UN Refugee Agency - Regional Representation for Western Europe, Brussels
Legal Intern
Deadline for application: 6 January 2016

The Regional Protection Support Unit of the UN Refugee Agancy seeks an intern to start by beginning February 2017 in Brussels for a six-month unpaid internship.

The intern should have an in-depth knowledge of German, a Masters in Law, with an excellent command of written and spoken English.  French is desirable but not essential. Evidence of previous experience or a strong interest in refugee matters or human rights is appreciated.

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Brussels Office
Legal Internship
Deadline for application: 31 December 2016 

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees offers assistance and protection to refugees around the world. UNHCR is one of the largest refugee agencies, with a staff of 10.700 employees who help some 65 million people in over 128 countries.

The Protection Unit for Belgium and Luxembourg seeks a legal intern for a six-month unpaid internship.

Institute for Human Rights and the Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics, Åbo Akademi University, Finland
Master's degree programme in International Human Rights Law 2017-2019 
Deadline for application: 13 January 2017 

This programme is offered by the Institute for Human Rights and the Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics at Åbo Akademi University. The Institute is an internationally renowned academic institute which specializes in advanced human rights research and provision of education. 

The Master’s Degree Programme in International Human Rights Law is designed to prepare its graduates for challenging human rights careers in international organizations, non-governmental organizations and public administration. It will also provide the requisite background for advanced human rights law research. Successful completion of this two-year full-time programme results in the award of a Master of Social Sciences (M. Soc. Sc.) degree.

Utrecht University, the Netherlands
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Human Rights
14 November 2016

On 14 November Utrecht University will launch a new MOOC about ‘Human Rights for Open Societies - An Introduction to the European Convention on Human Rights’. This MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) will be offered on Coursera. Antoine Buyse, Professor of Human Rights and Janneke Gerards, Professor of Fundamental Rights Law, both at the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM) and connected to the strategic research theme Institutions for Open Societies of Utrecht University, will offer the participants an introduction to one of the world’s most intricate human rights systems: the European Convention on Human Rights. This human rights treaty is one of the most successful tools for protecting human dignity, and it is a crucial tool to achieving an open society.

Utrecht University School of Law (The Netherlands)
PhD Researchers

The Lisbon Treaty (2009) has set new goals for judicial cooperation between member states of the European Union (EU) with an eye to providing effective legal remedies and fundamental rights protection. This cooperation is stimulated by the European Commission’s agenda (e.g. judicial training) and practices of ‘transnational borrowing’ between courts in the EU. However, it remains unclear to what extent national judicial cultures, i.e. ideas and practices regarding judging and judicial organisation which have developed over time, can and should converge into a shared ‘European judicial culture’.

The Utrecht University School of Law will be appointing two PhD researchers in law within the NWO Vidi project ‘Old, New, Borrowed and Blue: A Comparative Analysis of European Judicial Culture(s)’, headed by Prof. Dr. Elaine Mak. The project is connected with the research activities of Utrecht University’s Montaigne Centre for Judicial Administration and Conflict Resolution.

European Roma Information Office (ERIO), Brussels
Full-time internships 
Deadline for application: 23 October 2016 

The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) is an international advocacy organisation that promotes political and public discussion on Roma issues by providing factual and in-depth information on a range of policy issues to European Union institutions, Roma civil organisations, governmental authorities and intergovernmental bodies.

ERIO is looking for motivated interns (students only) to join its team in Brussels. It has vacancies for full-time internships starting on 5 January 2017 and 3 April 2017 lasting between 3-6 months.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), London and Paris
Researcher
Deadline for application: 15 October 2016

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.

The Europe and Central Asia Division of Human Rights Watch is seeking highly-qualified applicants for the position of Researcher on Counterterrorism and Extremism in Western Europe. The Europe and Central Asia Division is part of the Program Office. The Program Office consists of regional and thematic divisions and oversees research, reporting and various other work. The Researcher will investigate the human rights implications of counterterrorism and extremism in developments in Western Europe and the wider European Union as part of a small team. This position reports to the Deputy Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division, based in the London Office. This position will be based in London or Paris.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), Geneva
Intern
Deadline for application: as soon as possible

Human Rights Watch (HRW) Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions. 

