Call for volunteers - Inter-Temporality and Reparations for Colonial and Other Historic Atrocities

Deadline: 1 September 2025, 12 pm (BTS)

 

Oxford Pro Bono Publico (OPBP) is looking for 6 (six) research volunteers to assist with a report for the Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Inter-Temporality and Reparations for Colonial and Other Historic Atrocities. 

OPBP has been asked to prepare a report examining the application of the principle of inter-temporality by international and regional courts and human rights bodies. The purpose of the research is to study the hurdles that the (retrospective) application of international law, including but not limited to international criminal law, through the principle of inter-temporality might place on peoples and individual rights when pursuing reparations for historic atrocities. 

The role is to be undertaken between September and November 2025. Most of the research must be carried out in September and October, with a possible need for complementary research in late October and early November. Research for this project will require approximately 8-16 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 law (essential).
  • Knowledge of the legal framework, jurisprudence, and context of the category applied to (essential).
  • Knowledge of debates surrounding the inter-temporal principle (desirable).
  • Familiarity with, and interest in, ongoing discussions on reparations for past atrocities (desirable).

Researchers are required for the following categories, for which specific knowledge would be advantageous:

  1. Permanent Court for International Justice
  2. International Court of Justice
  3. Inter-American Commission/Court of Human Rights
  4. African Commission/Court on Human and People’s Rights
  5. Convention/Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination
  6. Convention/Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women

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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