Bulletin volume 16 Issue 1 - April 2016
Holocaust survivor Mr. Tomi
Reichenthal at the Irish
Centre for Human Rights
Tomi Reichenthal in the lecture hall of the Ryan Institute.
Mr. Tomi Reichental, a survivor of BergenBelsen concentration camp, gave a talk on
Sunday 8th of November 2015. Over four
hundred people showed up to listen and
the venue was quickly changed to
accommodate the large number interested
in hearing his story.
According to Prof. Ray Murphy, Tomi is one of the
last surviving witnesses to the Holocaust. As
such, Tomi feels compelled to speak out so that the
victims are not forgotten and we do not repeat the
mistakes of the past. For most of his life Tomi did not speak of the atrocities
he bore witness to, but in recent years he is an
Inside:
advocate for tolerance and compassion. His story is a
story of the past. It is also a story for our times. The
Holocaust reminds us of the dangers of racism and
intolerance, providing lessons from the past that are
relevant today. In Tomi’s words “The Holocaust didn’t
start with cattle wagons and gas chambers, but with
whispers, taunts, daubing, abuse, and finally murder. One
of the lessons we must learn is to respect difference and
reject all forms of racism and discrimination.”
The Irish Centre for Human Rights bids farewell to its
former director, Professor Michael O’Flaherty, who
has taken his new appointment as Director of the
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
(FRA) in Vienna, Austria. "His profound human rights
expertise and wealth of experience on the national,
European and international stage will strengthen
FRA’s role as a major player in shaping the
fundamental rights landscape across the EU”, said FRA
Management Board Chairperson, Frauke Lisa
Seidensticker when announcing the appointment. FRA
is mandated to provide evidence-based advice to EU
and national decision makers, thereby contributing to
more informed and better targeted debates and
policies on fundamental rights.
According to Professor Ray Murphy, interim Director:
“Michael made a great contribution to the
development of the Centre while he was Director. He
has left an indelible mark on the programmes and
range of activities that take place here. Michael will be
missed by colleagues and students alike. We wish him
every success in his new appointment and look forward
to collaborating with him in the future.”
At 79 years of age, Tomi Reichental tireless quest
has earned him recognition and numerous awards. In 2012 the President of Germany awarded him the
“Order of Merit” for his untiring commitment to
furthering mutual understanding, reconciliation and
German-Irish friendship.
• Summer School in Cinema, Human
Rights and Advocacy
• Moot Court Teams
• ICHR contributes to EU Fundamental
Rights Agency’s Research
• Lunchtime Seminars
• News from the ICHR
• Carol Coulter appointed Adjunct
Professor of Law
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Photos: Seán Ó Mainnín.
Farewell to the outgoing
director of the Irish
Centre for Human Rights:
Michael O’Flaherty
• Farewell to Dr. Zoi Aliozi
• ICC Summer School
/IrishCentreHR
humanrights@nuigalway.ie
Michael O’Flaherty
NEWS FROM THE ICHR
ICC Moot Court Team
Amanda
Canada
Why did you choose the
ICHR?
On top of the Centre’s
international recognition for
excellence in human rights education, the
multidisciplinary approach of the programme
appealed to me because it did not necessarily
require students to have a law background.
The variety of courses ensures students are
taught human rights from several
perspectives, as well as thoroughly in the
context of international law.
How do you like studying at the ICHR?
Group picture with Anne-Catherine Standaert, Cécile Genoud and Kayla Cook (team members), Gabrielle
Nava and Ciaran Wallace (researchers), Dr. Shane Darcy (coach) and assistant coach Hellen Carvalho.
For the first time, the Irish Centre for Human
Rights will be participating in the
International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot
Competion.
Organised by the Grotius Centre for International
Legal Studies of Leiden University with the
institutional support of the International Criminal
Court, the competition is held in The Hague, The
Netherlands as an event that takes place every year
over six days.
Students gather from different universities from all
around the world to compete in the field of
International Criminal Law. This year, 65 universities
have registered for the competition.