HRW is seeking applicants to intern with the Geneva Advocacy team. The Geneva-based internship will focus on the activities of the advocacy team before, during and after the 34th Human Rights Council session and 26th and 27th Universal Periodic Review, as well as various Treaty Body reviews and other meetings. Ideally, the candidate will intern for three months starting in the Winter 2016, with a possibility for extension, and intern five days a week with flexible hours.

SUTYAJNIK, Yekaterinburg (Russia)
VIII Urals Human Rights School 'Private life: International and national legal standards'
22 - 25 September 2016

The URALS Human Rights School is an international event that takes place twice a year. It consists of a conference, round table discussions and a 3-5 days training session for young human rights professionals. It is organized by Sutyajnik, a regional non-governmental organization that provides legal defence to Russian citizens who have been denied rights guaranteed to them under the Russian Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.

The theme of the upcoming school is 'Private life: International and national legal standards' and will cover the following topics:
• Privacy and private life in prisons - balance of State interest and private interests (rehabilitation as a right to family life, right to conjugal meetings, rights to artificial insemination, health issues, etc).
• Privacy and private and family life in transplantology - the issue of presumed consent to donation of organs.
• Privacy of correspondence and state security (Roman Zakharov v. Russia on mobile phone interception by FSB).
• Balancing Privacy and Freedom of Expression.
• Private life of homosexual couples and trans people.
• European standards of private and family life protection.
• Russia, Germany, Switzerland, France and the right to privacy under the ECHR.
• How to make a journalist interested in human rights case? How to communicate your work with, without and instead of a journalist?

The full agenda is available here.

If you are not participating, you can watch sessions online live or on demand.

International Federation for Human Rights, Paris
Internship at FIDH Globalisation and Human Rights Desk
Deadline for application: 22 September 2016

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is an international NGO. It defends all human rights – civil, political, economic, social and cultural – as contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

FIDH offers a 3 months internship (starting end of September 2016) at its Globalisation and Human Rights Desk. The intern will be based at the headquarters of FIDH Secretariat in Paris.

International Criminal Court, The Hague
Internship - Victims Participation and Reparations Section
Deadline for applications: 1 October 2016

Organisational context
The Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS) is a section of the Registry which specialises in dealing with victims’ participation and reparations. The VPRS mandate is to facilitate victims’ participation and reparations by informing victims of their rights before the ICC, assisting them in filling in an application form for participation in the proceedings and/or for reparations, and by assisting the Judges with the preliminary processing and analysis of victims’ applications whenever required. The VPRS is also responsible for organising the common legal representation of victims whenever needed. The VPRS establishes systems both in the field and in the Hague to manage and process information received from victims, to file it in the relevant judicial proceedings together with reports for Chambers and to respond to any instructions that may be issued by Chambers relating to participating victims or their applications throughout the proceedings.  To this end, its activities include, inter alia: selection and training of intermediaries and elaboration and dissemination of key messages in the field; processing of victims’ applications (which involves registration, data entry, legal assessment and redactions ); preparing filings for the transmission of victims’ applications to the parties and to Chambers; legally analysing information received from or concerning victims; preparing reports on participation and/or on reparations issues before Chambers, upon request or on a proprio motu basis; organising common legal representation for victims and preparing reports thereon; and facilitating victims’ interaction with their legal representatives. In addition, the VPRS responds to orders from Chambers, requests from the legal representatives of victims, requests for input from other Sections of the Registry and assistance to the Trust Fund for Victims whenever necessary.

EuroMed Rights / Réseau Euro-méditerranéen des droits de l'Homme, Paris
Advocacy and Communication Internship
Deadline for application: 18 September 2016

About EuroMed Rights 
The mission of EuroMed Rights is to promote and strengthen human rights and democratic reform in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Rooted in civil society, the network develops and strengthens partnerships between non-governmental organisations (NGOs), disseminates human rights values, advocates for them and increases the capabilities of local partners in this regard. 

