Human Rights Litigation
CEU Summer University
Deadline: 15 February 2011
Website: www.summer.ceu.hu
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Human rights litigation is one of the methods by which civil society organizations can bring about social change. This course for human rights professionals will develop the skills and knowledge needed to successfully bring cases to the regional human rights systems and the UN Treaty bodies. Participants will be invited to provide information on concrete cases that they are involved in which will be discussed during the course.
The course includes modules that examine the steps involved in strategic litigation, such as case selection, client care, and forum choice, as well as the specific legal stages of admissibility, exhausting domestic remedies and preparing substantive arguments. Case studies will examine how to build a strong evidential record in support of the case, how to develop campaigning and advocacy to raise awareness of the issues involved, and how to implement a successful judgment.
A faculty of human rights practitioners from the Open Society Justice Initiative and academics from Central European University will be joined by visiting experts, creating a wide body of expertise. Workshops will focus on key skills such as advocacy in support of ligation, human rights research, legal drafting, communications, and dealing with the ethical problems that arise in human rights cases. Modules in specific subject areas will allow participants to examine key issues in their field, including citizenship and statelessness, discrimination, legal empowerment of the poor, national security, and torture and ill-treatment in detention.
WHO MAY APPLY
The course invites applications from human rights activists, policy workers and litigators, with 3 years’ working experience, who are seeking to enforce the rights of the individual against the state. Some participants will have a legal background, and will be involved in bringing cases before the courts. Some will have a policy background, with an interest in seeking to persuade governments to effect reforms. Some may be professionals wishing to develop their skills in these new areas, but will bring experiences of other forms of human rights work. Participants from Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia will be particularly encouraged to attend.
REQUIREMENTS
Pre-requisites
Undergraduates without a university degree will not be considered.
Language requirements
The language of instruction is English; thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops. Some of the shortlisted applicants may be contacted for a telephone interview.
Below is the list of the documents you need to prepare or arrange for submission:
Completed online SUN Application Form
Letter of recommendation
A full curriculum vitae or resume, including a list of publications, if any
Statement of Purpose
Writing sample in English related to the course theme (max. 10 pages)br>
Optional attachments:
A copy of an English language proficiency certificate (if available)
FINANCIAL AID
x Financial aid is available in the following categories:
- tuition waiver
- accommodation grant and stipend
- travel grant (full or partial)
x Participants from Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and Mongolia, as well
as those coming from emerging countries worldwide can apply for financial aid in all categories
listed above.
x Participants from developed countries are expected to pay tuition fee. However, there are a
limited number of tuition waivers available on a competitive basis. Those who wish to apply for
a tuition waiver should send a separate cover letter specifying their reasons.
x Participants are NOT eligible to receive financial aid if they attended two CEU funded faculty
initiative activities (i.e., CRC, SUN) within a four-year period.
x In case an applicant is accepted to two courses, which is only possible if the two courses
are run consecutively, financial aid is only available for attending one course.
CONTACT INFORMATION
E-mail for inquiry and correspondence: summeru@ceu.hu
Tel: (36-1) 327-3811, Fax: (36-1) 327-3124
Skype (free Internet telephone): ceu-sun
