Academy of European Law (ERA)
Seminar on Recent Jurisprudence of the ECtHR in the Area of Criminal Law
Strasbourg, 13 November 2013 – 14 November 2013

The seminar will provide legal practitioners an analysis of the recent case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) with relevance for criminal law and criminal procedure.

Key topics
• Evidence obtained through special investigation techniques (Art. 6 § 1 ECHR, Art. 8 ECHR, Art. 13 ECHR)
• Presumption of innocence (Art.6 § 2 ECHR)
• Rights of the defence and assistance to be provided to the accused (Art. 6 § 3 ECHR)
• Rights of victims in criminal proceedings (Art. 6 ECHR, Art. 13 ECHR)

Academy of European Law (ERA)
Seminar on the Supervision of matters relating to detention: The Council of Europe and international bodies' work in improving conditions
Strasbourg, 14 - 15 November 2013

Contents of the seminar

The seminar will focus on the work of the Council of Europe and international bodies in improving conditions related to detention.

Key topics
• Work of the Council of Europe and its European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) in the field of detention.
• The Council of Europe’s legal body of recommendations, conventions and resolutions, in particular the European Prison Rules.
• UN Optional Protocol against Torture and national preventative mechanisms.
• Alternatives to imprisonment, actions on improving detention conditions and improving prison monitoring coordination among key actors.

World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva
Human Rights Adviser
Deadline for application: 23 September 2013

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defence against transnational threats.

The Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) aims to promote and support an expanded global effort to enable people to protect their own health as it relates to sexuality and reproduction and to have access to and receive health services when needed. To achieve this, the Department advocates and promotes sound public health strategies, sets norms and standards, and supports relevant research. HRP is the main instrument within the United Nations system for promoting, conducting, evaluating and coordinating interdisciplinary research on reproductive health; for collaborating with countries in
enhancing national capacities to conduct this research; for promoting the use of research results in policy-making and planning for reproductive health care; and for the setting of standards and guidelines, including ethical guidelines, in the field of reproductive health research.

WHO is currently emplyoing a Human Rights Adviser to examine and conduct research on the legal and policy environment affecting the realization of sexual and reproductive health, to foster the promotion and protection of human rights related to sexual and reproductive health; to ensure that the work of WHO in the areas of sexual and reproductive health is in line with international human rights agreements, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Paris
Programme Assistant on the Women’s Rights and Migrants’ Rights Desk
Deadline for application: 13 September 2013

Founded in 1922, FIDH is an international human rights movement, bringing together 178 member organizations from over 100 countries. FIDH’s mandate is to contribute to the promotion and protection of the rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Programme Assistant will contribute to the implementation of the activities of the Women’s Rights and Migrants’ Rights Desk. S/he will work under the responsibility of the Executive Management and under the supervision of the Desk Director and Directors of Operations.

The European Convention on Human Rights: The Principle of Non-Discrimination
Winter School
13 - 17 January 2014, Forli, University of Bologna
Deadline for application: 18 November 2013

The Winter School is a joint initiative of the Institut International des Droits de l'Homme (Strasbourg), the High School of Economics (Moscow) and the School of Political Science at the University of Bologna. It will focus on the functioning mechanism of the European Convention on Human Rights and the protection of minorities through the analysis of the prohibition of discrimination.

Number of participants: 30
Credits: 3
Languages: English and French
Admission requirements: Degree, experience in human rights
Fee: €300 (including accommodation), €200 (without accommodation)

Auditors
The Winter School accepts the participation of 12 auditors maximum. Applicants are not required to satisfy the admission requirements (degree, experience in human rights). Auditors will not be awarded with the formative credits given by the Winter School. The fee for auditors is €250 (including accommodation or €150 (without accommodation). All applications are subjected to a comparative selection procedure.

More information
The full programme, call for application and accommodation form can be downloaded here. For further information, please contact Carmelo Danisi at carmelo.danisi2@unibo.it.

Human Rights Watch, Brussels
Deputy Executive Director for Advocacy
Deadline for application: 18 October 2013

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking experienced and highly qualified executive level applicants for the position of Deputy Executive Director for Advocacy. He/she will represent Human Rights Watch in various advocacy settings, oversees its advocates around the world, is a member of HRW’s Executive Management Team (EMT), and serves as the EMT’s representative in Europe. This position reports to the Executive Director of HRW.

European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC)
Training seminar on Human Rights and the environment
21-23 November 2013, Monastery of San Nicolò, Venice Lido (Italy)
Deadline for application: 30 September 2013

The European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) is an interdisciplinary centre of excellence formed by 41 universities from all European Union Member States.

 

The EIUC is organising a seminar, with the patronage and collaboration of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Union (EU), which will analyse human rights from an environmental perspective, with a new multi-disciplinary approach that underpins the notion that the right to a healthy environment is just as basic as other rights.

 

The methodology of the seminar includes lectures, discussions, working groups and case studies. Issues about human rights and the environment will be analysed in the context of sustainable development by identifying links and challenges, which shall be faced to implement a rightsbased approach to the environmental protection. As well as consideration of international human rights law, there will also be an examination of the relationship of the law of armed conflict with the environment, and questions of transitional justice.