The ICC Moot Court Competition 2016 will take
place from Sunday, 22nd of May until Friday, 27th of
May, 2016 and the Irish Centre for Human Rights
will be represented by an international team with
students from five different countries. The three
speakers will be Anne-Catherine Standaert; Cécile
Genoud; and Kayla Cook. The researchers are
Gabrielle Nava and Ciaran Wallace. The team coach
is Dr. Shane Darcy, lecturer at the Irish Centre for
Human Rights and the assistant coach is Hellen
Carvalho.
My experience has been truly phenomenal – I
have learned more about human rights law,
international humanitarian law and
international criminal law in the last 6 months
than I have in all my other education so far.
The quality of the professors, guest lectures,
as well as the content of the lectures is
excellent. The content covered and experience
of the lecturers in particular is a perfect mix of
practical experience as well as academic
knowledge, and truly has made me feel like I
am being taught by leaders in the field.
What do you consider as most beneficial
so far in the LL.M. programme?
The close-knit atmosphere of the programme
and especially between classmates – smaller
class sizes mean that you get to know your
fellow students very well, and will find
yourself to be surrounded by so many likeminded individuals with vast experiences from
around the world!
Cécile
Switzerland
Why did you choose the
Centre for Human Rights?
I chose to study at the Centre
because it offers a really
good program for international criminal law.
This unique program intertwines
international criminal and human rights law at
the same time.
How do you like it at the Centre for
Human Rights?
I am extremely happy to study here. There is a
great offer of seminars touching many
different areas of human rights law and
international criminal law. Additionally, the
Centre invites a lot of guest lecturers with
field experience, which is very interesting.
What do you consider as most beneficial
so far in the LLM programme?
One of the nicest aspects of the Center is that
there is a real interaction between the
lecturers and the students. I really have the
feeling that my lecturers have a passion for
teaching and are truly interested in interacting
with me. Coming from a university where
classrooms were always crowded with
hundreds of people, it makes a real difference.
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The team members Bridget Quitter, Stefanie Fahlbusch and Amanda Poitras with their coach
Thamil V. Ananthavinayagan.
IHL Moot Court Team
The ICHR’s International Humanitarian Law
(IHL) team participated for a second time in Corn
Adomnain national IHL competition.
The competition is organized by the Irish Red Cross
and took place on the 2nd of April in Dublin at the
University College of Dublin School of Law.
The IHL team included: Bridget Quitter, Stefanie
Fahlbusch and Amanda Poitras. The coaches were
Dr. Anita Ferrara, lecturer at the Irish Centre for
Human Rights and Thamil V. Ananthavinayagan,
Ph.D. candidate at the Irish Centre for Human
Rights.
/IrishCentreHR
humanrights@nuigalway.ie
After a competitive and challenging day with
participation in numerous scenarios in the first
round, followed by a moot court in the second and
final round, the IHL team finished 3rd out of eight
teams participating from across Ireland.
Ray Murphy, the interim Director of the ICHR
acknowledged the achievement, “I warmly
congratulate the team on its success in the recent
IHL competition. The team did very well and
represented the Centre in an exemplary manner.
Competitions like these reflect the intellectual
engagement and commitment by students of the
Centre in such events.”
NEWS FROM THE ICHR
GUEST SEMINARS
Seminar on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCR) investigation into Sri Lanka with Glyn Morgan and Thamil Ananthavinayagan
During their seminar, Glyn Morgan, military advisor to the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) investigation, and Thamil Venthan
Ananthavinayagan, PhD researcher and Fellow at the Irish Centre for Human Rights,
introduced and summarised the topic of human rights abuses during the Sri Lankan
Civil War and the OHCHR’s investigation of these abuses. Owing to his experience
on the ground, Glyn was able to critically assess the work of the investigation, as well
as point out its positive and negative aspects, including an insufficient allocation of
resources. The talk also addressed the responses of the government of Sri Lanka and
the global community to the Civil War and the findings of the report. The challenges
of producing a report were well illustrated by several anecdotes delivered by Mr.
Glyn Morgan. The personal involvement of both speakers in different aspects of the
conflict made this an intriguing discussion.
