Call for volunteers - Human Rights Standards for Immigration Detention

Deadline: 1 September 2025, 12 pm (BTS)

 

Oxford Pro Bono Publico (OPBP) is looking for research volunteers to assist with a report for the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on Standards for Immigration Detention. 

OPBP has been asked to prepare a comparative study mapping international and comparative law standards and practices governing immigration detention, key developments since 2013, and best practices for children, transgender people, people with disabilities, and other groups at heightened risk. In addition to international standards, we will be looking at Canada, the UK and the EU as comparative jurisdictions for the report.

The role is to be undertaken mainly between September and October 2025 (the most substantive part of the research will be carried out throughout September and early October, with a possible need for complementary research in late October). Research for this project will require approximately 20 hours of your time. 

The position is open to University of Oxford graduate students, either with a previous law degree or with previous experience in the subject area. Criteria for selection:

  • Knowledge of international and comparative human rights law (essential).
  • Knowledge of the legal framework, standards, and context of the UN human rights system (advantageous).
  • Knowledge of the legal framework, standards, and context of the European human rights system and European Union (advantageous).
  • Knowledge of Canadian human rights law and standards on detention (advantageous).
  • Knowledge of UK human rights law and standards on detention (advantageous).
  • Knowledge of children, transgender and/or disability rights (advantageous).

If you are interested in volunteering, please send us your CV to opbp@law.ox.ac.uk by Monday, 1st September 2025, 12 pm (BTS). Please also mention in your email any specific knowledge or experience you may have in the above topics.

Do get in touch with us if you have any further queries regarding the project.

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