The France office of EuroMed Rights / Réseau Euro-méditerranéen des droits de l’Homme (REMDH) is looking for an intern for a period of 6 months, starting on 1st October 2016.

The internship will be an opportunity for the intern to develop his/her knowledge on the situation of human rights in the euro-Mediterranean region and on international instruments for the protection of human rights defenders.

Assembly of States Parties at the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC), The Hague (The Netherlands)
Legal intern
Deadline for application: As soon as possible

About the CICC
The Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) includes more than 2,500 civil society organizations in 150 different countries working in partnership to strengthen international cooperation with the ICC; ensure that the Court is fair, effective and independent; make justice both visible and universal; and advance stronger national laws that deliver justice to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The Assembly of States Parties
The CICC coordinates the activities of NGOs during the annual session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), which will take place from 16 until 24 November 2016 in The Hague, The Netherlands. The ASP will take vital decisions on the functioning of the ICC. With hundreds of representatives, NGOs make up the largest delegation at the ASP. 

The Internship
For assistance during the ASP meeting, the CICC is looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are interested in attending an international conference and contributing to the work of one of the world’s largest NGO networks. The Legal Intern will attend ASP sessions and provide support to the Legal Section by taking notes and minutes of meetings and preparing documents, among other tasks. The intern will also assist in accommodating members attending the ASP as needed.

European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC)
Training Seminar for International Electoral Observers
Module I: 7 - 9 November 2016
Module II: 10 - 12 November 2016
Deadline for early bird registration: 16 September 2016
Deadline for registration: 7 October 2016

Open and legitimate elections are the indispensable foundation for sustainable development and an effective democracy. Actions supporting the right to participate in genuine elections can play a major role in sustaining peace, security and conflict prevention. Support takes the form of electoral assistance projects and election observation missions. This requires skilled and trained observers.

Target
The two modules are devoted to those applicants with no experience in election observation or to those observers who have participated to a maximum of two missions as short term observers. 

Eligibility
Lectures are conceived for an audience of graduates mainly in Law, Political Sciences, Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology or similar who want to address international election observation from a multi-disciplinary approach that will be useful in further engagements on the field. 

Training language
All courses will be held in English. It is, therefore, essential that all participants understand and speak English fluently.

Fee
Enrolment fee for each module amounts to € 450,00 with no accommodation or € 600,00 with accommodation for 3 nights.
Enrolment fee for both modules amounts to € 750,00 with no accommodation or € 1000,00 with accommodation for 6 nights.

More information on the training seminars for International Electoral Observers and the programme can be found here.

Institut International des Droits de l'Homme - Strasbourg, Higher School of Economics - Moscow and School of Political Science - University of Bologna
Winter School - Human Rights as a Horizontal Issue in EU External Policy
9 - 13 January 2017, University of Bologna (Italy)
Deadline for registration: 2 December 2016 

The Winter School will be focused on the EU’s external policy and its role in the promotion and respect of human rights worldwide through specific sessions: 
• The EU External Action and Human Rights
• The EU and the UN; The EU and the CoE
• 'Developing' Human Rights-based Relations
• Priorities in a Human Rights External Strategy. 

The programme and the application form are available here.

Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya
Online course 'Introduction to international protection of human rights'
3 - 31 October 2016

The online course 'Introduction to international protection of human rights' organized by the Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya (IDHC) will examine the process of internationalization of human rights at the universal level, from an essentially normative perspective. It will discuss the foundations and evolution of human rights and study the main international human rights protection instruments, with a specific focus on the United Nations and European systems. The existence of these instruments and mechanisms is often unknown by citizens and they are underutilised in the guarantee and protection of human rights. This course aims to increase students’ skills and knowledge in order for them to be used within their fields of work.
The course is offered in English. The number of places is limited to 30. The course fee is € 150.

From 2 November - 2 December 2016, IDHC organizes another online course on the subject of 'The European Court of Human Rights: functioning, procedure for applying to the Court and its case-law'. If you enroll in both courses, you will benefit from a 20% discount on the total cost of the two courses.

