Upcoming Human Rights Events and Opportunities (Week of Jan. 09, 2012)
LeitnerCenter LeitnerCenter
Leitner Center events:
None scheduled.
Other Opportunities:
Upcoming Events
Internships
Fellowships
Positions
Call for papers
Internships
Law Student / Graduate Opportunity - Promoting International LGBTQ Human Rights, El Salvador
Great opportunity to be involved with an international human rights clinic start-up, helping shape its direction and making a difference in the lives of LGBTQ persons, fighting the spread of AIDS, fighting stigma and discriminatory practices in medical care, education, employment, and the impunity of hate crimes.
The Project
The leading LGBTQ human rights group - Asociación Entre Amigos (‘AEA’) - is requesting 3rd year law students, or law school graduates for their new legal services office in San Salvador to assist in the implementation of the new legislation and to provide a full-spectrum of basic legal services to their low-income clients.
Asociación Entre Amigos
AEA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsTftputFFg) is a well-established NGO working for the human rights of HIV/LGBTQ in El Salvador. It works with the most vulnerable of the LGBT community including transgender persons who are grossly marginalized and oppressed. They are initiating the first pro bono Anti Homophobia Legal Clinic - El Salvador.
Background
El Salvador is currently undergoing an exciting transformation. Under the FMLN liberal party, the country has real opportunities for strengthening the rule of law through the development of a strong proactive approach to assert and defend the rights of LGBTQ. AEA seeks to bring about historic change for LGBTQ in El Salvador’s legal justice system through the work of this new legal services clinic.
Duties & Responsibilities
The law students/graduates, along with other Salvadoran lawyers and AEA will assist in the Legal Empowerment Program disseminating & implementing a new reform act entitled ‘Presidential Decree 56,’ signed by President Mauricio Funes of the FMLN party in 2009. The Decree is a major step forward in the human rights of LGBTQ persons. It prohibits discrimination by public officials and public employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, it has not yet been widely disseminated among the public or the stakeholders, and no one has been trained to ensure its implementation. Significant gaps in the law and in enforcement remain. The law interns will be instrumental in the law’s success and achievement.
The law interns will also oversee civil rights cases in their entirety, interview clients, draft motions, make administrative court appearances; conduct outreach and presentations about the new legal clinic’s services program to the Salvadoran judiciary & branches of law enforcement; train educators, health care providers and police on non-discrimination, informed consent, confidentiality; participate in meetings with government officials, other NGOs involved in the rule of law movement, and human rights organizations such as women’s groups, labor organizations and others.
Positions are available on a rolling basis.
Qualifications:
• Passion for LGBT rights,
• Sensitive to cultural differences, comfortable working with low-income, HIV/ LGBTQ clients including transgender sex workers,
• Self- starter, able to work effectively with minimal supervision,
• Skilled communicator; proficiency in Spanish and English is required,
• Strong management and presentation skills,
• Have a high level of energy and initiative, strong interpersonal skills, and relevant legal expertise,
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
This Internship is unpaid and self-funded.
The organizers are happy to work with successful candidates to arrange for school credit, and financial aid. The successful law students or law graduates associated with the LGBT Legal Clinic in El Salvador are encouraged to view their legal work as a dynamic factor in their ‘agent of change’ activities on a global lawyering perspective.
Contact:
Send a cover letter and resume to Ana Montano, Esq., Program Advisor at a...@alrp.org with the Subject Line ‘Externship Opportunity’. Please describe your international experience and your preferred dates of travel.
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Law Student Externship Opportunity -- Promoting International LGBTQ Rights
Great opportunity to be involved with an international human rights clinic start-up, helping shape its direction and making a difference in the lives of LGBTQ persons, fighting the spread of AIDS, fighting stigma and discriminatory practices in Medical care, Education, Employment, and the impunity of hate crimes.
The Project: The leading LGBTQ human rights group---Asociación Entre Amigos (‘AEA’) is requesting two 3rd year law students, or law school graduates for their new legal services office in San Salvador to assist in implementation of a new law and to provide a full-spectrum of basic legal services to their low-income clients.
