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

WCL Events

1. DC & GAY MARRIAGE: 'TIL CONGRESS DO US PART
   Wed., Nov. 11th, 12-1:20pm, Rm. 603
   Join us for a panel discussion on DC City Councils' initiative to legalize same-sex marriage in the District and the possibility of Congressional intervention if the bill is passed. The discussion will feature Chris Edelson, a professor at AU's School of Public Affairs and former state legislative director at Human Rights Campaign, and WCL Professor Nancy Polikoff. For more information, please contact us at humlaw@wcl.american.edu. Lunch will be served.
   
   
2. SOCIETY FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE: ORGANIZING MEETING
   Thurs., Nov. 12th, 5:00pm, Rm. 527
   Come join the Society for Justice in Palestine in our first organizing meeting of the academic year. We will be brainstorming ideas and planning events for the remainder of the year. For more information, please contact sjp@wcl.american.edu.
   
   
3. AFRICAN JUSTICE INITIATIVE FUNDRAISER: GRAB A DRINK FOR A GOOD CAUSE
   Fri., Nov. 13th, 10:00pm-2:00am, The 4Ps, 3412 Connecticut Ave, NW (Cleveland Park Metro Station)
   Come have a drink with the African Justice Initiative and help us raise funds to send WCL students to public interest/justice focused internships across the African continent this upcoming summer.  A portion of these funds will also be donated to a select number of African organizations dedicated to promoting the rule of law and building sustainable infrastructure.  Enjoy drink specials and enter a raffle to win select prizes.  For more information about AJI, e-mail us at aji@wcl.american.edu.
   
   
4. ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VOLUNTEER DAY: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY & DC CENTRAL KITCHEN
   Sat., Nov. 14th
   This is an opportunity to volunteer in the DC community and fulfill some pro bono service hours.  We will have groups going to a Habitat for Humanity work site in Northern Virginia and another going to DC Central Kitchen.  Habitat placement is a full-day commitment from 8am-4pm and transportation is available. DC Central Kitchen is a half day 9am-2pm commitment and is metro accessible.  Both are great placements so let us know if you are interested so we can give the organizations a head count. For Alternative Winter Break participants this will count toward your required 10 hourrs of service. Please RSVP at ahr@wcl.american.edu.
   
   
5. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON THE EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT (ENDA)
   Wed., Nov. 18th, 12-1:20pm, Rm. 401
   Did you know that in 29 states it is still legal to fire someone because of his or her sexual orientation, and in 38 states it is still legal to fire someone based on their gender identity or gender expression?  Did you know ENDA is trying to end this discrimination?  Join us for lunch and a discussion about the ENDA bill, its implications, and the current advocacy strategies surrounding it. Featuring: Professor Tony Varona, WCL; Brian Moulton, Chief Legislative Counsel, Human Rights Campaign and Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Campaign for Transgender Equality. For more information, please contact lambda@wcl.american.edu. Lunch will be provided.
   
   
6. JUVENILE SENTENCING: LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE-CRUEL & UNUSUAL OR NECESSARY & APPROPRIATE?
   Thurs., Nov. 19th, 6-8:00pm, Rm. 602
   The Criminal Law Society and Criminal Law Brief are hosting a panel on the issue of juveniles receiving life without parole sentences for non-homicide crimes.  On Nov. 9, the Supreme Court will hear, separately, two cases on this issue.  Those cases, Graham v. Florida and Sullivan v. Florida both involve juveniles who are serving life without parole for crimes that did not result in a homicide.  Many organizations filed amicus briefs on both sides and this panel will include represented from such organizations as the National District Attorneys Association and Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. For more information, please contact wclcrimlawsociety@gmail.com.

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, 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. FILM SCREENING: WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? HAS FOREIGN AID HURT AFRICA?
   Wed., Nov 11th, 5:30p, Ward 2 (AU main campus)
   WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? is a documentary film that explores why the charity given to Africa over the last five decades has been largely ineffective and often harmful. The filmmakers invite the world to rethink the fight against poverty in Africa.  Could our good intentions be causing more harm than good?  Have humanitarian interventions prolonged suffering? Who is actually benefiting from our good intentions? These questions and many more are addressed for the first time in this groundbreaking feature-length film.  If you ever wanted to know what happened to the $10 dollars you donated to charity last year, look no further.  This film will change the way you look at charity in Africa forever. For more information about this film, please visit www.whatarewedoinghere.net.
   

3. THE LANTOS FOUNDATION FILM SCREENING: VLAST (POWER)
   Tues., Nov. 17th, 5:30pm-Reception, 6:00pm-Private screening and discussion, US Capitol Visitor Center
   The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice was founded to further the work of Congressman Tom Lantos, distinguished Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Co-Founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and the only survivor of the Holocaust to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Lantos foundation hosts a screening documenting the rise and fall of Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky, formerly the wealthiest man in Russia, who was arrested after he challenged Vladimir Putin by promoting political and civil society reforms. Exemplifying the wide net cast to bring down Khodorkovsky's empire, VLAST (POWER) tells the stories of the persecution of several key members of his inner circle. The film portrays the promising universe Khodorkovsky created and the destruction, devastation and disillusionment his prosecution and conviction brought to the lives of those around him. VLAST (POWER) is an unvarnished picture of political upheaval, consolidation of power, and the erosion of democracy in modern Russia. Those interested in attending must RSVP at kfischer@apcoworldwide.com.
   

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

1. WAR CRIMES RESEARCH OFFICE (WCRO) SEEKING SPRING DEAN'S FELLOW
   The WCRO is seeking Dean’s Fellows for spring 2010. JD (2L and 3L) and LLM students are eligible to work on major legal research projects prepared exclusively for international criminal courts and tribunals on issues of critical importance to these institutions. Interested students with a background in public international law, particularly international criminal/humanitarian/human rights law, are especially encouraged to apply, as are those with prior volunteer experience at the WCRO. The time commitment will be a minimum of 20 hours per week. Please submit a resume and a cover letter, along with a short writing sample and a transcript (unofficial is fine), to Susana SáCouto, Director, War Crimes Research Office, by email at warcrimes@wcl.american.edu. The deadline for applications is Monday, November 30, 2009. If you have any questions, please stop by our office at 4301 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 102, call us at 202-274-4067 or e-mail warcrimes@wcl.american.edu.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. $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.
   
   
4. USAID/OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES 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.
   
   

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. 2010 ELLA BAKER SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
   The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) offers the Ella Baker Summer Internship Program in honor of Ella Baker, a hero of the civil rights movement, in order to provide students with legal and other training and a background in movements for social change. The goal of the program is to train the next generation of social justice lawyers. Students work with teams of lawyers on various legal issues, doing legal and factual research and writing on active CCR cases. Ella Baker interns attend weekly discussions with scholars, activists, and clients on such subjects as human rights, racial and economic justice, government misconduct, and corporate accountability. The summer program runs for 10 weeks and interns are eligible for up to a $5000 stipend.
   
   How to apply: Cover letters must include why you would like to work for social change in general and for CCR in particular, any experience you might have in community organizing or in movements for social change, and your interests and skills. Additionally it must include a resume, list of three references and a brief legal writing sample. Deadlines: 2L's must send an electronic version of applications materials to ellabaker2010@ccrjustice.org by Nov. 13th, 2009. All 1L applicants should send the application not later than Jan. 15th, 2010. For more information about CCR, place visit our website: http://www.ccrjustice.org or contact An-Tuan Williams at awilliams@ccrjustice.org.
   
   

Top of Page