European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC)
Training seminar for short-term International Electoral Observers (IEO)
November 2013, Monastery of San Nicolò, Venice Lido (Italy)
Deadline for application: 15 October 2013

The European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) is an interdisciplinary centre of excellence formed by 41 universities from all European Union Member States.

The EIUC has developed two three-day modules aiming at providing training to civilian staff in election observation missions at the first steps of their career (i.e. short term observers).
Selected applicants will be allowed to become aware of the role, the tasks and the status of international observers, and will be given a theoretical and practical training on election observation and election observation missions functioning.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - Regional Representation for Western Europe, Brussels
Talent recruitment initiative
Deadline for application: 31 August 2013

Established in December 1950, UNHCR is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect and assist refugees, internally displaced people and others of concern. In more than six decades, UNHCR has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives. In 2012 alone, the agency had responsibility for 35.8 million people of concern and operated in more than 120 countries.

The Entry-Level Humanitarian Professional Programme, or EHP, is a competitive point of entry into UNHCR for talented professionals under 40 years of age who have a passion for humanitarian work.

This recruitment initiative is designed to identify highly qualified and motivated individuals with the right profiles, willing to be deployed to locations where they are needed most. Selected candidates will join the programme at the P2 level on a two-year cohort program and will be deployed to the field after having completed a comprehensive orientation program in early 2014. The EHP is open to both external and internal applicants.

Faculty of Law, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years of 50%) Researcher in the Law and Development Research Group
Deadline for application: 15 August 2013

Job description

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is implementing a 'sanitised villages' programme, which is supported by UNICEF. The human rights based programme aims at improving the living conditions in the targeted villages, thus ameliorating hygiene and the environment as well as access to drinking water and suitable toilets. UNICEF’s interventions are explicitly rights-based.
The researcher will carry out the legal analysis at the international (and partly national) level, within the localizing human rights research line of the Law and Development Research Group. She/he will also contribute to the preparation of the field research, to be carried out by the research team in the DRC.

The main focus of the research will be on:
• An analysis of the human rights based approach of UNICEF.
• An analysis of the agreement between UNICEF and the DRC on the sanitised villages project.
• An analysis of DRC Constitutional provisions relevant to the project.

This research project forms part of the IAP “The Global Challenge of Human Rights Integration: Towards a Users’ Perspective”.

Profile and requirements
• You hold a master degree in law
• You can submit good academic results
• You have knowledge of international human rights law and/or development
• You have experience or interest in interdisciplinary / social science research
• You have strong analytic and writing skills
• You are fluent in English, French and Dutch
• You are able to work independently and in team
• You are quality-oriented, conscientious and flexible
• Also students in the final year of their degree can apply

We offer
• A full-time contract of 1 year (or 50% during two years)
• The start date of the contract will be 1 November 2013
• A gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.145,57 - € 5.323,28
• A dynamic, international and stimulating work environment

Applications
Applications should be submitted online (you first need to register until the closing date of 15 September 2013.

More information about the application form can be obtained from Ellen Huijer (+32 3 265 31 45) or Robin Wynants (+32 3 265 31 41).

For questions about the profile and the description of duties, please contact Prof. Koen De Feyter (+32 3 265 58 82).

The University of Antwerp strives to contribute to an open, democratic and multi-cultural society. We are a family friendly environment and follow an equal-opportunities policy.

The full job description can be consulted here.

WFC - World Future Council, Hamburg, Germany
Senior Project Manager - Ending Violence against Women and Girls
Deadline for application: 2 September 2013

The World Future Council (WFC) is a global forum of 50 respected personalities who give voice to the shared ethical values of citizens worldwide. The Council works closely with policy-makers, civil society and business to identify and implement best policies to protect the rights of future generations.

The WFC is currently engaging a Senior Project Manager to coordinate the a new World Future Council Commission entitled 'Ending Violence against Women and Girls'.

Coalition for the International Criminal Court, Europe Regional Office, Brussels
Europe Programme Internship
Deadline for application: 18 August 2013

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) is a global network of NGOs advocating for a fair, effective and independent International Criminal Court (ICC). The Coalition is comprised of over 2.500 Non Governmental Organizations, collaborating with individual activists, governments, inter-governmental bodies, academics and other
international law experts from around the world.

The multi-track approach of the Coalition involves:
• Promoting education and awareness of the ICC and the Rome Statute at the national, regional and global level.
• Monitoring and supporting the work of the Assembly of States Parties of the ICC and facilitating NGO involvement in the process.
• Promoting the universal acceptance and ratification of the Rome Statute.
• Promoting the adoption of comprehensive implementation legislation.
• Expanding and strengthening the Coalition's global network.

The intern will assist with the Coalition’s campaign in the European region.The dynamic environment made possible by a global campaign involving thousands of large and small
NGOs, governments, EU institutions, academics and international organisations provides for diverse educational and professional learning opportunities.