Glynn Morgan and Thamil V. Ananthavinayagan in the seminar room
Seminar with Davina Durgana
Speaking on Human Trafficking
Dr. Davina Durgana, international expert in human trafficking, spoke on
Human Trafficking in Ireland, Europe and abroad. In a very informative and
comprehensive talk, she spoke of the unfortunate lack of understanding of
the trafficking industry and the acute need for meaningful and contextualised
data, and introduced a keen audience to key concepts and distinctions within
the trafficking industry. Dr. Durgana discussed the recent debate
surrounding prostitution in Ireland and elsewhere, arguing in favour of the
Swedish Model which penalises the client and not the sex worker.
Dr. Davina Durgana in the seminar room.
Seminar with Ilia Siatitsa on Legal Notions
of Serious Human Rights Violations
The Irish Centre for Human Rights was pleased to have Ilia Siatitsa, Visiting Fellow
from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights.
Her talk concerned serious violations of human rights in the international legal order.
Her insightful talk was well attended and gave the audience a very specific and
interesting insight into the legal notions attached to actions of human rights abuses,
while situating the concept in the context of international law. The Irish Centre for
Human Rights is very grateful to Ilia for the informative talk and wishes her every
success for the completion of her doctoral dissertation.
Ilia Siatitsa in the seminar room
Seminar with Rosaleen McDonagh
Rosaleen McDonagh, one of the leading feminists in Ireland and a member of
the Traveller community, spoke at the Irish Centre for Human Rights as part
of her visit to Global Women’s Studies. Rosaleen spoke on her experience
with the Ryan Commission in Ireland as a disabled traveller woman. She
highlighted the failures of the process in respecting and protecting her human
rights and human dignity given her identity. She also explained her distrust of
the legal system and emphasised the need for an inclusive society mindful of
minorities and different identities. The seminar was very insightful and
underscored the need to reflect upon Irish history on a continuous basis.
Rosaleen McDonagh in the seminar room
Seminar with Sandra Namutebi
The Irish Centre for Human Rights was very privileged to host human rights
defender and LGBTI activist Sandra Namutebi, a seminar that was conducted in
conjunction with Front Line Defenders. Sandra’s talk was very thought-provoking.
Sandra spoke on the daily impediments she is personally facing, including the
arbitrary arrest of her father, while she detailed the current state of mind of the
Ugandan society. She underscored the harassment by governmental officials, the way
the LGBTI community is ridiculed and highlighted the limited space in which human
rights defenders have to operate to promote human rights in Uganda.
Sandra Namutebi in the seminar room
Irish Centre for Human Rights - Bulletin volume 16, Issue 1, April 2016
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NEWS FROM THE ICHR
ICHR represented by students at the awarding of the Sakharov
Prize for Freedom of Thought in the European Parliament
Students with Head of Unit of Secretariat of the Subcommittee on Human Rights Rosemary Opacic.
The Irish Centre for Human Rights was
represented at the awarding of the Sakharov
Prize for Freedom of Thought in the
European Parliament by LLM students Diego
Escribano, Jess Furney, Claire Lynch, and
Bridget Quitter, and BA Connect student
Eoghan (John) Finn in Strasbourg, France.
Bridget
USA
Why did you choose the
ICHR?
I knew I wanted to study
International Human Rights
Law at a great institution
with experienced and respected faculty, and
with courses focusing on women and minority
rights. During my searches, I kept returning
to the Centre’s webpage and reading old
syllabi. I travelled to Galway a few years ago,
and was enchanted with the city. Between the
Centre’s excellent staff and curriculum, my
Irish heritage, and my career goals, I knew the
ICHR was the place for me.
The visit was organised by Dr. Anita Ferrara,
lecturer at the Irish Centre for Human Rights. In
addition to the awards ceremony, students attended
a seminar with Ensfar Haidar, Raif Badawi's wife,
who was accepting the award on Mr. Badawi's
behalf. Among the guest speakers was -inter aliathe Vice-President of the European Parliament,
Mairead McGuinness from Ireland. Following the
seminar in the morning, students were present in
the Chamber of the European Parliament for the
awarding of the Sakharov Prize and addresses made
by members of the European Parliament and Ensfar
Haidar. In addition to the seminar and ceremony,
students met with the Head of Unit of Secretariat of
the Subcommittee on Human Rights Rosemary
Opacic, while this visit was complemented by an
excursion to the European Court of Human Rights
What do you consider as most beneficial
so far in the LL.M. programme?