• More information

Inter-American & European Human Rights Journal
Call for papers
Deadline for submission: 31 August 2016

The Journal
The Inter-American & European Human Rights Journal (IAEHRJ) aims to offer an international platform for research in the field of human rights of relevance for (Latin) America, Europe and Africa. Situated on the crossroads between the continents, the Journal is well-placed to be a venue of critical analysis from scholars and practitioners in the field of human rights.

Established in 2007, the IAEHRJ has been internationally growing as a reputable reference within the academic world and outside, distinguishing itself for its quality and interdisciplinary character that has attracted the interest of authors from all over the globe.

The theme
For its 2017/1 Issue the IAEHRJ proposes the theme of 'Migration and Human Rights'.

More than two hundred million people currently live outside their country of origin. Migration flows comprise workers, asylum seekers, students, undocumented migrants and others. In a globalised world defined by deep disparities, skill shortages, demographic imbalances, climate change as well as economic and political crises, natural and man-made disasters, migration has been affecting every society and every region of the world. Migration is therefore a human phenomenon inherent in the international community, and as such, it requires a human rights approach which situates the migrant at the centre of migration management. The universality of human rights is in fact challenged in the context of migration: asylum seekers may be deprived of access to refugee status and consequent secondary rights, migrants may not enjoy the same rights as nationals, and undocumented migrants may be deprived of access to even basic human rights. International human rights law systems are thus called on to assure that any person has access to fundamental rights. A human rights based approach to migration is required to analyse inequalities which lie at the heart of migration problems and redress discriminatory practices and unjust distributions of power that impede respect of migrants. This promotes empowering migrants to participate in policy formulation and hold accountable those who have a duty to act.

The topics
Against this thematic background, the IAEHRJ Editorial Board invites papers that contribute to the ongoing debate on the correlation between migration and human rights. Topics that papers may wish to address include:

Topic 1 - Health and Migration
The health of migrants and health matters associated with migration are crucial public challenges faced by governments and societies. It is expected that contributions on this topic unravel issues including the interpretation and enforcement of the right to health of migrants and their access to healthcare, including also the underlying determinants of health.

Topic 2 - Migration and Development
Migration and development are interdependent processes. Migration in the development context relates both to people who have chosen to move of their own accord, and forced migrants. It is expected that contributions on this topic explore issues including socio-economic and cultural rights of migrants, inclusion/integration of migrants in host societies and their contribution to economic, social and cultural development of societies in the country of origin.

Topic 3 - Migration and Vulnerability
In M.S.S. v. Belgium and Greece (2011) the European Court of Human Rights stressed that asylum seekers are a special vulnerable group. Indeed migrants in general can find themselves in a situation of vulnerability due to different factors: rejection of asylum application; expirations of residence permit, lack of an effective remedy, detention, forced returns. It is expected that contributions on this topic disclose to what extent and how vulnerability is recognized in the context of migration and to look at the consequences of this vulnerability and possible remedies.

The process
Abstracts of no more than 300 words, including a short biographical sketch of the author with e-mail address and affiliation, must be submitted in English or Spanish in PDF format to ugenthrc@yahoo.com by 31 August 2016. 

Authors must state clearly in their abstract the research question(s) that they would like to address and indicate to which of the three proposed topics their abstracts relate. Please also mention 'Call for Issue 1/2017' in the e-mail subject. Outcomes of the selection will be notified to the authors by 15 September 2016.

The outcome
Authors of selected abstracts will be required to send a full article that should not exceed 10.000 words in length, including footnotes, by 30 November 2016. All manuscripts must conform with the author guidelines of the Journal. 

Submissions must not be previously-published or submitted for publication elsewhere in order to be considered for inclusion in this volume. 

Any questions?
Questions about this call can be directed to Clara Burbano Herrera, Editor in Chief, Inter-American & European Human Rights Journal at Clara.BurbanoHerrera@UGent.be or Salvo Nicolosi at Salvo.Nicolosi@UGent.be.

Privacy International (PI), London
Policy Officers
Deadline for application: 20 July 2016

Privacy International (PI) is looking for two new Policy Officers. One role will focus on the Global South, engaging with national, regional and international institutions; while the other will focus on the companies, regulators and countries that set standards internationally.