Asociación Entre Amigos is a well-established NGO working for the human rights of HIV/LGBTQ in El Salvador. It works with the most vulnerable of the LGBT community including transgender persons who are grossly marginalized and oppressed. They are initiating the ‘first ever’ pro bono legal services clinic program for their clients. The new Legal Clinic in El Salvador will make justice accessible by working with the LGBTQ community as partners & supporting their priorities in a holistic, multifaceted legal services & legal education program and capacity building.
Background: El Salvador is currently undergoing an exciting transformation after many years of conservation Right Wing politics. Currently, under the democratically elected FMLN liberal party, the country has real opportunities for strengthening the rule of law through the development of a strong proactive approach to asserting and defending the rights of LGBTQ. AEA seeks to bring about historic change for LGBTQ in El Salvador’s legal justice system through the work of this new legal services clinic.
Duties & Responsibilities: The law students/graduates, along with other Salvadoran lawyers and AEA will assist in the Legal Empowerment Program disseminating & implementing a new reform act entitled ‘Presidential Decree 56,’ signed by President Mauricio Funes of the FMLN party in 2009. The Decree is a major step forward in the human rights of LGBTQ persons. It prohibits discrimination by public officials and public employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, it has not yet been widely disseminated among the public or the stake holders, and no one has been trained to ensure its implementation. Significant gaps in the law and in enforcement remain. The law interns with be instrumental in the law’s success and achievement.
The law interns will also oversee civil rights cases in their entirety, interview clients, draft motions, make administrative court appearances; conduct outreach and presentations about the new legal clinic’s services program to the Salvadoran judiciary & branches of law enforcement; train educators, health care providers and police on non-discrimination, informed consent, confidentiality; participate in meetings with government officials, other NGOs involved in the rule of law movement, and human rights organizations such as women’s groups, labor organizations and others.
2 positions are available on a rolling basis, and structured to fit the academic needs of the law students or law graduates. Qualifications:
• Passion for LGBT rights
• Sensitive to cultural differences, comfortable working with low-income, HIV/ LGBTQ clients including transgender sex workers
• Self- starter, able to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Skilled communicator; proficient Spanish language is required
• Strong management and presentation skills
• Have a high level of energy and initiative, strong interpersonal skills, and relevant legal expertise
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
The Externship is unpaid and self-funded. We are happy to work with successful candidates to arrange for school credit, and financial aid. Housing will be provided. The successful law students or law graduates associated with the LGBT Legal Clinic in El Salvador are encouraged to view their legal work as a dynamic factor in their ‘agent of change’ activities on a Global Lawyering perspective.
Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Ana Montano, Esq., Program Advisor at: a...@alrp.org with the Subject Line ‘Externship Opportunity’. Please describe your international experience and your preferred dates of travel.
Fellowships
Leitner Center: 2012 Crowley Fellowship in International Human Rights
The Crowley Program in International Human Rights is dedicated to promoting human rights scholarship and advocacy at Fordham Law School and around the world. The Program’s core elements include an annual two-week fact-finding project in another country, a human rights lecture and brown bag series, a summer internship program, and student research projects involving various human rights issues. The students involved in the project participate in course work, independent research, planning and conducting the project, and related follow-up work. The Program has successfully conducted projects in Turkey (1998), Hong Kong (1999), Mexico (2000), Ghana (2001), Malaysia (2002), Bolivia (2003), Kenya (2004), Romania (2005), South Africa (2006), Malawi (2007), New Zealand (2008), Nepal (2009), Tanzania (2010), and Cambodia (2011).
The Crowley Program is administered by a fellow who is a law school graduate. As a member of the adjunct faculty of Fordham Law School, the Fellow will teach a seminar in human rights in preparation for the annual fact-finding project during the spring semester. The additional responsibilities of the fellow are substantial: planning all substantive and logistical aspects of the fact-finding project, participating in the project, writing and publishing a post-project report, and day-to-day administration of the program, including running a year-round lecture series, advising students seeking international human rights internships and post-graduation employment, and coordination with the human rights community.