I have really appreciated the attitude of staff
towards students – the academic staff are
incredibly knowledgeable and willing to help
point students in the right direction, and the
administrative staff are excellent at
communicating with students and helping to
solve problems. Our guest lecturers, field
trips, and lunchtime seminars have also been
excellent resources for students.
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According to Bridget Quitter, LL.M. candidate at
the Irish Centre for Human Rights: "It was a great
experience, to be able to see firsthand where some
of the instruments in human rights law were created
in the European Parliament, and to also visit the
Court where so many landmark human rights
decisions were made. I feel truly fortunate to have
attended the awarding of the Sakharov Prize, and to
hear the remarks made by Ms. Haidar on her own
behalf and on the behalf of her husband. The
seminar was particularly enlightening because it was
a more informal and personal testimony by Ms.
Haidar and other speakers. It was an excellent
learning and cultural experience.”
Farewell to Dr. Zoi Aliozi
Dr. Aliozi presenting her paper ‘Human Rights
and the Economic Crisis’, in the Legal and
Political Theory Seminar Series of the Law
School, NUI Galway on the 29th of January
2016. Pictured is also Dr. Ioanna Tourkochoriti,
lecturer at the School of Law, NUI Galway.
How do you like studying at the ICHR?
Studying here is really great. What I like best
is the sense of true friendship and camaraderie
among the LL.M. students – we’re all really
supportive of each other, both academically and
personally. It is great to have a multi-national
group of people to give different perspectives
to political and legal issues in the courses.
(ECtHR) and a meeting with Dr. Siofra O'Leary,
judge at the ECtHR.
In February, the ICHR said farewell to a valued
colleague, Dr. Zoi Aliozi, who completed a twoyear postdoctoral fellowship with the Centre. Her
postdoctoral research focused on ‘Global
Constitutionalism and Human Rights’. Prior to
joining the Centre Zoi had completed a PhD on
Political Philosophy and Human Rights Law in
Luiss, University of Rome and was a visiting
researcher in the Philosophy Department of
Georgetown University, Washington DC. Dr.
Aliozi’s research focused on human rights, through
an inter-disciplinary methodology, which employs
philosophy and international law. Throughout her
time at the Centre, Dr. Aliozi was involved in
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humanrights@nuigalway.ie
lecturing on the Centre’s BA Connect in Human
Rights Programme as well as in the Huston School
of Film and NUIG’s School of Law, founding and
directing the weekly ‘Human Rights Cinema’, and
organising and participating in both the ‘Cinema,
Human Rights and Advocacy’ and the ‘Arts and
Human Rights’ Summer Schools. She also
promoted human rights through activism by
collaborating with NGOs, such as Citizens Rights
Watch, of which she is Secretary General, and the
Climate Emergency Institute. Zoi, as a human
rights scholar and activist, has contributed greatly
to the life of the Centre. The Centre will miss her
dearly and wishes her every success in her future.
NEWS FROM THE ICHR
Irish Experts Contribute to the EU
Fundamental Rights Agency’s Research
The Irish Centre for Human Rights is now in its
second year as the contractor for the EU
Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) to deliver
research on fundamental rights issues for
Ireland. The FRA’s multidisciplinary research
network, FRANET, is composed of contacts in each
of the 28 EU Member States who provide relevant
research to facilitate the Agency’s comparative
analyses to inform EU policy and initiatives across
the EU member States.
The project, managed by Emily Brennan at the
ICHR, has a team of Ireland’s leading human rights
and social science experts in its network. During 2016
the project will deliver research on the following
topics: National intelligence authorities and
surveillance in the EU; Migration detention of
children; Mapping minimum age requirements in
respect to the rights of the child in the EU; Rights of
crime victims to have access to justice; Fieldwork
research on the right to independent living for
persons with disabilities, a multi-annual project to
collect and analyse comparable data on processes of
deinstitutionalisation; The Irish Annual Report,
identifying legal developments and policy measures
adopted in 2015, 2016 concerning efforts made by
state actors and national human rights bodies to
ensure the implementation of fundamental rights
within focused thematic areas.