In its multi-year strategic plan, PI is pushing for surveillance reform, building a global movement with emphasis on work in the Global South, and challenging the exploitation of data. PI is looking for people to join its dynamic organisation to hold government and industry to account and demand meaningful protections and safeguards for people everywhere. PI urgently needs to develop and promote policies that are centred on empowering individuals, placing them in control over their data. Technology underpins much of our lives and we need to ensure it empowers people and does not betray them.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Legal intern - French speaker with German or Letzeburgish
Deadline for application: 4 July 2016

The Protection Unit for Belgium and Luxembourg of the Regional Representation for Western Europe seeks a native French-speaking intern with a start date of 19 September 2016 in Luxembourg for a six-month unpaid internship.

The intern should be a native French speaker, preferably with a Masters in Law, with an excellent command of written and spoken English. A knowledge of German and/or Luxembourgish will be considered an asset. Evidence of previous experience or a strong interest in refugee matters or human rights is appreciated.

Dejustica & Global School on Socioeconomic Rights
Intensive Course on Social Rights 2016 – Latin-America in the Global Context Bogota - Colombia
24-28 October 2016
Deadline for application: 24 July 2016

This exciting course, organized by the Center for Law, Justice and Society (Dejusticia) and the Global School of Social Rights, offers advanced training in litigation, research, law and innovative strategies for implementing social rights. The training will be guided by academics and jurists who are recognized in Latin America and other regions, providing conceptual, doctrinal and socio-legal tools to understand and promote the implementation of social and economic rights nationally, regionally and globally. The course is part of the series of the Global School of Social Rights, which is held in different regions of the world. The course will be taught in Spanish and will include plenary sessions, discussions in small groups based on the interests of students, and a simulation exercise. It is aimed at graduate students, activists, litigants, academics, judges and public policy makers.

Registration fee
The registration fee is $800 USD per participant, which includes the cost of registration, course materials and coffee, a welcome dinner and a farewell event. Participants are responsible for any other expenses. Once your participation in the course has been con_rmed, registration fees must be paid by August 31, 2016. After this date, participants who have paid, but for some reason can no longer participate, can apply for a refund. All refund requests will be charged a $100 USD administrative handling fee.

Funding
There are 10 partial scholarships to cover the cost of tuition, travel, and or stay. Applicants who wish to be considered for these scholarships must submit a letter of recommendation and indicate the reasons for requiring financial assistance. Scholarships will be prioritized for applicants from Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia with experience in social activism and community work.

University of Barcelona and Middlesex University
Summer Course 'The refugee crisis and the EU's response - Context management and challenges'
18 - 22 July 2016
Deadline for application: 15 July 2016

The Summer Course is a joint effort of the University of Barcelona and the Middlesex University and will take place in Barcelona. The course is designed to provide participants with an understanding of the current refugee crisis , which will be examined from a range of disciplinary perspectives including law, sociology and political science.

Classes will be given by professors and professionals in the field of refugee, asylum and migration from different European universities and organizations and will be complemented by practical exercises, debates and research work. All classes will be in English. At the end of the course, participants will be asked to write a report and will receive a certificate of participation.

Human Rights Law Centre, University of Nottingham
Summer School 2016 - The Rights of the Child
27 June-1 July 2016
Deadline for application: 1 June 2016

The objective of this exciting programme organised by the Human Rights Law Centre of the University of Nottingham is to consider issues concerning the rights of the child that are a matter of current legal, political and societal attention, both internationally and comparatively. These include violence against children, refugee children, child participation, child poverty, business and children's rights, and child rights monitoring and advocacy.

The Summer School will examine international and regional child rights law, including the work of the international courts and treaty monitoring bodies mandated to consider violations of the rights of the child.

The Summer School is strongly participatory. The training methods include Q and A and group exercises. The working language for the Summer School is English. All participants will receive an extensive electronic file of resource materials. The Summer School faculty for 2016 are all highly experienced international experts on child rights, with backgrounds in advocacy, research and practice.

Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya (IDHC)
Introduction to International Protection of Human Rights
1 June - 12 June 2016 and 13 - 24 June 2016 

Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya (IDHC) has developed the course 'Introduction to International Protection of Human Rights'. It is a virtual course taught in English about the internationalization of human rights and the main systems of protection at the international level.

L'Université de Strasbourg
Ecole d'été 'Le secret'
29 août - 2 septembre 2016
Appel à candidatures jusqu'au 15 juin 2016

La Faculté de droit, la Fédération de Recherche L’Europe en mutation et l’Ecole doctorale 101 de l’Université de Strasbourg organisent du 29 août au 2 septembre 2016 une école d’été sur le thème 'Le secret'.

Alors que le secret apparaît protecteur dans la sphère privée, il est contesté dans la sphère publique. La transparence est aujourd’hui considérée comme une vertu cardinale des sociétés démocratiques, y compris dans le domaine du droit dans lequel apparaissent des exigences relatives à l’obligation de transparence opposées aux autorités publiques. Le secret est de plus en plus souvent traité comme une dissimulation néfaste ou suspecte, quand bien même il pourrait être légitime et nécessaire à la protection d’intérêts fondamentaux.

Irish Centre for Human Rights, National University of Ireland Galway
International Criminal Court Summer School
27 June - 1 July 2016
Deadline for registration: 10 June 2016

The International Criminal Court is arguably the most important international institution since the establishment of the United Nations. The aim of the International Criminal Court is to combat impunity for atrocities and it is at the forefront of a broader movement for achieving accountability.

The ICC Summer School at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland Galway is the premier summer school on the International Criminal Court. The summer school takes place over five days and includes intensive lectures by leading specialists on the subject as well as social activities. This interactive and stimulating course is suited to postgraduate students, legal professionals, scholars and NGO workers. Participants are provided with a detailed working knowledge of the establishment of the Court, its structures and operations, and the applicable law. Lectures also speak to related issues in international criminal law, including: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, the crime of aggression, jurisdiction, fair trial rights, and the rules of procedure and evidence.

This year’s ICC Summer School will include a special session on victims at the International Criminal Court.

Please note that a limited number of scholarships are available. More information can be found on our General Information page.

Poznań Human Rights Center and Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland
Summer Course 'Refugees and Migrants in International Human Rights Law'
22 - 31 August 2016
Deadline for application: 31 May 2016 

Poznań Human Rights Center and Adam Mickiewicz University are pleased to announce the 25th edition of the Summer Course that will take place in Poznań on 22-31 August 2016. The programme focuses on legal aspects of the situation of refugees and migrants – a problem of growing importance in both Europe and worldwide. It has both an academic profile and aims to develop practical skills.

The Course is dedicated to activists in the field of human rights, NGO workers and volunteers, lawyers, researchers and advanced students from all over the world.
More information information can be found on the Poznań Human Rights Center website.

Human Rights Centre, University of Essex
PhD Studentship on Health and Human Rights
Deadline for application: 31 May 2016 

The Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project, housed at the Human Rights Centre of the University of Essex, is seeking applications for a PhD studentship to undertake research concerned with health and human rights. This studentship includes research into:
• The degree to which interventions such as e-health and m-health can contribute to the practical delivery of health rights;
• Whether or not big data, including Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, can help accountability bodies, such as UN human rights treaty-bodies and national human rights institutions, hold duty-bearers to account in relation to health rights;
• An examination of the evidence, including big data, that human rights contribute to health gains.

The studentship will be under the supervision of Professor Paul Hunt and Dr Linsey McGoey. Professor Sonia Bhalotra will also provide guidance and support. The successful candidate will work with their supervisors and the Work Stream Team to develop their precise PhD project. Funding packages are available, subject to eligibility.

More information about the studentship can be found on the Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project website. 

