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

WCL Events

1. COOL HUMAN RIGHTS WORK I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION
   Wed., Oct. 28th, 12-1:20pm, 6th Floor JD student lounge
   Join us for a discussion of the eclectic human rights related work that WCL students did this summer. Students will share their summer experiences and how others can secure similar jobs or internships. This is a great opportunity to see the actual work students are doing and learn how to connect with potential summer employers. For additional information, please contact humlaw@wcl.american.edu. Lunch will be served.
   
   
2. RICCI V. DESTEFANO: THE FUTURE OF DISPARATE IMPACT LITIGATION AFTER THE NEW HAVEN FIREFIGHTERS CASE
   Wed., Oct. 28th, 12-2:00pm, Rm. 603
   The American University Washington College of Law will host a panel discussion on the effect of the Supreme Court's recent decision in Ricci v DeStefano, which curtailed the ability of employers to take voluntary steps to comply with the
   disparate impact standard of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Disparate impact litigation has been the principal
   vehicle for opening opportunity for minorities and women in our police and fire departments over the past 40 years.
   
   This panel will explore the impact of Ricci on employers and employees, as well as its broader implications for race-conscious decision making. Stuart Ishimaru, the acting chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, will introduce the panel discussion. The panel will consist of leading employment discrimination attorneys who represent plaintiffs and defendants, and experts in selection procedures. The distinguished members of this panel are: Jocelyn Samuels, Civil
   Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice; Joseph Sellers, Cohen and Milstein; Grace Speights, Morgan Lewis; Keith
   Pyburn, Fischer and Phillips; and Irv Goldstein, Ph.D., Industrial Organization Psychologist, University of Maryland. For further information please contact secle@wcl.american.edu. Registration is free but required. To RSVP please visit www.wcl.american.edu/secle/registration.
   
   
3. CRISTINA LERIA, LEGAL COUNSEL FOR PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION (PAHP), DISCUSSES SPECIAL LEGAL ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS
   Wed., Oct. 28th, 12-1:00pm, Rm. 501
   Cristina Leria, recent graduate of the LLM Program on Law and Government, is legal counsel with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). She will meet with students interested in international health and human rights to discuss career opportunities in that area, the work of PAHO, and special legal issues in international health and human rights. For more information and to RSVP please contact bb5629a@american.edu.
   
   
4. IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS COALITION IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS WEEK BAKE SALE
   Wed., Oct. 28th, 9-5:30pm, WCL Lobby
   Come grab a delicious treat and support a great cause at the same time. Immigrants' Rights Coalition will be holding a bake sale in support of Ayuda, the District’s leading source of multi-lingual legal and social assistance for low-income Latinos and foreign-born persons in immigration, human trafficking, domestic violence, and family law. Part of IRC's Immigrants' Rights Week this event is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. For more information please contact irc.cochairs@gmail.com.
   
   
5. IRC LABOR & TRAFFICKING COMMITTEE PRESENTS SEASONAL IMMIGRANT WORKERS: ADVOCACY IN US & MEXICO
   Thurs., Oct. 28th, 12-1:20pm, Rm. 602
   Come hear Rachel Micah-Jones (WCL Alumna and Executive Director of the Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM)), Nicole Gamble (WCL Grad, Distinguished Fellow at CDM), Dan Broughton and Michelle Benitez (members of the International Human Rights Clinic, working on a report about H2-B guest workers in the Maryland seafood industry) speak about their experiences advocating for immigrant workers. For more information please contact irc.cochairs@gmail.com. Lunch will be provided.
   
   
6. IRC ASYLUM & REFUGEE COMMITTEE PRESENTS A SCREENING OF WELL FOUNDED FEAR
   Thurs., Oct. 29th, 6-8:30pm, Rm. 600
   Well Founded Fear is an award-winning documentary on the U.S. asylum process. Guest speaker Cynthia Vega, Asylum Officer, USCIS Asylum Office, will be present for Q&A afterward. For more information and to RSVP please contact irc.cochairs@gmail.com.
   