SHORT NEWS FROM STAFF
Dr. Shane Darcy:
• A paperback edition of Dr. Shane Darcy’s book
Judges, Law and War was published by Cambridge
University Press in January of 2016.
• Dr. Darcy was invited and has joined the editorial
board of Business and Human Rights Journal and
the Irish Yearbook of International Law
• He published two book chapters namely ‘The
Prohibition of Collective Punishment’, in Andrew
Clapham, Paola Gaeta and Marco Sassoli (eds.),
The Geneva Conventions in Context: A
Commentary, Oxford University Press, 2015 and
‘The Limited Reach of Superior Responsibility’, in
Suzannah Linton, Gerry Simpson & William A.
Schabas (eds.), For the sake of present and future
generations: Essays on International Law, Crime
and Justice in Honour of Roger S. Clark (Brill,
2015).
• Dr. Darcy also wrote the Centre's submission on
business and human rights: Irish Centre for Human
Rights, Submission to the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade on the Working Outline of
Ireland’s National Plan on Business and Human
Rights, 29 January 2016.
• Dr. Darcy was respondent for a panel on
‘Legitimacy and Methodology’, Legitmacy and
Lawmaking in International Humanitarian Law,
International Conference, Freie University, Berlin,
26-28 November 2016.
• Dr. Darcy was a panelist for the ‘The Potential Role
of (International) Criminal Law in a Business and
Human Rights Treaty’, part of the Roundtable on
Business and Human Rights; Exploring the
Contours of a Treaty, International Commission of
Jurists, Geneva, 19 November 2015.
• Dr. Darcy was a panelist for the ‘Legal
responsibility of companies dealing with prisoners
and detainees’, Conference on Protection of
Prisoners and Detainees: An International
Responsibility and Obligation, Amman, Jordan, 17
September 2015.
• Dr. Darcy was a panelist in the Consultation on the
Working Outline of Ireland’s national action plan
on business and human rights, Department of
Foreign and Trade, Iveagh House, Dublin, 22
January 2016.
Dr. Ekaterina Yahyaoui
Krivenko:
• Dr. Ekaterina Yahyaoui Krivenko organised an
international conference entitled ‘Taming Power in
Times of Globalisation: What Role for Human
Rights’ on 30 November and 1 December 2015 at
the National University of Ireland, Galway.
• On the 21st of April 2016 Dr. Yahyaoui Krivenko
with Dr. Loveday Hudson (University of Leicester)
will hold a joint panel of Interest Groups on
International Legal Theory and Feminism and
International Law dealing with theoretical
approaches to international lawmaking as a part of
the Research Forum of the European Society of
International Law in Istanbul, Turkey. For the
programme see here: http://www.esilsedi.eu/node/974
• Dr. Ekaterina Yahyaoui Krivenko is also organizing
(with Dr. Ioanna Tourkochoritti and Denise
Gormley) the Annual Conference of the Irish
Society of Comparative Law that will be held in
Galway from 23-24 May 2016 with Prof. Mark
Tushnet of Harvard Law School as keynote speaker.
For more information or to register visit:
http://www.conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?
Conference=218
• The following publications authored by Dr.
Ekaterina Yahyaoui Krivenko appeared:
• ‘International Law, Literature and
Interdisciplinarity’ 9 (2015) Law and Humanities
103-122
• ‘Rethinking Human Rights and Culture Through
Female Genital Surgeries’ 37 (2015) Human
Rights Quarterly 107-136
• ‘Conceptualising Human Rights as International
Constitutional Guarantees: Promises and Perils
of Comparativism’ in (A.Albarian, O.Moréteau,
eds.) Comparative Law and …/ Le droit comparé
et … (Presses Universitaires d’Aix-Marseille,
2015)
• Poem “Schizophrénie du droit international” 26
(2015) European Journal of International Law
580, available at http://ejil.oxfordjournals.org/
content/26/2/580.full.pdf
• Finally, Dr. Yahyaoui Krivenko was invited on the
14th -15th of January 2016 as a discussant in the
roundtable entitled In Whose Name? Constitutent
Power in Global Constitutionalism at a conference
‘Global Constitutionalism Without Global
Democracy’ EUI, Florence, Italy.
continued on page 6 „
Congratulations to Dr. Yang on
successful completion of his viva
Dr. Bochao Yang, Prof. Ray Murphy, Dr. Anita
Ferrara and Dr. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua
The Irish Centre for Human Rights warmly
congratulates Dr. Bochao Yang. Pictured are Dr.
