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

WCL Events

1. PRIVACY PROTECTION AFTER 20 YEARS UNDER REPORTERS COMMITTEE
   Tuesday, April 28, 8:45am - 4:30pm, Rm. 603
   

   In 1989, in what arguably is the most significant Freedom of Information Act decision ever issued, the Supreme Court in Department of Justice v. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press both broadened the concept of personal privacy and narrowed the definition of the "public interest" in disclosure. This decision caused a sea change in privacy protection by altering the balancing process by which federal agencies decide whether to invoke the FOIA's privacy exemptions -- leading to the withholding of greater amounts of information from the public. Marking the 20th anniversary of this landmark FOIA decision, this program will examine its full impact on government openness versus the protection of personal privacy and also explore its continued viability with the passage of time. To register, please go to www.wcl.american.edu/secle/registration.

2. REVOLUTION '67SCREENING AND DISCUSSION,
   Thursday, April 30, 7pm, WCL Rm. 603
   

   PIJIP, the Office of Diversity Services, BLSA, and the AU Center for Social Media present a screening and discussion of Revolution '67, an award-winning documentary that chronicles the black urban rebellion of 1967 in Newark, New Jersey. It uses video footage included under the fair use exception to copyright to reveal how the six-day disturbance began as spontaneous revolts against poverty and police brutality, and ended as fateful milestones in America's struggles over racial justice. A panel of experts will discuss the importance of fair use in the making of documentary film. Refreshments will be provided for attendees. For additional information, please contact Stacey Jackson-Roberts at sjrobert@wcl.american.edu.
   

3. 14TH ANNUAL INTER-AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS MOOT COURT COMPETITION
   Sunday, May 17 - Friday, May 22, 8:30am - 6:30pm, American University Washington College of Law
   Every year the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law welcomes students from all over the world to participate in the only trilingual (English, Spanish, Portuguese) moot court competition based on the Inter-American human rights legal system. Students argue the merits of a hypothetical case based on a cutting-edge topic currently being debated within the system. During the week-long event, over 150 students will participate in oral round sessions judged by local and international attorneys. In addition, students will visit local and international institutions, and network with WCL faculty, local human rights attorneys, and members of the diplomatic corps and other long-time supporters of the Competition. The week culminates with the highly anticipated and well-attended Final Round. All events are open to the public. For additional information, please visit http://www.wcl.american.edu/hracademy/mcourt/.
   
   
4. REGISTER NOW! GENDER & JUSTICE: AN INTERNATIONAL INQUIRY,
   June 14-16, American University Washington College of Law
   

   Join the Women and International Law Program and the Women's Division of the American Jewish Congress for an international conference. Women judges from Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cameroon, North Cyprus, India, Sri Lanka, Israel, Europe and South America will join U.S. judges from the Federal and State Courts to examine the challenges they face and the opportunities to use the law to change women's lives.

   Participants will consist of United States Federal and State Court Judges, United States Attorneys, law school deans, bar association presidents, and practitioners. This is an excellent networking opportunity for students interested in women's rights, law and justice.

   Topics to be discussed will include:

   • The Status of Women in the Judiciary: A Report from Around the World
   • The Impact of Religion, Tradition and Culture on Judging
   • Religious Law and Women's Rights: A New Era?
   • The Role of the Courts in Ending Violence against Women
   • Maintaining Judicial Independence
   • Prosecuting Gender-Based and Sexual Crimes against Women: The Role of International Courts and Criminal Tribunals
   • Eliminating Gender Bias in the Courts

   For a full list of confirmed speakers and conference program, visit the American Jewish Congress website at http://www.ajcongress.org.

   Please note: Student scholarships are available. If you are a WCL student interested in attending this conference, please email the Women and International Law Program at wilp@wcl.american.edu.