   
7. HUMAN RIGHTS FILM SERIES! 10TH ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS FILM SERIES: THE RECKONING
   Thurs., Oct. 29th, 5:30-8:00pm, Katzen Arts Center
   Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues arrest warrants for the rebel leaders of the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda, puts four Congolese warlords on trial in The Hague, charges the president of Sudan with genocide and war crimes in Darfur, challenges the UN Security Council to have him arrested, and shakes up the Colombian criminal justice system. Will this tiny upstart court in The Hague tame the Wild West of international conflict zones and end the culture of impunity? Come find out! Check out the trailer here. For more information on all films in the series please visit http://www.wcl.american.edu/humright/center/film.cfm or contact humlaw@wcl.american.edu. We hope to see you there!
   
   
8. THE TORTURE MEMOS: LAWYERS, ETHICS, AND THE RULE OF LAW
   Tues., Nov. 3rd, 9-12:15pm, Rm. 603
   Keynote address by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Screening of Torture Law, a 10 minute documentary by Alliance for Justice examining the role lawyers played in authorizing the use of torture. Following the film, an acclaimed group of practitioners and scholars will reflect on Senator Whitehouse's remarks, Torture Law, and the torture debate. Commentators include Nan Aron, President Alliance for Justice; Daniel Levin, Partner White & Case LLP; David Luban, Professor of Law Georgetown University Law Center; Stuart Taylor Jr.; Columnist, National Journal and Contributing Editor, Newsweek. Moderated by Stephen Vladeck Professor of Law American University Washington College of Law. For more information please contact atenney@wcl.american.edu.
   
   
9. WOMEN AND INTERNATIONAL LAW HOST BRIDE KIDNAPPING IN KYRGYZSTAN
   Tues., Nov. 3rd, 12:30-1:30pm, International Student Lounge
   What is Bride Kidnapping? Why have laws banning the practice been ineffective? Join us for lunch, a short documentary, and a talk about this controversial practice led by WCL LLM student Aimona Tashieva. For more information and to RSVP please contact wilp@wcl.american.edu. Food will be served.
   
   
10. WAR CRIMES RESEARCH OFFICE PRESENTS THE MANDATE AND LIMITS OF THE SPECIAL TRIBUNNAL FOR LEBANON
    Wed., Nov. 4th, 12-1:30pm, 2nd Floor Conference Room in 4301 50th Street, NW
    Cecile Aptel, Senior Fellow with the International Center for Transitional Justice and former Senior Policy and Legal Officer of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, will discuss the background, start-up phase, and future of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which was established to prosecute persons responsible for the attack of 14 February 2005 resulting in the death of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and in the death or injury of other persons. Lunch will be served.  Please RSVP by emailing warcrimes@wcl.american.edu.
    
    
11. CONTROVERSIAL CONVERSATIONS IN HUMAN RIGHTS: WHO IS ILLEGAL?
    Thurs., Nov. 5th 12-1:20pm, Rm. 602
    The second session in this series of discussions will address the hot-button immigration issue of "Who is illegal?" in the United States. Facillitated by a WCL faculty member (TBA), students will have a chance to discuss whether a person can in fact be illegal. For more information, please email humlaw@wcl.american.edu.
    
    
12. SAVE THE DATE! MUCHING ON HUMAN RIGHTS IS BACK FOR ITS SECOND SESSION
    Wed., Nov. 11th, 12-1:20pm, Rm. 603
    The Center's popular "Munching on Human Rights" series is back for another season of engaging and thought-provoking lunchtime lectures hosted by WCL faculty. This series is an introductory program designed particularly for 1Ls who are looking to get a "taste" of international human rights and humanitarian law during their first year of study. Topics will include an introduction to human rights treaty law, a discussion of the Universal Bill of Human Rights, and a primer on the law of war and rules of occupation. For additional information, please contact humlaw@wcl.american.edu. Lunch will be served.
    