Bochao Yang, Prof. Ray Murphy, Dr. Anita
Ferrara and Dr. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua after the
successful completion of Dr Yang's viva on
Chinese policy towards UN intervention and
peacekeeping on the 15th of February 2016.
Whitaker Institute Seminar with
Prof. Murphy on Peacekeeping in the
Democratic Republic of Congo and
the Protection of Civilians
Prof. Ray Murphy gave a seminar to the Whittaker
Institute at NUI Galway on the UN Peacekeeping
Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and the Protection of Civilians on 18 February 2016.
Prof. Murphy was critical of the failure to protect
civilians in the DRC and the disconnect between the
rhetoric of Security Council mandates and the reality
on the ground. He also highlighted the dangers of so
called robust mandates and the creation of an
‘Intervention Brigade’ with a combat role for UN
forces. The seminar was followed by a lively question
and answer session.
Roshan
United Kingdom
Why did you choose the
ICHR?
When I started asking
around and researching
possible places to study law, I was repeatedly
recommended to the ICHR. As I did not have
a law background, I was pleased to learn of
their multidisciplinary approach that allows
those with work experience but not
necessarily academic experience in law, to
study here. The wide variety of courses was
particularly appealing for me.
How do you like studying at the ICHR?
I love it! It is hard work but worth the while
for the reward of gaining so much knowledge.
Classes are dynamic, with a mixture of
lecturing and discussion. The professors have
often had practical as well as academic
experience, allowing a depth to their teaching
I have rarely encountered that I find inspiring
to both my academic and personal growth as a
human rights activist.
What do you consider as most beneficial
so far in the LL.M. programme?
The community feel of the centre. Located in
a beautiful building next to the river with our
own study room, I have built close ties with my
fellow students allowing me to discuss what I
learnt in lectures with people from different
backgrounds, cultures and views to my own.
Irish Centre for Human Rights - Bulletin volume 16, Issue 1, April 2016
5
NEWS FROM THE ICHR
SHORT NEWS FROM STAFF continued
Dr. Zoi Aliozi:
• Dr. Zoi Aliozi gave a talk to Amnesty International's
“Syrian refugee information night” event in NUI
Galway about the Refugee crisis and human rights.
In this well attended event, Dr. Aliozi informed the
attendees about the human rights issues at stake, and
discussed the role of human rights practitioners and
civil society in the Syrian refugee crisis.
• The Human Rights Cinema event directed by Dr.
Zoi Aliozi, held a screening of Naomi Klein’s film:
“THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING”. The well
attended event was followed by an interesting
discussion, where Dr. Aliozi spoke of the human
rights issues in the climate change area. Follow the
link to use more info and text:
https://www.facebook.com/events/142726352755339
• Dr. Aliozi presented her working paper on: ‘Human
Rights and the Economic Crisis’, in the Legal and
Political Theory Seminar Series of the Law School,
NUI Galway on 29th of January 2016.
• Finally, she was involved in the Feminist Legal
Scholarship International Research Project: ‘ICJ
Feminist Re-written judgments Project’ and coauthored a chapter: Feminist re-drafting of the 2012
ICJ’s Judgment on Jurisdictional Immunities, in:
Feminist International Judgments Project, Editors:
Troy Lavers, Loveday C. Hodson ‘ICJ Feminist Rewritten judgments Project’, Cambridge UP,
forthcoming in 2016.
Dr. Aoife Duffy:
Prof. Murphy at the European Union-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue Facility in Vietnam.
•
•
•
•
Drs. Aoife Duffy and Helen Basini.
Photo: Irish Research Council/Jason Clarke photography
• Dr. Aoife Duffy attended a reception at the
Department of Foreign Affairs for past and present
Andrew Grene conflict resolution scholars.
