Yogi Bratajaya
Since law school, I have held the conviction that I would use my knowledge of the law to advocate for human rights, in particular using human rights law as a tool to protect the environment and safeguard the rule of law. Attending the MSc in International Human Rights Law (IHRL) at Oxford has provided me with the necessary knowledge and skills for my career growth and to achieve these aims.
Before attending the course, I had only completed internships with grassroots and international human rights NGOs. It was a necessity for me to obtain a Master’s degree in order to advance my career. I was drawn to apply for the MSc in IHRL, over any other postgraduate course, after learning about the expertise and pedigree of the course’s teaching staff. The classes were taught by people that I looked up to and whose publications I referenced in my work as a human rights advocate, such as Professor John Knox who designed the Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment.
I have significantly improved my capacity in critical analysis, legal research and writing as a result of the classes and dissertation process. These skills will be instrumental in pursuing my goal of becoming a distinguished legal scholar. Further, I have deepened my understanding of key human rights law concepts and how they have been implemented, for example, exploring landmark cases that developed the substance of procedural rights in environmental decision-making.
By attending the course, I have also developed a valuable network of individuals from different regions and across different fields of expertise, including journalists and lawyers, that all share the same conviction of utilising the law to advance human rights protection. This has been made possible as the course is geared towards human rights advocates.