Community Events

1. AU's KAY SPIRITUAL LIFE CENTER PRESENTS TABLE TALK LUNCH SERIES
   Wednesdays at 12:00pm (12:00pm Lunch and 12:20pm Discussion), Kay Spiritual Life Center Lounge
   Join the Kay Spiritual Life Center for its Table Talk Lunch Series on Wednesdays at 12:00pm. Please RSVP 24 hours before the scheduled event at 202-885-3321 or at kslc@american.edu. Buffet lunch provided free for students. Speakers to be announced.

   Wednesday, Oct. 28th - International Financial System: What New Rules Are Needed?

   Wednesday, Nov. 18th - Universal Health Care: Whose Dream and Whose Nightmare?

   Wednesday, Dec. 2nd - The Coup in Honduras: What is Happening to Democracy in Latin America?

2. THE DAY THAT CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER WITH GLADYS MONTERROSO A GUATEMALAN TORTURE SUVIVOR SPEAKS
   Mon., Nov. 2nd, 6:30-8:00pm, SIS Lounge (main campus)
   The Guatemala Human Rights Commission hosts Gladys Monterroso, a Guatemalan lawyer, university professor, secretary general of a political party, and wife of the Guatemalan Human Rights Ombudsman who was kidnapped and tortured in the spring of 2009. During her April visit to the GHRC office, Gladys said, "I had a normal life before March 25. I thought I understood the victims of violence in Guatemala. Now that I am a victim, I realize that I never understood fully what it means to experience that level of violence. Why me? What did I do to deserve this? My life is forever marked, divided into before and after March 25, 2009." For more information please visit www.ghrc-usa.org.
   
   
3. 100 YEARS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: FROM ALINSKY TO OBAMA
   Wed., Nov. 4th, 12-9:30pm, AU Main Campus & WCL
   The Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest and Sandy Horwitt, Saul Alinsky biographer, are presenting a series of events on November 4 to celebrate Saul Alinsky, assess the current state of community organizing, and inspire the next generation of community organizers. At this time of economic and social upheaval, there is a great need and opportunity to dramatically increase effective and ethical civic engagement on the critical issues of our day. The event will explore the organizing philosophy and approach of Saul Alinsky, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year. It also will focus on organizing as a career path and its impact on American society and democracy.
   
   12-1:45pm: Community Organizing: From Alinsky to Obama and
   Beyond, Kay Spiritual Life Center Lounge
   
   4pm-6:00pm: Careers in Community Organizing: From Alinsky to
   Obama, WCL, Rm. 603
   
   8-9:30pm: What Effective Activists Can Learn From Saul Alinsky, Mary Graydon Center Rm. 200
   
   Please RSVP by Mon., Nov. 2nd to Becky Prosky at prosky@american.edu or 202-885-3491.
   
   
4. AFRICA 2050:CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGES
   Fri., Oct. 30th, 12-2:00pm, Mary Graydon Center 247 (main campus)
   Interested in climate change? Interested in Africa? Want to learn more about how climate change will impact Africa and populations at risk of sarvation in the next 40 years? Come hear from a panel of distinguished speakers, including Franklin Moore, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Africa, IIana Solomon, Action Aid USA Policy Analyst and moderated by Dr. James Lee, Prof. American University. Please RSVP to kb2304a@student.american.edu by Wed., Oct. 28th. Food and drinks will be provided.
   
   
5. ROOTS AND WINGS INTERNATIONAL COFFEE SALES SUPPORTING FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO INDIGENOUS GUATEMALAN YOUTH
   Everyone needs coffee right? Well get your coffee and support a great cause at the same time. Roots & Wings International (founded by WCL Alum Erik Swanson) creates educational opportunities to promote development as defined by local communities. Their work is rooted in recognizing the importance of culturally responsive education that empowers students to connect their cultural identity with sustainable social and economic development. There is a great selection of various kinds of coffee and delivery is very quick. $3 of every bag you buy helps provide a college education for students in rural Guatemala. Please visit http://www.rootsandwingsintl.org/youcanehelp/buycoffee.htm to support this great cause.
   

