Human Rights Day 2018

On the occasion of 2018 Human Rights Day, AUWCL's Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law would like to highlight what our Co-Directors, Co-Chairs, and the diverse faculty of our programs have done in 2018 to promote international human rights worldwide. We look forward to continue the work in 2019, and invite you to join us in advancing this worthy cause!

Tribute at Inter-American System of Human Rights ForumThe Inter-American Court and Commission on Human Rights have paid tribute to Professor Robert K. Goldman, Co-Chair of the Academy, during the 2nd IASHR Forum in Bogotá, Colombia. The forum was attended by several high-ranking authorities and Professor Goldman, a former IACHR commissioner, was honored due to his lifelong commitment to defend human rights

Roundtable: Hemisphere in Crisis?The Academy hosted the panel "Hemisphere in Crisis? The Dire Human Rights Situation in Venezuela & Nicaragua" with Paulo Abrão, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; Katya Salazar, Executive Director of DPLF; Francisco Quintana Program Director at CEJIL; and Andrés González, WCL Visiting Scholar and former Colombian Ambassador to the OAS

Sessions of UN Committee Against TortureAcademy's Co-Director, Professor Diego Rodríguez-Pinzón participated in three different sessions of the UN Committee Against Torture. During the Committee's 65th Period of Sessions, celebrated between November and December 2018, Professor Pinzón addressed the State Party delegates from Peru and Guatemala appearing before the CAT during the first week of meetings.

Recognition by Government of Chile & Espíritu Maccabí AwardAcademy's Co-Chair, Professor and Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman was honored by Chilean President Sebastián Piñera and the Jewish community in Chile with the “Espíritu Maccabí Award”, for his work promoting human rights. He will also be honored by the Chilean Senate, in recognition for his successful role as Agent (Chief Lawyer) representing Chile before the ICJ.

Amicus Brief before the Supreme Court of PeruIn November, Professor Claudia Martin, with the cooperation of WCL students Santiago Martínez Neira (LL.M.), and Zuleika Rivera (JD), submitted an amicus brief before the Supreme Court of Peru in the appeal to review the pardon granted to Alberto Fujimori by former President Pedro Kuczynski.

GQUAL Podcasts for Parity 2.0In collaboration with the GQUAL Campaign, the Academy launched a new edition of its "Podcasts for Parity" series. Each capsule raises issues touched upon by GQUAL as it charts a path to parity in international justice, and features some of their most prominent strategic advisers and supporters.

International Day of the Victims of Enforced DisappearancesIn commemoration of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the Academy interviewed Professor Maria Clara Galvis, Vice-Chair of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances. In this episode of our“Human Rights Voices” podcast, Professor Galvis discusses Committee actions and challenges, the role of the State in response to families and victims, and more.

2018 Human Rights MonthFrom June 30 to June 15, the Academy hosted the 2018 Human Rights Month. We coordinated 11 panels on prominent issues, three of which were co-sponsored by the American Society of International Law (ASIL). A human rights film series also featured two screenings followed by discussions led by experts in human rights.

Amicus Curiae in El SalvadorOur Co-Director, Professor Claudia Martin, together with Professor Susana SáCouto, Director of WCL's War Crimes Research Office, presented an amicus curiae before the San Francisco Court of First Instance in El Salvador. The amicus addressed the infamous El Mozote case, where 18 military commanders were accused of having participated in a massacre in December of 1981.

Conference on the 70th Anniversary of the UDHROur Co-Director, Professor Diego Rodríguez-Pinzón spoke at the conference “70 years after the UDHR and American Declaration, how have human rights evolved?” at Universidad de los Andes in Colombia. Panelists included Catalina Botero, Dean of Los Andes School of Law; Alberto Brunori, OHCHR Representative, Michael Camillieri, Inter-American Dialogue; and Carlos Ayala, Professor at UCAB

Appearance before UN Working GroupOn July 25 2018, one of our Co-Directors, Professor Claudia Martin, and CEJIL’s Executive Director, Viviana Krsticevic appeared before the UN Working Group on the issue of Discrimination against Women in Law and Practice at UN Headquarters in NY to present on the GQUAL Campaign and explore avenues of cooperation.

Celebrating 70th Anniversary of the OASOn November 30, Academy's Co-Chair Professor Claudio Grossman participated in the Reflection Forum for the 70th Anniversary of the OAS. Other panelists included former Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza, Acting Secretary General Luigi R. Einaudi, Dr. Lisa Ann Vasciannie, Professor at West Indies University in Jamaica, and Ambassador Carlos Játiva, Permanent Representative of Ecuador

Day to End Impunity for Crimes against JournalistsNovember 2nd marked the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. To remember the date, the Academy interviewed Edison Lanza, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Presidency of the International Commission of Jurists Professor Robert K. Goldman, Co-Chair of the Academy's Advisory Board was elected president of the International Commission of Jurists in August 2018. The ICJ consists of 60 judges and lawyers from around the globe and has worked to advance and uphold the rule of law and human rights worldwide. Professor Goldman was elected commissioner in 2008 and served as vice president beginning in 2014.

Our Feature ProgramsThe Academy engages and educates young lawyers, mid-careers professionals and human rights advocates from around the globe with our annual programs: the LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the Program of Advanced Studies on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, and the Human Rights Essay Award

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