Community Events

1. HUMAN SECURITY IN NORTH KOREA FORUM WITH UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON DPRK
   Tuesday, April 28, 3pm - 5pm, KEI Conference Facility, 1800 K Street, NW, Suite 1010
   You are cordially invited to attend the Korea Economic Institute's Human Security in North Korea Forum, addressing the human rights situation in North Korea. The program features guest speaker Professor Vitit Muntabhorn, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the DRPK.
   
   Dr. Vitit Muntabhorn, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK, is also Professor of Law at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. He is an eminent expert in human rights with over 1000 publications, and combines the qualities of a scholar, an educator, a policy-making adviser and a grass-root human rights activist. He has served in various capacities for the United Nations system. In 1990 - 1994, he was Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. In 2004, Professor Muntabhorn was awarded the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education in recognition of his outstanding contribution to education for human rights and diverse activities at national, regional and international levels in favor of promotion and protection of human rights.

   About the Forum:

   In March 2009, KEI launched the Human Security in North Korea Forum, designed to improve understanding of the steps required to identify and respond to the needs of North Koreans. The UNDP’s 1994 Human Development Report identified seven threat areas to human security: economic, food, health, environmental, personal, community, and political security. The Forum addresses those issues at the top of the human security agenda for North Korea. Programs will be held periodically, and each will fall under one of our three main topic areas: humanitarian assistance, development assistance, and human rights. Our inaugural three programs in the Forum, in spring 2009, feature one event under each area:
   
   For further information on KEI’s new forum, please contact Greg Scarlatoiu (gs@keia.org) or Nicole Finnemann (nmf@keia.org) or go to our website (www.keia.org).
   RSVPs REQUIRED: To register, visit: http://www.keia.org/rsvp.php?event=Human+Security+Series+Part+2+Human+Rights

2. 100 DAYS OF CHANGE? EVALUATING OBAMA'S FIRST 100 DAYS,
   Thursday, April 30, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Center for American Progress 1333 H Street NW, 10th Floor
   Join us as we examine the first 100 days of the new administration. Has Obama brought post-partisanship to Washington? What campaign promises has he kept and failed to keep? What can we do to pressure the administration to enact bold new progressive policies? The panel will feature Matthew Yglesias, Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Amanda Carpenter, reporter and blogger for the Washington Times, Biko Baker, Executive Director of the League of Young Voters, and Khalil Thompson, Southern Regional Political Director for the Obama Campaign.
   
   Click here to RSVP for the Panel Discussion.

   Sponsored by Campus Progress, the GW Health Policy Student Association, and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy.

   This event is free and open to the public. For more information on this event, please email speakers@campusprogress.org.

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

1. HEALTH LAW PROJECT SUMMER CLASSES
   Working during the day and can't get time off for the daytime courses in the Health Law and Policy Institute Summer Program? You still have a chance to earn 1 credit by taking evening classes on Medicine for Lawyers and Fundamentals of Health Law and Life Sciences during the week of June 15th. These classes are from 6-9pm Monday through Thursday. Register on line now! Just check the Summer Course Listings and Schedules section on the WCL website for more information, or the special Summer Programs link on the home page. For the full brochure, please visit http://www.wcl.american.edu/health/institute.cfm for more information, or contact us at cparver@wcl.american.edu or 202-274-4136.
   
   
2. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MILITARY JUSTICE SEEKS A DEAN'S FELLOW FOR SUMMER '09
   

   The National Institute of Military Justice is seeking a 2L/3L/LL.M dean’s fellow to work 10-20 hours/week during the summer 2009.  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 Reporter.  The Dean’s Fellow will also conduct research and write memorandums on issues of military justice, military commissions, and other detainee issues.  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.
   

3. DEAN CLAUDIO GROSSMAN SEEKS A DEAN'S FELLOW FOR SUMMER '09
   Dean Claudio Grossman is seeking a Dean's Fellow for the summer. The position involves 20 hours per week of legal research and writing, 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 Grossman's Dean's Fellow" in the subject line.
   

4. 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.
   