Institute for Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University, Turku/Åbo, Finland
Advanced Course on Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Theory and Practice
21 - 25 November 2016
Deadline for application: 14 August 2016

The Institute for Human Rights of the Åbo Akademi University organises the Advanced Course on Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in cooperation with the Socio-Economic Rights and Administrative Justice Project, University of Stellenbosch Law Faculty, South Africa, and the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights at the University of Oslo. The course is part of the programme of the Global School on Socio-economic Rights.
This one-week intensive course offers participants an opportunity to develop specialist-level knowledge in the field of economic, social and cultural rights (ESC rights), with a particular focus on justiciability at the national, regional and international level. It draws on a wealth of material from across the world in order to analyse existing institutionalised practices of interpretation and implementation of ESC rights, and focuses on theoretical questions and practical issues, such as effective strategies and the impact of adjudication. The course is conducted in English, and is composed of lectures, seminars, group discussions and assignments, participant case analyses and an optional written examination.

Centre for Human Rights & Legal Pluralism, McGill University (Canada)
Arnold & Blema Steinberg Postdoctoral Fellowships in International Migration Law and Policy
Deadline for application: 30 April 2016

The McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism is a focal point for innovative legal and interdisciplinary research, dialogue, and outreach on human rights and legal pluralism. The Centre's mission is to provide students, professors and the larger community with a locus of intellectual and physical resources for engaging critically with how law impacts upon some of the most compelling social problems of our modern era. The Centre is delighted to be able to offer two Postdoctoral Research Fellowships beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year. The vision and generosity of the Steinberg Foundation is at the heart of this new and exciting opportunity. 

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowships will be funded by the Arnold and Blema Steinberg Foundation and the appointment(s) shall be for an initial duration of one year with a possibility of renewal for one more year. 

European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR)
Scholarship for the Legal Training Program
Deadline for application: 15 May 2016

Starting a career in international human rights work can require more than just having the requisite passion, motivation and skills. The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) and the Kreuzberger Kinderstiftung, the scholarship sponsor, recognize this. There continue to be barriers to entry into the profession that go against the spirit of our work, i.e. when economic or social considerations prevent potential participants from taking part in our programs.

With this in mind, the Kreuzberger Kinderstiftung scholarship for ECCHR’s Legal Training Program offers young people with limited financial means and/or from underrepresented geographic and social backgrounds the chance to gain professional experience in human rights work.

University of Geneva
Geneva Summer Schools: 'Children at the heart of Human Rights'
6 - 17 June 2016
Deadline for application: 1 May 2016

Geneva has long been one of the world’s capitals of international law and the headquarters of international institutions dedicated to human rights. This inspiring context naturally has led to one of the core strengths of the University of Geneva to be within the domain of international human rights laws and policies.

The Summer School ‘Children at the Heart of Human Rights’ is a unique opportunity for students and young professionals to engage with leading experts in a dynamic scientific interdisciplinary environment. It is the perfect academic and professional preparation experience for those students interested in children’s rights and international human rights organizations.

Open Society Foundations, Budapest, London, New York
Aryeh Neier Fellowship Program
Deadline for application: 24 April 2016

The Open Society Justice Initiative, part of the Open Society Foundations, uses law to protect and empower people around the world. Through litigation, advocacy, research, and technical assistance, the Justice Initiative promotes human rights and builds legal capacity for open societies. The Justice Initiative fosters accountability for international crimes, combats racial discrimination and statelessness, supports criminal justice reform and accountability for atrocity crimes, addresses abuses related to national security and counterterrorism, expands freedom of information and expression, and stems corruption linked to the exploitation of natural resources. 

The Open Society Justice Initiative (the Justice Initiative) is pleased to invite applications for its 2017-2018 Aryeh Neier Fellowship Program, a two-year program of practical work experience designed to expand the capacity of lawyers and advocates working internationally on human rights issues by embedding them as an integral part of the Justice Initiative.

Inclusion Europe, Brussels
Policy Officer
Deadline for application: 25 April 2016

Inclusion Europe is the European Association of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families. The association fights for equal rights and full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in all aspects of life.

Inclusion Europe has a vacancy for a Policy Officer.