The fellowship is a 16-month position, totaling a commitment of three semesters. The fellowship begins in mid-August 2012. The Fellow’s annual salary is $55,000 for the first year and $60,000 for the final semester, and includes benefits.
Applicants should send a statement of interest (including detailed description of your international human rights experience, teaching/mentoring/advising experience, language skills, and how the fellowship will advance your professional goals), a résumé/CV, an official law school transcript, and at least two letters of recommendation by January 30, 2012 in one complete application package to:
“2012 Crowley Fellowship”
Crowley Program in International Human Rights
Fordham University School of Law
33 West 60th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10023
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Leitner Center: 2012 Asia Law and Justice Fellowship
The deadline for applications is January 30, 2012. Applications postmarked after this date will not be considered.
The Asia Law and Justice (ALJ) Program, part of the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham Law School, studies and promotes the rule of law and adherence to basic human rights throughout Asia. The Program does this through research and advocacy projects; conferences, symposia, and panels; capacity-building initiatives, such as exchanges of lawyers, judges, and scholars; and partnerships with NGOs based in the U.S. and Asia. The program’s primary focus has been on rule of law and justice initiatives in China, including the independence of criminal defense lawyers, women’s rights, and the legal status of North Korean refugees in East Asia.
The ALJ Program is administered by a Fellow who is a law school graduate. The Fellow will conduct research and advocacy for the Program; identify new areas for research; work with the Program’s partners; advise students seeking relevant internships and post-graduate employment; coordinate the work of the Committee to Support Chinese Lawyers, an initiative housed in the Program; and manage day-to-day administration, including arranging events and lectures. The Fellow may also teach a seminar at the Law School as a member of the adjunct faculty.
Candidates should hold a J.D. or equivalent, and have a demonstrated interest in international human rights and Asia. The ideal candidate will have some familiarity with Chinese law or legal developments in other parts of Asia; experience in international human rights advocacy as exhibited by past internships, clinical experience in law school, and/or post-graduate human rights experience; and proficiency or fluency in Mandarin Chinese or another regional language.
The Fellowship begins in mid-August 2012, and is a 12-month position with the possibility of an extension for an additional year. The Fellow’s salary is $55,000 and includes benefits.
Applicants should send a statement of interest (including detailed description of your international human rights experience, teaching/mentoring/advising experience, language skills, and how the fellowship will advance your professional goals), a résumé/CV, an official law school transcript, and at least two letters of recommendation in one complete application package by January 30, 2012. The complete application package should be sent to:
“2012 ALJ Fellowship”
Leitner Center for International Law and Justice
Fordham University School of Law
33 West 60th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10023
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The Norwegian Refugee Council is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced persons. We advocate for their rights and assist with shelter, education, food distribution, and counselling on repatriation.
The Norwegian Refugee Council seeks:
Legal Administrative Officer (Long Term Consultancy) based in New York
In 2011, The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) established an international legal component in New York, United States which supports its presence in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). The long term objective of the programme is to contribute to improved protection and living conditions for refugees and internally displaced persons in the oPt.
The International Component undertakes strategic litigation, legal research, training and advocacy and now requires a Legal Administrative Officer to based in New York to provide administrative and financial assistance for the New York office. The Legal Administrative officer will directly work with the Senior Justice Expert in the NRC office space in New York.
Functions/Key Results Expected
The Legal Administrative Officer will perform duties and responsibilities in accordance with the objectives and activities mentioned below:
* Organise and manage the financial and administrative issues related to the NRC NY office including preparation of contracts, travel and expense forms;
* Schedule meetings and conference calls and prepare relevant material including advocacy briefing packs;
* Assist with organization of trainings, seminars and workshops both within the USA and abroad;
* Prepare, proofread and edit legal and other documents;
* Take minutes at relevant meetings;
* Undertake all logistical arrangements both within the US and externally;
* Conduct Internet and other factual research:
* Assist and identify with fundraising initiatives;
· Attending various meeting representing NRC;
· Any other duties as specified by the Senior Justice Expert and appropriate NRC international staff.