5. AMERICORPS SEEKS LEGAL FELLOWS
   Mississippi Center for Justice
   

   Position:

   The Mississippi Center for Justice and its partners, including the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project, are seeking applicants for up to three AmeriCorps Legal Fellow positions funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and administered by Equal Justice Works, AmeriCorps, and The Mississippi Center for Justice. The positions will be available between mid August and October 2009 depending on the location. One to two AmeriCorps Legal Fellows will be housed at the Mississippi Center for Justice Jackson or Biloxi offices, two will be housed at the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project in Jackson, and one will be housed at another partner organization in Mississippi to be determined.
   
   Responsibilities:
   
   It is possible that one of the AmeriCorps Legal Fellows will focus on foreclosure prevention including related advocacy and litigation. The remaining Legal Fellows will work together to continue the development and implementation of pro bono opportunities for law students and attorneys. The goal in doing so is to expand the availability of legal services to low income, under-served, and elderly community members and to enhance the capacity of each organization. The Legal Fellows will develop leadership and management skills as well as a broad network of partnerships. They will manage outreach, legal clinics, law student interns, teams of volunteer law students, and pro bono attorneys. These Legal Fellows may choose to focus on a substantive area addressed by their host site, and they may spend 20% of their time providing direct legal service in order to develop their professional skills and to enable them to train volunteers within the subject.

   Requirements:
   
   Such positions require highly productive applicants who are self-motivated and driven and can work well in a team. They must be able to multitask and to absorb and process information proficiently. Applicants need to be flexible in the fast paced, ever changing environment of public interest law and have a positive attitude. The positions require effective communication skills which allow the Legal Fellows to interact compellingly with law students, attorneys, the Bar Association and related entities, law school personnel, media, and national and local partners. Applicants must be law school graduates; those who are licensed in Mississippi, who recently graduated and are sitting for the Bar in July, or who are able to sit for the Bar at the next available time are preferred. Strong writing skills are also desired.
   
   Program:
   
   The Mississippi Center for Justice opened its doors in 2003, giving Mississippi a critical capacity that it lacked for more than a decade:  a home grown, non-profit public interest law firm that pursues racial and economic justice through advocacy for systemic change. The Mississippi Center for Justice carries out its mission through a community lawyering approach that advances specific social justice campaigns in partnership with national and local organizations and community leaders.
   
   Stipend and Benefits:
   
   The AmeriCorps Legal Fellows essentially donate their time to the community while experiencing the opportunity of a life time. Each Legal Fellow receives a stipend of approximately $22,800 per term. A higher stipend may be available if one of the AmeriCorps Legal Fellows is hired to focus on foreclosure. The Legal Fellows may be offered the chance to renew for a second term. The Mississippi Center for Justice will provide insurance to each. The Legal Fellows are required to work full time, and, if they complete 1700 hours per term, they will receive an education award of approximately $5,000. The host sites may supplement the stipends to a certain extent in order to assist the Legal Fellows with living expenses. Lastly, the Legal Fellows are eligible for loan and interest forbearance during their terms.
   
   Application Process:
   
   Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. Applicants should send their letters of interest, resume, three professional references, and a writing sample if available to the contact below via email and either fax or mail.  Please specify your GPA in your resume.  Also, please note if you have previous volunteer experience with the Mississippi Center for Justice.
   
