Secretary General of the United Nations for Human Rights.  Please visit the Center’s website for more information about this unique opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s most distinguished judges. Guests must RSVP for this event. Please e-mail Brett Schwartz at bschwartz@wcl.american.edu by Wednesday, April 15 to reserve your spot.
   

5. LITIGATING BEFORE THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: USON RAMIREZ V. VENEZUELA
   Tuesday, April 21, 12pm - 1pm, Rm. 524
   Francisco Uson was prosecuted and sentenced to five and a half years in prison for “dishonoring and disrespecting the armed forces of Venezuela” during a media interview in May 2004. Uson, a retired General, was tried by a military court instead of a civil one, for a crime that was not a military crime in nature. Today, though released from prison, he remains under the strict control of the Venezuelan parole system.  Join our faculty and students in a conversation about the litigation of this and other high impact cases before the Inter-American system for the protection of human rights and learn more about opportunities for students to participate in these endeavors! RSVP by Monday April 20th to delcampo@wcl.american.edu or to 202-274-4319.

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. 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.
   
   
2. WOMEN AND THE LAW PROGRAM IS SEEKING A SUMMER DEAN'S FELLOW
   

   Are you interested in helping to advance and shape WCL's feminist legacy? Working for the Women and the Law Program is an excellent way to tap into the gender resources of WCL and to have an impact on future programs and opportunities for students interested in gender issues. Responsibilities will include:

   • Helping to organize our upcoming conferences and academic roundtables, including our June conference on ‘Gender and Justice’ featuring women judges from around the world.
   • Managing the list serve, website, and database we use to communicate with the campus community, potential students, and women's rights groups around the globe.
   • Preparing materials for students about WCL's gender programming, and communicating with students from around the world regarding the opportunities to study gender and the law at WCL.
   • Administering the Alice Paul Feminist Jurisprudence Essay Contest.
   • Assisting with research on issues in gender and law.

   Organizational and writing skills are important. A 20 hour/week commitment is preferred.

   To apply: Send a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample to Angie McCarthy, Program Coordinator of the Women and the Law Program, to angiem@wcl.american.edu with “Summer Dean's Fellow” in the subject line.
   

3. PROFESSOR ANN SHALLECK IS SEEKING A SUMMER DEAN'S FELLOW
   

   Professor Ann Shalleck seeks a summer research assistant to work up to 20 hours per week on issues of narrative theory, jurisprudence, the relationship of social welfare law and family law, feminist theory and clinical theory.  Please bring a resume and cover letter to Melissa Manning in room 417 or send them as attachments to an email to mmanning@wcl.american.edu by Friday, April 17, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
   

4. THE INTERNATIONAL VISITING SCHOLARS PROGRAM (IVSP) IS SEEKING A SUMMER DEAN'S FELLOW
   The IVSP Dean’s Fellow will work with the International Programs Coordinator to offer a program which fosters professional development, cultural understanding, and group cohesion.  He/she will be highly organized and independent, have superior interpersonal communication skills, have a genuine interest in learning about other cultures, and be able to handle various tasks at once.  Excellent English writing skills required.  This paid position will be 15-20 hours per week (to be discussed).

   Responsibilities may include:

   • ·        Corresponding with scholars about various pre-arrival questions and concerns
   • ·        Scheduling and conducting orientation sessions for incoming scholars
   • ·        Assisting scholars with locating and settling into permanent housing
   • ·        Collecting, submitting, and filing documentation requested by AU
   • ·        Coordinating the production of business cards and a program bio-book
   • ·        Corresponding with Faculty/Staff Host Committee members
   • ·        Participating in site visits to local organizations
   • ·        Supporting scholars with technology and other office related matters
   • ·        Drafting letters, program newsletters, and program reports
   • ·        Researching professional opportunities and social activities
   • ·        Maintaining an events calendar
     
     

   For more information please visit our website at http://www.wcl.american.edu/scholars/ and send a resume and cover letter for consideration to Claire Shoolin at cshoolin@wcl.american.edu by Friday, April 17th.
   

5. 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.
   
   
6. 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
   
   
7. THE ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS IS SEEKING AN ADVOCACY OFFICER
   The Advocacy Officer will work with RFK Human Rights Award laureates to develop and implement joint
   domestic and international legal, advocacy and communications strategies to achieve laureates' social change
   goals. S/he will develop coalitions and enhance their effectiveness, produce campaign, advocacy, legal, and
   media strategies, raise public awareness, while expanding the tool set already used by the laureates and
   contributing to the capacity of the RFK laureates. The Advocacy Officer will also initiate and lead
   comprehensive research projects to support the laureates' strategies. S/he will act as the main interface between
   the RFK Center and its laureates. The Advocacy Officer will provide additional support, as requested by the
   Director of the RFK Center for Human Rights.
   
   The ideal candidate will have experience with domestic and international human rights mechanisms; a working
   knowledge of U.S. Congressional legislative process, the United Nations system, regional human rights systems
   and multi-lateral institutions; ability to maintain active contacts with key stakeholders in all four systems and their
   staff to support the goals and objectives of the RFK Human Rights Award laureates; and excellent written and
   verbal communication skills. Knowledge of Sudan, Darfur, Western Sahara and U.S. domestic human rights
   issues is strongly preferred. A Juris Doctor's degree or equivalent with at least 3 years of experience in the human rights field and/or
   legislative arena is required. Fluency in Arabic and French is strongly preferred. Salary commensurate with
   experience.
   
   If interested, please e-mail a cover letter, resume, writing sample and 3 references by April 10, 2009 to:
   Fernanda Katz Ellenberg
   Subject: Advocacy Officer Position
   ellenberg@rfkcenter.org
   
   
8. THE D.C. EMPLOYMENT JUSTICE CENTER IS SEEKING A STAFF ATTORNEY
   The D.C. Employment Justice Center (EJC) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit with a mission to secure, protect and promote workplace justice in the D.C. metropolitan area. The staff attorney will (1) assist workers with wage and hour claims at the D.C. Department of Employment Services Office of Wage & Hour (OWH), (2) represent workers in wage and hour cases in D.C. Superior Court and before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, (3) advocate for better enforcement of wage and hour claims, and (4) conduct outreach to and provide legal advice and assistance to workers with wage and hour claims, focusing on Spanish speaking workers.  The staff attorney will report to the EJC’s Legal Services managing attorney.  In addition, the staff attorney, along with the other EJC attorneys, will supervise the EJC's Workers' Rights Clinic, a free walk-in legal clinic designed to assist low-income workers with employment law problems, on a rotating basis.  Limited evening and weekend hours are required for the clinic, meetings and special events.

   
   Qualified candidates must have the following related skills and experience:
   - At least one year of solid litigation experience, including some experience before the D.C. Superior Court or the United States District Court for the District of Columbia;
   -A law degree and membership in the D.C. bar;
   -Fluency in Spanish;
   -Some experience with and knowledge of federal and/or D.C. wage and hour laws;
   -An entrepreneurial spirit; and
   -Excellent oral and written communication skills.
   
   To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and at least two references to Courtney Chappell at cchappell@dcejc.org.  Alternatively, applications may be mailed to the D.C. Employment Justice Center at 727 15th Street, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005 / Attention: Courtney Chappell.

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