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

1. THE OXFORD INTERNATIONAL LAW REPORTS PROJECT IS SEEKING A DEAN'S FELLOW
   Oxford Law Online is working with the International Law Review and the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law to publish the Inter-American Court on Human Rights decisions online and create a searchable database.  The project is sponsored by Oxford University Press (you can visit the website of the project at http://www.oxfordlawreports.com/).  As the Dean’s Fellow you will be working closely with the editor of the project and writing and editing templates for the Inter-American Court to be submitted.  If you are interested in this position please send your resume and a short statement of interest to jj0291a@american.edu.
   
   
2. $1,500 PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR SPRING 2010
   Students must secure a part-time (at least 120 hours) placement for spring 2010 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.  Applicants must send a cover letter describing their commitment and interest in providing legal services to the poor, a resume and an employment confirmation letter from the hiring organization.  All items must be sent together.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  Mail, e-mail or fax applications to Equal Justice America.  Click here for examples of previous WCL fellowship recipient placements.
   
   
3. USAID/OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES NOW HAS INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR THE SPRING 2010 SEMESTER
   All candidates must be U.S. citizens currently enrolled and in good standing in a Bachelors, Masters Degree or PhD program, must meet the qualifications outlined in each position description as outlined in the solicitation, and be able to receive a U.S. Government security clearance. Applications for the 2010 spring semester are due 5:00 PM, November 30, 2009. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. For further information about USAID/OTI Internships and instructions about how to apply, please visit www.globalcorps.com.
   
   

4. GENOCIDE INTERVENTION NETWORK (GI-NET) IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2010 CARL WILKENS FELLOWSHIP (Deadline November 1st)
   The Carl Wilkens Fellowship provides emerging leaders with conflict and advocacy training, organizing tools, leadership training, and the resources to build sustained political will to end genocide. Named in honor of Carl Wilkens, the only American to remain in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide, the Carl Wilkens Fellowship gives ordinary citizens the skills and resources they need to become movement leaders in their own communities. If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about the Wilkens Fellowship, please visit http://www.genocideintervention.net/advocate/wilkens/overview. Applications are due no later than November 1, 2009. The link to the application is: http://www.genocideintervention.net/advocate/wilkens/apply. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact Jessica Reveri, Carl Wilkens Fellowship Coordinator, at reveri@genocideintervention.net.
   

5. CALL FOR PAPERS: 2010 HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY AWARD
   The Academy is proud to announce the topic of the 2010 Human Rights Essay Award. This year's topic for the essay in English is"The Rights of Freedom of Expression and International Human Rights Law." Deadline for submissions is February 1, 2010 at 10am EST.
   
   About the Award: This annual competition seeks to stimulate the production of scholarly works in international human rights law. 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. The Jury deciding the Award will be composed of professionals with recognized expertise in international human rights law. The best articles may be published in the American University International Law Review. A comprehensive list of rules is available at www.wcl.american.edu/hracademy/hraward.cfm. If you have questions please contact the Academy of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at 202-274-4070 or via email at hracademy@wcl.american.edu.

6. CALL FOR PAPERS: ABA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
   Deadline: Nov. 2, 2009
   ABA Commission on Human Rights is requesting submissions on human rights-related topics for possible publication in The International Lawyer's Year in Review. Your contribution will be read by lawyers, judges, and academics around the world.  Topics addressed in last year’s submission include the U.N. Human Rights Council, death penalty decisions in the U.S. and similar legal developments around the world, decisions in the European Court of Human Rights, and other topics.

   This year, we would particularly appreciate your help in writing about one of the following hot topics identified by the chairs and vice-chairs of the ABA Int’l Human Rights Committee:

   • U.N. Human Rights Council
   • European Court of Human Rights decisions
   • International Court of Justice decisions
   • ICTY/ICTR/ICC decisions and trials
   • Torture/Extraordinary Rendition
   • Intersections between business models and Human Rights (e.g., micro financing)
   • Millennium Development Goals tracking and updates
   • CEDAW updates
   • Committee on the Rights of the Child updates
   • Other topics

   If another topic interests you, please send a brief summary of your idea. For guidelines and topic submissions please contact cferguson@fcsl.edu.

   
   

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