   Crystal Utley
   Pro Bono Counsel and AmeriCorps State Site Supervisor
   Mississippi Center for Justice
   974 Division St.
   Biloxi, MS 39530
   228 435 7284
   F 228 435 7285
   cutley@mscenterforjustice.org
   
   Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
   Responsibilities: The Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow will work with the New York LawHelp Consortium, of which LAWNY is a staffing partner. The Consortium manages www.LawHelp.org/NY, New York’s client based legal services website. The Fellow will work under the direction of the LawHelp Project Director, at the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. The Fellow will assist with the launch of LiveHelp, a web project that provides real time “chat” style navigation support to users needing help finding appropriate legal resources. The Fellow will develop and manage relationships with law schools and pro bono projects to produce a trained pool of volunteer navigators that will staff Livehelp over the long term. The Fellow will also be part of a team that will work with LawHelp’s Editorial Board attorneys to assist them in their on-going efforts. The Legal Fellow will also work together with the three upstate Fellows to address gaps in legal services through the recruitment and management of pro bono law students and attorneys, and through the provision of direct legal services. Finally, the Legal Fellow will spend a portion of their time in the provision of direct legal services to low-income clients.
   
   Requirements: Applicants should be admitted to practice in New York or recent law school graduates who have sat for the last bar examination or are able to sit for the next available bar examination. Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work both collaboratively and independently are necessary. Consideration will be given to prior experience working with low-income people. Demonstrated strong writing skills are required.
   
   Stipend/Fringe Benefits: If you are selected, you will receive the following for each 12 month term of service as an AmeriCorps Fellow:
   - Valuable program management, community organizing and supervisory experience;
   - Hands-on opportunities to provide direct legal services and representation for people in need;
   - $37,760 for living allowance and supplemental benefits;
   - $4,725 (per term - one year) Segal AmeriCorps Education Award for educational loan repayment or tuition at completion of service;
   - Student loan forbearance and interest accrual payments for eligible student loans during the term of service;
   - Fringe benefits including health care insurance, dental insurance, short-term disability insurance, child care assistance, and travel reimbursement;
   - Participation in Equal Justice Works Leadership Development program in Washington D.C. with additional annual trainings; &
   - Access to Equal Justice Works’ network of alumni, experience, and expertise as the nation’s largest provider of public interest opportunities for law students and attorneys.
   
   Application instructions:

   Application Process: The positions are available on or about August 1, 2009. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. Applicants should submit a letter of interest, a resume, a writing sample and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of 3 professional references via email or regular mail to:
   
   Keith McCafferty, Managing Attorney
   Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
   361 South Main Street
   Geneva, New York 14456
   kmccafferty@lawny.org
   

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 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.
   

8. GUEST SCHOLAR AT BROOKINGS INSTITUTION IS SEEKING A PAID ASSISTANT
   We are seeking an assistant for Mr. Helmut Sonnenfeldt, a Guest Scholar at the Brookings Institution. Helmut Sonnenfeldt's areas of focus include Russian and European affairs, executive-congressional relations and intelligence and national security issues. A veteran of the National Security Council staff, he has held several advisory posts in the U.S. government and the private sector.
   
   This position is ideal for a student of U.S. Foreign Policy or International Politics. You will be asked to research a wide variety of topics, including US-Russia relations, NATO-Russia relations, nuclear proliferation (Iran, North Korea, etc.), U.S. nuclear weapons policy, Cross-Strait relations, and other current U.S. foreign policy developments.
   
   The position does include some administrative duties but is predominantly research-based and thus meets the criteria for a 3-credit internship for both undergrad and graduate students, although graduate students are preferred. The assistant will be expected to work at least 35 hours per week and receives a stipend every two weeks. The starting date for this position is May 12.
   
   Please e-mail a resume/CV and include a cover letter in the body of the e-mail (also note any foreign language skills) to egill@brookings.edu .
   
   
9. WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF LAWYERS IS SEEKING A SUMMER INTERN
   The Washington Council of Lawyers is taking applications for a summer internship for a local college or law school student. The position is a six-week internship requiring 10 hours of work per week with a total stipend of $600. We will also offer learning and networking opportunities through lunches with members of our board of directors and free attendance to the Summer Pro Bono Forum. The intern will be helping us administer and update our membership program, publications, and website. He or she should be very comfortable with MS Office and generally adept at learning new software.
   

   A resume and cover letter should be submitted via email to Gina Malloy at gmalloy@wclawyers.org.
   

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