Introducing the AUWCL 2009 - 2010 Humphrey Fellows
Agustin Alberto Flah graduated as a lawyer from the University of Buenos Aires – Argentina (1996) and received a full Chevening Scholarship from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office to attend the London School of Economics where he completed his Master of Laws with Merit (2003). He was the Argentine Representative before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, the FATF on Money Laundering in South America (GAFISUD) and the Inter -American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States (LAVEX –CICAD- OAS). He formerly held the position of Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Justice of Argentina and was Legal Advisor to the First Special Joint House Commission Created in the Argentine National Congress to monitor investigation to Terrorist attacks. He is a lecturer at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the University of Belgrano, Argentina and the University of Friburg, Switzerland. During his year as a Humphrey Fellow, he plans to continue his study of anti-money laundering, counter terrorism financing and anti-corruption through academic and professional development, and return to Argentina to advocate for positive change in the country’s ability to fight these complex crimes.
Ahmet Imirzalioglu currently serves as a judge in the Supreme Administrative Court in Ankara, Turkey. Prior to serving in the Supreme Administrative Court, he served in the International Law Department of Turkish Ministry of Justice and in local tax courts. Ahmet attended the Law School at Ankara University, and then continued his education at the Public Administration Institute for Turkey and earned a master’s degree in justice administration. His primary interest lies in judicial administration reform, the role such reform plays in securing human rights and what this could mean for Turkey they progresses towards alignment with European Union. Throughout his time in Washington, DC, Ahmet hopes to increase his knowledge of procedural law and human rights law through academic study and professional experience which he could take back to Turkey and apply to the Turkish Supreme Court as they continue negotiating for EU status.
Abudureheman Kadeer is an attorney in Xinjiang Tong Yuan Law Firm, a postsecondary teacher at The Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics and a PhD student in International Economic Law at the Renmin University of China.In addition, he was a lawyer and management officer for the Xinjiang Lawyers Association. He has safeguarded clients’ rights in litigation, mediation and arbitration; provided those who need help with legal aid; handled the concerns regarding safeguarding lawyers’ legitimate rights and the discipline of lawyers; participated in various research programs; and taught undergraduate students in instructive juristic theory, salutary legal practice and the logos of rule of law. His major area of interest is international economic law and he aspires to return to China and continue helping the government and people develop intrinsic respect for the law.
Brigitte Mensah currently works as a practicing lawyer in the appeal court of justice in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire where she defends the rights of people with disabilities. Brigitte holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law, a License in Law, a Master’s in Law and an Aptitude Certification for Professional Lawyers from the Concody University in Abidjan. Her primary interest lies in defending the rights of people with disabilities and she works to influence the policies that help people with disabilities improve their socio-economic situation and help families educate members with disabilities. As a Humphrey Fellow, Brigitte hopes to work with NGOs dedicated to advocating respect for rights of people with disabilities. Upon her return to the Côte d’Ivoire she will continue working in this field and begin working with local NGOs to share what she has learned so that they may strengthen the recognition of the rights of people with disabilities.
Phetdala Phoumalavong has diverse experience working as an English teacher, the Secretary to the President and most recently, as an Assistant Judge in the People’s Supreme Court in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Phetadala also holds degrees in Administrative Law and French Law from the Faculty of Law and Administration in Vientiane, Lao PDR. His current research interests lie in learning the best practices for dealing with delayed cases, which has been clogging the Lao judiciary system for some time. While as a Humphrey Fellow, he hopes to study the techniques of case proceedings through academic coursework and professional experience in the US and then apply his new knowledge and skills to the development of the civil chamber of the People’s Supreme Court in Lao PDR.
Susana Ramos currently works as an attorney in Luanda, Angola. She holds multiple degrees including an LLM in Oil and Gas Law from Agostinho Neto University in Luanda, Angola and a degree in Law from the University of Lisbon, Portugal. Her primary interests lie in corruption eradication and ethical business practices, with a particular emphasis on the oil and gas industry. In her year as a Humphrey Fellow, Susana hopes to more fully understand best compliance practices in the area of legal transparency and ethical business practices. She then wants to apply her knowledge upon her return to Angola and help her country achieve the Millennium Development Goals of eradication of extreme poverty, fair distribution of national wealth and establishment of a global partnership for development.
Alexandre Sankievicz is a legislative counsel of the Criminal and Civil Law Division of the Legislative Counsel Office – Chamber of Deputies in Brazil. He is responsible for advising members of the parliament on the draft of bills, committee reports and public policies. He also aids members in legislative inquiry commissions created to investigate human rights violations. Alexandre holds two degrees from the Instituto Brasiliense de Direito Público, one in Constitutional Law the second in Public and Criminal Law. While a Humphrey Fellow, Alexandre hopes to gain knowledge about justice administration at the federal, state and local levels as well as the role of human rights organizations in facilitating justice. He will then transfer his new knowledge to his work in drafting bills and overseeing public policies in Brazil.
Elena Vladimirovna Sapozhnikova is currently the head of the English Language Section of the Department of Foreign Languages at the Ural State Law Academy in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Elena has a wealth of experience teaching English in several different settings which include the Ural Forest Engineering Academy and at the Ural State Law Academy (formerly the Sverdlovsk Institute of Law), all in Yekaterinburg. As a Humphrey Fellow, Elena hopes that her coursework will include classes in legal communication skills and that she will have the opportunity to attend a moot court and live court proceeding. She also hopes to see how legal professionals apply their skills working in a law-school clinic and a law firm, and how law-school faculty approach cross-cultural issues facing international students.
Maria Filomena Singh is a Presiding Judge in the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, Metropolitan Manila, the Philippines. She is also a Professor of Law (and former student) at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law and at the Philippine Judicial Academy (the Philippines' Judicial Training Institute) in Manila. Much of Maria’s work is in the field of law and human rights, with particular focus on more efficient court management, alternative dispute resolution, and programs which could help unclog the local courts' heavy dockets, like the small claims court project. During her Humphrey year, she hopes to gain new knowledge and skills that will help her advocate for a more efficient court and case management system, and a more independent judiciary to help perpetuate better Philippine internal and international stability.
Tania Marisca Tait is a Control Prosecutor in the Office of the Prosecutor General in Swakopmund, Namibia. She has worked and contributed to its development since her graduation from the University of Namibia, where she obtained her degree in Law. Tania’s primary interest lies in the area of law and human rights specifically relating to juveniles and victims of abuse. During her year as a Humphrey Fellow, Tania plans to combine her academic study and internship experience to learn more about the US judicial process, rehabilitation process and counseling process regarding juveniles and victims of abuse. She hopes to return to Namibia where she can help repair the shortcomings of the Namibian judicial system, improve Namibia’s fight against crime and injustice and strengthen her community’s confidence in their criminal justice system.