Skills and Qualifications Required.
* Relevant Bachelor's degree;
* Must have excellent organizational skills and be detail-oriented;
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and have experience with Internet research;
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
* Experience of fundraising preferred;
* Strong research and writing skills;
* A demonstrated interest in international human rights work and international NGOs’s is strongly preferred.
NRC is unable to provide a visa to work in the United States.
Commencement: As soon as possible.
Contract period: 1 Year – 3 days per week.
Salary/benefits: NRC offers a competitive salary.
Letter of application and CV in English are to be submitted by email to antoni...@opt.nrc.no. Please ensure that you mark clearly the title of post that you are applying for.
Closing date: 9 January 2012
The Norwegian Refugee Council has 2000 committed and competent employees involved in projects on four continents, to give refugees and internally displaced persons a better life and future. In addition we have one of the world’s largest standby forces with 600 professionals, ready to be deployed on 72 hours notice when crisis occur.
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Amnesty International is seeking an advocate/adviser for an 18 month special project to analyze human rights laws, standards, and practice pertaining to criminalization in the following areas: abortion, same-sex sexual conduct, sex outside of marriage, sex work, transmission of HIV, women’s conduct during pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health and rights information provision, and drug use.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
As advocate/adviser you will develop Amnesty International’s strategic approach to this area of work, on the basis of human rights law, standards, and practice, in order to identify clear and coherent institutional goals and objectives. The advocate/adviser will also work with and represent Amnesty International before diverse advocacy constituencies, including nongovernmental organisations, academia and UN agencies in order to test advocacy arguments and messages and achieve identified objectives. This position will provide authoritative legal and policy advice to Amnesty International staff in order to ensure that Amnesty International documents reflect solid legal thinking and advance progressive interpretations of international law and standards. The post holder will also coordinate the development, translation and wide dissemination of an advocacy toolkit and other materials in order to deliver project objectives and implement Amnesty International’s strategy as well as the overall implementation of the project in line with the agreed project.
ABOUT YOU:
You will have expert knowledge of the international human rights legal framework and relevant developments on criminalisation in the context of sexuality and reproduction, gained through significant experience working within or on the sector. You will have in-depth knowledge on at least four of the following issues: abortion, same sex sexual conduct, sex outside of marriage, sex work, transmission of HIV, women’s conduct during pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health and rights information provision, and drug use. You will have experience of working with human rights defenders on the issues and identify project partners and develop AI's relationship with them. You will have a demonstrated ability to analyse the human rights issues raised by criminalisation and decriminalisation. You will have excellent political judgement and strong analytical skills and the ability to think and plan strategically. You will have proven experience of developing targeted advocacy messages as well as the ability to develop advocacy materials and ensure their wide and strategically effective dissemination. You will have experience of planning, organizing and prioritising work under pressure and to deadlines. You will also have excellent external representational skills. You will have outstanding written and verbal English and the ability to work to a high professional level in another language, particularly Arabic or French is highly desirable.
ABOUT US:
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people standing up for human rights. We are independent and impartial and our campaigning is based on accurate and timely research. Our network extends to more than two million members and subscribers in more than 150 countries around the world. Each one of us is outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world – and together we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity.
Job Purpose: The advocate/adviser will contribute to the delivery of an 18-month special project. She or he will analyse human rights laws, standards, and practice pertaining to criminalisation in the following areas: abortion, same-sex sexual conduct, sex outside of marriage, sex work, transmission of HIV, women’s conduct during pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health and rights information provision, and drug use. The advocate/adviser will develop internal position papers, map advocacy targets and identity potential advocacy strategies, develop advocacy messages, test these messages and strategies with local human rights experts, and produce an advocacy toolkit and other documents for external use. The advocate/adviser will also ensure the overall implementation of the project in line with the agreed project plan and will provide necessary information for reporting to the donor.