UCL Institute of the Americas, London
Santander Scholarship Award of to all Latin American Applicants in 2013
Deadline for application: 9 August 2013

The Institute of the Americas of the London's Global University is delighted to announce the Santander Award of a £5,000 scholarship for its MA and MSc Programmes. This award is for International Students applying from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Uruguay in September 2013, for the following programmes:

• International Relations of the Americas MSc
• Caribbean and Latin American Studies MA
• Globalisation and Latin American Development MSc
• Latin American Politics MSc
• Latin American Studies MA
• United States Studies: History and Politics MA

The Santander Master's Scholarships (funded by Santander), aim to assist the most academically able students from leading universities to pursue a Master's programme at UCL.

UCL has been in partnership with Santander Universities since 2007, providing UCL students and staff with numerous benefits and opportunities which range from study abroad experiences to awards for non-academic achievement.

Application
Candidates must:
• Be nationals of one of the Santander network countries listed above and;
• Be studying at, or a graduate of, a university included on the relevant country list of eligible institutions (see Santander Universities) and;
• Be expected to obtain, or already possess, a Bachelors' degree awarded at a level equivalent to first-class Honours in a UK Bachelors degree and;
• Hold an offer of admission to a one-year, full-time UCL Master's programme, starting in the following academic year. 

All information can be found here.

Human Rights Watch, Brussels

Internship
Deadline for application: As soon as possible

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.

The Legal & Policy Office of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a full-time intern to join the team on the case against Hissène Habré. HRW has been working for 13 years with the victims of Chad's exiled former President, Hissène Habré, to bring him to trial.

The internship will last a minimum of six months, starting in August 2013. The intern will be supervised by HRW’s Counsel. The internship will primarily focus on liaising with HRW’s partners in Senegal and Chad, drafting advocacy letters and press releases, monitoring press and events and assisting with research.

This internship is unpaid. Some lunch and local travel costs may be reimbursed as pre-approved by HRW and in accordance with HRW policy. Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by the HRW staff, interaction with other international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials, and opportunities to attend lectures, trainings and special events relating to human rights. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

Qualifications
The internship is open to law students, law graduates, and graduate students with expertise in international criminal law or international relations. Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable with a strong interest in human rights. Oral and written fluency in French and proficiency in English is required.

How to apply
Please apply immediately by emailing a letter of interest in English or French, a resumé, two names or letters of reference and, if possible, a brief, unedited writing sample in French or English to habre@hrw.org. Please use 'Habré Internship Application – Summer 2013' as the subject of your email and specify your dates of availability. Due to the large number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted further. 

Confidence Crisis in Human Rights: Implications for the UK

Intensive Course on Challenges faced by the International Human Rights Regime
9 - 13 September 2013, Middlesex University London

Overview

The promise posited by human rights, derived as a concept inspired by the intrinsic dignity of human beings, and as an effective tool to combat inequality and the abuse of power, is in crisis. The daily news on the use of human rights to protect persons who are a threat to the survival of the State and its citizens, the alleged misuse of human rights to consolidate rather than fight undue privileges, the portrayal of human rights mechanisms as a ‘foreign regime’ hampering national democratic processes, and the antagonisms of States such as Brazil and the United Kingdom towards regional human rights systems of protections they once helped to create and embraced, denotes that it is not only the economy facing a confidence crisis.
Today we are confronted with unfair consequences of structural adjustment programmes, uneven impact of trade liberalisation, side effects of the protection of intellectual property regimes, and in the midst of this, a renewed perception of human rights as a neo-colonial tool to implement hidden political agendas. Mistrust of the international human rights regime, often voiced by countries in the South as attempts to undermine their sovereignty, are increasingly being augmented by the voices of Western States such as the UK and the USA. This is illustrated by the reluctance of the United Sates to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the failure to allow unfettered access to human right mechanisms, or to investigate the situation in Guantanamo Bay. More recently it underpins British posturing towards human rights treaties and their implementation, with the latest opposition being its resistance to implement the European Court of Human Rights’ decision regarding prisoners’ rights to vote.

Objectives
The objective of this course is to provide participants with an understanding of the legal basis underpinning the creation of human rights standards and organs through the prism of topics considered a priority on the international human rights agenda. By the end of the course participants will be able to analyse the impact of international and national politics on the structures and functions of human rights mechanisms, be able to critically evaluate the existing system, and identify current and potential strategies for effective functioning within it.

Structure
The five-day course is divided into three parts. On the first day, students will be introduced to the events and ideologies that have resulted in a situation where countries that once led the creation of human rights norms and monitoring mechanisms at international level, are now distancing themselves from these. Days two, three and four, forming the second part, will focus on incendiary and divisive human rights topics that dominate intergovernmental agendas, in particular:
(i) the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of religion;
(ii) the consequences for human rights of austerity measures and migration policies;
(iii) a critical examination of the role of the United Nations Security Council and international law in conflict zones.
The third part will focus on emerging themes and challenges represented by the applicability of the human rights framework, with the activities undertaken by corporations, and the relationship between development projects, the environment and human rights driving the discussion during the last day.

Recommended for:
The course is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students with an interest in human rights, international and domestic civil servants, and organisations engaged with international and national human rights monitoring bodies and processes. It would be of particular interest to journalists and those interested in understanding the different strategies for the promotion and protection of human rights.