National University of Ireland, Galway
8th International Disability Law Summer School: 'The New Politics of Disability – Civil Society Impacting Change Throughout the World'
20 - 24 June 2016 

Registration is now open for the biggest Summer School in the world with a focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

This year the School will focus on many examples of creativity in civil society throughout the world in making the most of the ‘new politics of disability’ for change made possible by the UN disability treaty. It will explore examples of how civil society is using the convention to bring about change, how civil society is achieving higher impact by working through and with other agents of change including human rights commissions and new university-based legal clinics. Examples will come from Peru, Georgia, Argentina, China and more. And it will also examine the new more restrictive environment throughout the world for civil society and its implications for disability DPOs. As is usual, the Summer School will also expose the participants to the basics of the Convention and how it can be used on the ground. The Summer School will also feature its popular Moot Court exercise which will be presided over by a member of the Irish Supreme Court.

Human Rights Centre, University of Padova (Italy)
MA Degree Programme in Human Rights and Multi-level Governance
Deadline for application: 22 April 2016

This Master’s Degree, taught in English, provides students with the knowledge and skills required to protect and promote human rights in multi-level governance contexts. Students learn how to analyse, assess and manage complex political and socio-economic phenomena and their impact on the fundamental rights of all persons, mainly the most vulnerable ones. The scientific and value-based paradigm adopted is rooted in the principles of the international law of human rights, according to a transnational and transcultural approach. The curriculum is inherently multi-disciplinary and nurtures students’ interdisciplinary abilities.

All the information about the MA Course, including the admission procedures and deadlines are available here.

Netherlands Committee of Jurists for Human Rights (NJCM), Amsterdam
PILP Project Assistant 
Deadline for application: 2 May 2016 

The Netherlands Committee of Jurists for Human Rights (NJCM) is the Dutch section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). It seeks to promote and protect human rights in the Netherlands. The NJCM critically monitors legislation and policy in the Netherlands, including foreign policy, for compliance with national, European and international human rights standards. When necessary the NJCM writes commentaries on national policy documents and draft legislation to lobby for human rights protection in Parliament. In May 2014 the NJCM started with the Public Interest Litigation Project (PILP). This is a two-year pilot with which NJCM explores the possibilities of strategic litigation in the field of human rights in the Netherlands. PILP is looking for a Project Assistant (4/5).

Human Rights Centre, University of Essex, UK
Senior Research Officer
Deadline for application: 28 April 2016

The Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project, housed at the Human Rights Centre of the University of Essex, is seeking to recruit a senior research officer to work on a new project on the human rights implications of ICT and big data.

Fair Trials Europe, Brussels
Legal and Policy Officer
Deadline for application: 29 April 2016

Fair Trials is an international human rights NGO, which exists to build respect for the human right to a fair trial in criminal cases. It pursues its vision of a world where every person’s right to a fair trial is respected by: providing information and referrals to accused people; coordinating a growing network of fair trial defenders and delivering legal training; and tackling the big issues in criminal justice through research, campaigns, policy work and litigation.

Fair Trials currently has a vacancy for a full time Legal and Policy Officer.

European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC)
2016 Venice Academy of Human Rights: Backlash against Human Rights?
4-13 July 2016, Monastery of San Nicolò, Venice - Lido (Italy)
Deadline for application: 29 May 2016. 'Early birds' registration until 17 April 2016

The Venice Academy of Human Rights is a centre of excellence for human rights education, research and debate. It forms part of the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) which is an internationally leading institution for research and education.

Backlash against Human Rights?
International and regional human rights systems have witnessed remarkably outspoken critiques that emphasise a movement back towards the nation State and national sovereignty. The European Court of Human Rights is occasionally openly criticised, if not attacked, for overstepping its competencies and intervening in national affairs. National supreme courts reassert their own status and authority. In addition, fundamental freedoms have been restricted in the name of security and greater national interests. We are also witnessing a new radicalisation of politics that sheds doubts both economically and socially on the viability of the European Union and on other regional integration projects.

The 2016 Venice Academy of Human Rights looks at these developments from an institutional, legal, political and interdisciplinary perspective. Lectures and seminars by the distinguished faculty focus on the expansion and resistance to human rights obligations, counter-terrorist laws and policies, restrictions of civil liberties, processes of exclusion and redistribution in society, and the legitimacy crisis of human rights courts.

At the end of the programme, participants receive a Certificate of Attendance issued by the Venice Academy of Human Rights.

All information on the The 2016 Venice Academy of Human Rights can be found here.