International Human Rights Law Summer School hosts public event series on UN Special Rapporteurs, Slavery Crimes, International Courts, and Humanitarian Law
As part of the International Human Rights Law Summer School hosted by the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Law, students had the opportunity to engage in conversations with a wide range of practitioners and experts from across the field of human rights and international law. The events were organised jointly with the MSc in International Human Rights Law programme.
Understanding and Addressing Vicarious Trauma in Human Rights Work
Leading human rights lawyer Karen Naimer drew on her experience documenting mass atrocities and conflict-related sexual violence. Chaired by Ranit Mishori, public health practitioner and graduate of the IHRL Master of Science, the session introduced students to the core concepts of vicarious trauma and its impact on human rights work.
Humanitarian Response in War Zones: Lessons from the Occupied Palestinian Territory
Dana Abu-Koash, Coordinator of the International Humanitarian Law Unit at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and an IHRL Master of Science student, Khaled Abughosh, Director-General of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Qusai Jaber, Deputy Director of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s Disaster Risk Management Department, and Dr Khaled Dawas, GI surgeon and Honorary Associate Professor at UC, discussed the challenges of operating hospitals, coordinating humanitarian aid and supporting medical missions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They reflected on how the PRCS continues to adapt its operational strategies in response to changing conditions, and explored its collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to strengthen humanitarian response.
The Power of One: International Law and the Special Rapporteurs of the UN System
This roundtable brought together former and current Special Rapporteurs involved in the IHRL Master of Science and the IHRL Summer School. Speakers included Olivier de Schutter (UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights), Nazila Ghanea (UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief), David Kaye (former UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression), John Knox (former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment), Alexandra Xanthaki (UN Special Rapporteur on cultural rights), Ahmed Shaheed (former United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran), and Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond (Special Rapporteur on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism). They answered questions about the handover process from one Special Rapporteur to another, the role of jus cogens in their work, and examples of best practice from their respective mandates.
The (Re)Emergence of Slavery Crimes
Associate Professor of International Human Rights Law Shreya Atrey spoke with Patti Sellers, Special Advisor at the International Criminal Court, about the renewed attention being given to slavery crimes in international law. The talk explored how slavery and the slave trade are increasingly recognised as international crimes, war crimes and human rights violations, highlighting recent developments including UN treaty negotiations, a UN General Assembly resolution, proposed amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and emerging exceptions to State immunity.
Courts, Conflict, and Consequence: A Conversation with Judge Kimberly Prost of the International Criminal Court
In conversation with Deputy Executive Legal Officer Renée Maria Tremblay, Judge Kimberly Prost reflected on her experience working with the Canadian Department of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and the International Criminal Court.
