IHRC students Brendan Sweeney’18 (first from the right) and Arwa Al Ali’18 (fifth from the left) with members of the Greek Refugee Council in Athens in March 2017.
Advocate for Human Rights around the World.
Work for global and regional human rights while representing non-governmental organizations and group clients from all parts of the world. Learn about treaties, policies, and other legal mechanisms for implementing and enforcing international human rights and humanitarian law.
In the International Human Rights Clinic, students:
represent international NGO’s, through research and advocacy, and drafting submissions to the UN Human Rights Council, the treaty bodies, and the regional human rights organs (in the American, African, and European human rights systems);
file briefs and amicus briefs on international human rights law issues in US domestic courts;
handle appeals in refugee and international human rights cases;
participate in universal jurisdiction claims in the US and other courts;
partner with various organizations in working on humanitarian cases.
Credits
The International Human Rights Clinic is a two-semester commitment. Students earn 6 graded credits for the clinic fieldwork that spans two semesters. Clinic students also take 2 seminar courses: International Human Rights (fall; 3 graded credits); and Int’l Human Rights Advocacy (spring; 3 graded credits).
Fall Classes
International Human Rights Clinic: Skills Seminar: LAW JD 840
3 credits
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have formally applied to and been accepted to the International Human Rights Clinic. This course is the companion fall classroom component for students enrolled in the Clinic and provides an introduction to essential lawyering skills, with a focus on those relevant to the practice of human rights law. The goal of the course is to help students develop a wide range of competencies, including written and oral communication and advocacy, legal research, factual investigation, witness interviewing, professional responsibility, and strategic thinking and problem-solving. NOTE: This course counts towards the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option.
FALL 2023: LAW JD 840 A1 , Sep 6th to Dec 6th 2023
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have formally applied to and been accepted to the International Human Rights Clinic. Students in the Clinic work on policy issues on behalf of institutional clients that represent refugees, forced migrants, immigrants, and stateless persons. Students work on long-term human rights projects such as: working with NGOs in advocacy in the UN human rights system or in regional organs (e.g. Inter-American and European human rights bodies); advocating for durable solutions to statelessness and citizenship deprivation in the Middle East; and organizing workshops and presentations to major stakeholders around the world. Students conduct legal and factual research and outreach to partners and project strategy development, and prepare written reports and submissions to international and regional agencies. The clinic fieldwork may include international travel. PRE/CO-REQUISITE: International Human Rights (LAW JD 991). NOTE: The International Human Rights Clinic counts towards the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option.
FALL 2023: LAW JD 975 A1 , Sep 5th to Dec 7th 2023
Int'l Human Rights Clinic: Human Rights Advocacy (S): LAW JD 843
3 credits
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have formally applied to and been accepted to the International Human Rights Clinic. This is the companion spring classroom component for students in the Clinic. The course focuses on further developing skills in the context of the substantive law and mechanisms of the Inter-American Human Rights system. Classes will cover: interviewing and counseling institutional (non-governmental organizations) clients; designing and implementing human rights field research; ethical pitfalls and professional 'best practices' in human rights collaborations with international networks; advocacy within the Inter-American machinery; and simulations using comparative and foreign human rights problems. The classes will be a combination of readings and discussion; simulations; student presentations; short papers and case rounds to discuss project work; and group and individual feedback on project development. NOTE: This course counts towards the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option.
SPRG 2024: LAW JD 843 A1 , Jan 17th to Apr 24th 2024
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have formally applied to and been accepted to the International Human Rights Clinic. Students in the Clinic work on policy issues on behalf of institutional clients that represent refugees, forced migrants, immigrants, and stateless persons. Students work on long-term human rights projects such as: working with NGOs in advocacy in the UN human rights system or in regional organs (e.g. Inter-American and European human rights bodies); advocating for durable solutions to statelessness and citizenship deprivation in the Middle East; and organizing workshops and presentations to major stakeholders around the world. Students conduct legal and factual research and outreach to partners and project strategy development, and prepare written reports and submissions to international and regional agencies. The clinic fieldwork may include international travel. PRE/CO-REQUISITE: International Human Rights (LAW JD 991). NOTE: The International Human Rights Clinic counts towards the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option.
FALL 2023: LAW JD 975 A1 , Sep 5th to Dec 7th 2023
Statement by Academics, Researchers and Experts for the Global Compact on Refugees Participating in the Conference on Responsibility-Sharing for Refugees in the Euro-Mediterranean Space At The American University in Cairo 10 October 2017
Submission to the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (CESCR) for Consideration on the Report on China Concerning the Rights of the Uyghur and other Turkic and Muslim Peoples
Combating Statelessness Worldwide
Confronting the Problem of Statelessness BU Law International Human Rights Clinic students are documenting the laws and policies that deal with citizenship and nationality in Middle Eastern and North African countries.
The Campaign to End Statelessness in Egypt: English, Arabic
The Campaign to End Statelessness in Iraq: English, Arabic
The Campaign to End Statelessness in Jordan: English, Arabic
International Human Rights Clinic students have worked with civil society organizations on issues spanning the globe. Watch videos of past Clinic projects in Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.
Support our work!
Supporting the International Human Rights Clinic has an immediate impact on our students and on the vulnerable communities they represent. Even a small gift can make an enormous difference. To support the Program, click here and write “International Human Rights Clinic” in the “Other” field.
For more information about giving, please contact Zachary Dubin, Assistant Dean for Development & Alumni Relations.
