Human Rights Institute at Georgetown Law

Save the date! The next panel in the Transitional Justice in the USA Speakers Series is coming up! For full event details and to register:?https://lnkd.in/ep5jzVX3 Since 2021 the nation has witnessed a remarkable growth of reparation initiatives spearheaded by local and state governments with the hope of healing the deep harms arising out of racial injustice in its many forms. This panel will offer an overview of this development to explore how it offers valuable opportunities for individual and societal repair, while also understanding the challenges of ensuring adequate and effective reparations in the United States. In particular, panelists will explore issues related to questions of how to fund these programs, who should qualify as “victims”, what type of reparations should be prioritized, why conflict undermines the process of repair, among other concerns. Comparative international experiences will shed light on what can truly be expected from non-judicial reparation programs as well as offer reflection on what helps make these programs successful, while also reflecting on what makes the U.S. experience unique. Co-organizers: Center for International Law and Policy at New England Law | Boston, Human Rights Institute at Georgetown Law, Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention, Binghamton University Moderator: Kerry Whigham, Assistant Professor of Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention at Binghamton University and Co-Director of its Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (I-GMAP) Panelists: Joy Banner, Ph.D., Co-Founder of The Descendants Project Cornell William Brooks, 18th President & CEO, NAACP and Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School Jemima Garcia-Godos, Professor, Department of Sociology and Human Geography, University of Oslo Dreisen Heath, National Reparations Advocate and Expert

In the latest installment of HRI's Hoyas in Human Rights series, Furaha Joy Sekai Saungweme (LL.M. ‘24), a passionate advocate for gender equality and human rights, shares an inspiring vision for ending sexual harassment in Africa as part of her work at Africa End Sexual Harassment Initiative (AESHI). Furaha told Georgetown Partner Fellow Cameron Mulrooney that "we must move beyond merely talking about sexual harassment and actually begin to create spaces where individuals can seek justice and where perpetrators are held accountable." She also underscores the importance of creating supportive environments for survivors and advocating for policies that protect individuals from harassment in public spaces, workplaces, and educational institutions. Read more about her work here: https://lnkd.in/ev7iCWvZ

Environmental activist and human rights lawyer Alfred Brownell, Sr. joined members of the Georgetown Law community on Tuesday, Oct. 22 to discuss the intersection of environmental protection and legal advocacy as part of the Human Rights Institute at Georgetown Law’s annual Drinan Lecture on Human Rights. In his address, “Protecting Our Future: The Role of Lawyers in Advancing Environmental Rights, Creating Innovative Jurisprudence, and Sustaining the Climate Movement,” Brownell, the 2024-2025 Robert F. Drinan, S.J., Chair in Human Rights, explored the novel legal strategies that lawyers and other advocates have developed to defend activists worldwide and urged collaboration among legal practitioners in the fight for human rights and environmental justice. “You have to get out of the silos and use human rights to protect the environment and use environmental law to protect human rights,” he said. “Lawyers [should be] architects, you should have a vision of where you want to go with the law.” A leader in environmental and climate advocacy in Africa and the recipient of the 2019 Goldman Environmental Prize, the Liberia-born Brownell has worked for decades on behalf of communities seeking to safeguard natural resources from exploitation and secure the right to a healthy and sustainable environment for all. The founding president of Global Climate Legal Defense, Brownell faced threats of violence for his activism and now lives in exile in the United States for his safety. “The planet itself is taking action,” Brownell said. “When you hear the roaring of the forest fires, when you hear the hurricanes, when you hear the seacoast erosion, when you see the drought, when you see the mass migration — the planet is speaking; we have to listen.” Since 2006, the Drinan chairship has brought leading #humanrights advocates and experts to #GeorgetownLaw in order to teach and engage with the campus community while contributing to human rights advocacy efforts in the U.S. and abroad. “Our past Drinan chairs have inspired many Georgetown Law students to pursue human rights work in their careers, and it is our hope that some of [our students here] today will make human rights their calling and mission,” said Dean William M. Treanor in his opening remarks. “As we look at the many human rights challenges confronting us today — in the world and the country and in our own community — it’s clear that the pursuit of human rights has never been a more urgent priority.”

In the most recent installment of our Hoyas in Human Rights series, Cameron Mulrooney sat down with Giovanna Gismondi, Visiting Associate Professor and Fellow for the Environmental Law Program at The George Washington University Law School. Growing up, Giovanna witnessed the gradual environmental degradation of her hometown in Peru. The impact of industrial waste on her once-pristine surroundings ignited her passion for environmental and human rights law, which has become the focus of her academic and professional career.? Read Giovanna's story here: https://lnkd.in/e6H272W7

Join us on?Tuesday, October 22nd, from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M.?for the Human Rights Institute’s annual Drinan Lecture on Human Rights, delivered by?2024–2025 Robert F. Drinan, S.J., Chair in Human Rights Alfred Brownell, Sr. This year's lecture will be on "Protecting Our Future: The Role of Lawyers in Advancing Environmental Rights, Creating Innovative Jurisprudence, and Sustaining the Climate Movement." Opening remarks will be given by Georgetown University Law Center Dean William M. Treanor and HRI Executive Director Elisa Massimino. Register here: https://lnkd.in/evGFduZY

The Human Rights Institute at Georgetown Law and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights are pleased to announce a call for applications for the Dale and James J. Pinto (L’76) Georgetown Law Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Fellowship. This fellowship is a one-year appointment beginning in Fall 2025 and is designed for a 2025 Georgetown Law J.D. graduate with experience or interest in advancing and upholding international human rights norms and a commitment to pursuing a career in the field.?Interested applicants should apply by October 15th. An information session on the fellowship will be held on October 8th. Link to application details: https://lnkd.in/gB6Tt6Ei Link to info session: https://lnkd.in/gasKdfHy

As part of our Hoyas in Human Rights series, we're excited to highlight the impactful work of Larson E. Binzer (L'20). Larson currently serves as Oversight Counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary in the United States House of Representatives. Larson is an advocate for transparency, accountability, and inclusive policymaking as essential tools to empower communities. Read more about Larson’s insights and commitment to advancing human rights on our website: #georgetownlaw #humanrightsinstitute #gtownlaw https://lnkd.in/emaXQ5Dz

As part of our Hoyas in Human Rights series, we're excited to highlight the impactful work of Larson E. Binzer (L'20). Larson currently serves as Oversight Counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary in the United States House of Representatives. Larson is an advocate for transparency, accountability, and inclusive policymaking as essential tools to empower communities. Read more about Larson’s insights and commitment to advancing human rights on our website: #georgetownlaw #humanrightsinstitute #gtownlaw https://lnkd.in/emaXQ5Dz

HRI is thrilled to share that Alfred Brownell, renowned Liberian environmental activist and advocate for human rights, will join Georgetown University Law Center's Human Rights Institute as the 2024-25 Robert F. Drinan, S.J., Chair in Human Rights. Brownell's work in environmental justice and legal reforms has made a profound impact globally. Learn more about his career and his contributions to the GULC community here: https://lnkd.in/eNgAEd4N