Location: London or New York
Useful information: This is an 18-month grant-funded post.
Working Relationships
Reporting to: Programme Director or Senior Policy Adviser
Posts this job manages: No line management responsibility.
Other key relationships: Senior Director for International Law and Policy; staff of the Law and Policy Programme, Global Thematic Issues Programme, Gender, Sexuality, and Identity Programme, and Campaigns Programme (including Demand Dignity campaign staff); NGO partners and coalitions; human rights experts.
Department Purpose:
• Provide leadership in the areas of legal standard-setting, developments in international and post-conflict justice, human rights jurisprudence, international humanitarian law, effective implementation of the law and the development and application of human rights policy.
• Provide legal and policy advice and analysis to the International Secretariat and the movement to ensure the accuracy of the analysis and application of law and policy and thus maximizing impact.
• Ensure that Amnesty International maintains its preeminent position in the field of human rights legal and policy analysis. • Develop Amnesty International’s strategic approach to this area of work, on the basis of human rights law, standards, and practice, in order to identify clear and coherent institutional goals and objectives.
• Work with and represent Amnesty International before diverse advocacy constituencies, including in nongovernmental organisations, academia and UN agencies in order to test advocacy arguments and messages and achieve identified objectives.
• Provide authoritative legal and policy advice to Amnesty International staff in order to ensure that Amnesty International documents reflect solid legal thinking and advance progressive interpretations of international law and standards.
• Coordinate the development, translation and wide dissemination of an advocacy toolkit and other materials in order to deliver project objectives and implement Amnesty International’s strategy.
• Coordinate the overall implementation of the project in line with the agreed project plan and provide necessary information for reporting to the donor
- Human rights defenders active in different sectors, including justice, health, women’s rights and children’s rights, have an increased awareness of the importance of human rights arguments and messages relating to the state’s use of criminal sanctions in response to sexuality, reproduction, and drug use.
- There is an increased awareness and government acknowledgment of the human rights requirements in the context of sexuality and reproduction, and relevant governments take public policy action to make their practice consistent with human rights requirements.
- Meaningful contributions to organisational strategies contribute to the identification of clear institutional goals and objectives.
- Effective planning and implementation deliver coherent and targeted strategies and project activities that contribute to Amnesty International priorities and are on budget.
- Well-written materials contain strategic and targeted arguments, messages, and recommendations for action by governments, international governmental organisations, and civil society.
- A strong cross-issue advocacy community and good working relationships with Amnesty International colleagues and strategic partnerships are developed.
- Amnesty International’s membership and partners take effective action in line with identified strategies.
- Amnesty International staff are given high quality advice on human rights law and other international law, domestic legal developments, and the implementation of international standards at the national level.
Skills & Experience
- Expert knowledge of the international human rights legal framework and relevant developments on criminalisation in the context of sexuality and reproduction, gained through significant experience working within or on the sector.
- In-depth knowledge on at least four of the following issues: abortion, same sex sexual conduct, sex outside of marriage, sex work, transmission of HIV, women’s conduct during pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health and rights information provision, and drug use.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse the human rights issues raised by criminalisation and decriminalisation.
- Direct advocacy experience working on criminalisation in context of sexuality and reproduction.
- A) Excellent political judgement, strong analytical skills and the ability to think and plan strategically. B) Ability to think strategically and exercise sound political judgement in developing advocacy arguments and messages for public policy and law reform action.
- Proven experience of developing targeted advocacy messages and using these to undertake national and international advocacy on decriminalisation (lobbying different constituencies for example, law, justice and health).
- Ability to develop advocacy materials and ensure their wide and strategically effective dissemination.
- Experience of working with human rights defenders on the issue.
- Experience of communication and public education in national and international contexts.
- Ability to identify project partners and develop AI's relationship with them with a view to establishing a cross-issue advocacy community on decriminalisation.
- Ability to present ideas clearly and advance compelling arguments in written and spoken English is essential. The ability to work to a high professional standard in one of Arabic or French is highly desirable.
- Strong interpersonal skills including advocacy, negotiating and influencing skills.
Terms and Conditions
Salary: Full time salary of £41,124 per annum in London or $80,555 per annum in New York
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: London or New York
Contract duration: Fixed term contract of 18 months in duration
Holidays: Full time staff receive 27 days per annum plus two Amnesty International grace day and statutory and national public holidays.
Office hours: 09.30 - 17.30 or 10.00 - 18.00 by arrangement
Life insurance: Amnesty International provide a Death in Service benefit of 4 x gross salary.
Pension: After six consecutive months of service staff are automatically enrolled in the Amnesty International Superannuation Scheme. This is a defined contribution to which Amnesty International contributes 7.5% of gross salary and will match individual employee contributions up to an additional 3%.
Probation: A six month probation period will be included in the contract for this position.
Health and Safety: All staff are required to comply with Amnesty International's policy and rules relating to Health and Safety and its security regulations at work. Equality and diversity is at the core of our values and staff, volunteers and interns are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. Public or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal association or other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with AI's principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a security concern, or otherwise prevent the candidate from carrying out key functions of the specific post and would therefore disqualify the candidate from being appointed. 18-Jan-2012
TO APPLY PLEASE VISIT https://sjobs.brassring.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_jobdetail.asp?partnerid=25219&siteid=5255&jobid=842322
Call for Papers
The New England Journal of International & Comparative Law
CALL FOR PAPERS
Topic: International Criminal Court (ICC)
Calling all authors:
The New England Journal of International and Comparative Law is currently accepting
articles relating to the International Criminal Court to mark the 10th anniversary of the entry
into force of the Rome Statute in July 2012. We are reaching out to those with experience in
this area. We would greatly appreciate if you have an article you would care to submit to the
New England Journal of International and Comparative Law relating to the ICC.
The Journal is currently looking for preferably articles ranging from 10-15 pages in length,
5,000 to 7,500 words. Issues we would want to address in the journal include (i) Has the ICC
met the interests of the Victims, in particular in terms of representation; (ii) The perspective
of defense counsel; (iii) the true extent of Prosecutorial discretion; (iv) the success and
failings of the first cases; and (v) State cooperation. We are also interested in papers
analyzing the role of the UN Security Council in enabling the work of the ICC over the past
decade and the challenge posed by the stance of the United States. We would be willing to
discuss other topic ideas that an author may have.
The articles from this call for submission will be published by the Spring or Summer of
2012. We request that any articles be completed and submitted to the New England Journal
of International and Comparative Law by February 1, 2012. Additionally, we may invite
authors to come to speak at the New England School of Law located in Boston in March of
2012 to discuss their articles. All submissions and questions should be directed to the
Journal' s email account at nejicl@gmail. com.
Warmest regards,
Alicia Kimi
Lead Articles Editor 2011-2012
New England Journal of Intemational and Comparative Law
New England School of Law, Juris Doctor Candidate2012
Texas Tech University Center for Biodefense, Law &Public Policy along with the Journal of Biosecurity, Biosafety, and Biodefense Law Announce the First Annual Writing Competition.
Topic: A current event within the biodefense community and its potential impact on the laws and regulations governing biodefense.
Prizes: First Place: $700 award, the winning article will be published in the Journal of Biosecurity, Biosafety, and Biodefense Law, as well as the option to present at the Biodefense Center Symposium. Second Place: $200 award. Third Place: $100 award. Additionally, all submissions have the potential of being read and judged by leading authorities in the Biodefense field.
Deadline: April 1, 2012. Winners will be announced May 2012
For additional information see attachments, visit our website at www.ttu.edu/biodefense/<http://www.ttu.edu/biodefense/>, or email us at biodefe...@ttu.edu<mailto:biodefe...@ttu.edu>