• Dr. Duffy published following article, ‘Legacies of
British Colonial Violence: Viewing Kenyan
Detention Camps through the Hanslope Disclosure’,
33(3) Law and History Review (2015), 489-542
• Dr. Aoife Duffy presented a paper titled ‘Beyond the
Law: Counter-terror Interrogation’ as a guest
speaker at the Violent Contexts: Ireland and the
Wider World conference, hosted by the Department
of History at University College Cork on 1st of April
2016.
Dr. Kathleen Cavanaugh:
Prof. Ray Murphy:
• In late 2015, Prof Ray Murphy participated in three
international workshops in Vietnam as part of the
European Union-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue
Facility. This is an EU funded project intended to
support Vietnam’s development through the
implementation of activities, including human
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rights, covered by the EU-Vietnam Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement. The theme of the
workshops was ‘Sharing European and Vietnamese
Experiences in implementing International
Conventions on Human Rights’.
Prof. Murphy gave a lecture on peacekeeping at the
Centre for Human Rights, University of Essex in
February 2016.
In November 2015, Prof. Murphy taught on the
24th. International Investigations Course for the
Institute of International Criminal Investigations in
The Hague, Netherlands.
In February 2016, Prof. Murphy presented a paper
and was a discussant at a symposium organised by
the Institute for European Studies, Vrije Universiteit
Brussels on EU and UN peacekeeping.
The following publications authored by Prof.
Murphy appeared:
• R. Murphy, ‘UN Peacekeeping in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and the Protection of
Civilians’, Journal of Conflict and Security Law,
(2016), pp. 1-38.
• R. Murphy and R. Burke, ‘Sexual and Gender based
violence and the Responsibility to Protect: Where
does Gender come in?’ Irish Studies in
International Affairs, Vol. 26 (2015), pp. 1–29.
• R. Murphy, ‘Problems Confronting any
International Peacekeeping Force in the IsraelPalestine Conflict’, Irish Yearbook of International
Law 2013, Hart Publishers, (2015), pp. 29-44.
• R. Murphy, ‘United Nations Peacekeeping
Capability Readiness System (UNPCRS)’, in R.
Wolfrum (ed), Max Planck Encyclopaedia of
Public International Law (OUP Oxford,
September 2015), pp. 509-14.
• R. Murphy, Correspondence Report on Ireland
2014, Yearbook of International Humanitarian
Law (2015).
• Dr. Kathleen Cavanaugh was invited to be part of a
Working Group on Pluralism and Community in the
Middle East at the Center for International and
Regional Studies (CIRS), Georgetown University.
The Working Group held their initial meeting in
Doha, Qatar on the 6-7 March 2016 in a closed-
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humanrights@nuigalway.ie
•
•
•
•
•
door, two-day seminar, which brought together a
small number of renowned scholars in order to start
work on an edited volume on the topic of Pluralism
and Community in the Middle East. Dr. Cavanaugh
has been tasked with developing the ‘Governance
and Legal Regimes in the Middle Eastern Plural
Society’ strand of the project and will be returning to
Georgetown University in September 2016 to
present her work on ‘The Politics of Law: Rights
Based Discourse in the MENA Region.’
On the 23rd April, Dr. Cavanaugh will be joining a
former ICHR PhD graduate, Michelle Farrell, in
participating in a Critical Lab and Dossier On
Torture and Confession sponsored by Columbia
University | LAIC, Department of Latin American
and Iberian Cultures. The purpose of the Lab is not
only to question the practices of torture and
confession in relation to truth, politics, and law, but
also to raise some difficult questions and undertake
new research paths regarding torture. The results of
this collaborative effort will be published in the first
issue of TLW Journal Columbia University.
Dr. Cavanaugh was invited to be part of the Advisory
Board, Department of Women’s Studies, Tarbiat
Modares University, Tehran, Iran. She will be
traveling to Iran in May for the inaugural meeting.
Dr. Cavanaugh was invited to be part of Steering
Committee which will oversee a project on
Accountability at the Human Rights Law Clinic, Al
Quds University (Jerusalem).
As Part of a Human Rights and Religion seminar
series sponsored by the Department of Near and
Middle Eastern Studies, Dr. Cavanaugh presented a
lecture in February 2016 on ‘The approach of the
European Court of Human Rights to Freedom of
Religion.’
The following publications were published by Dr.
Kathleen Cavanaugh in this time period:
• ‘Moralizing States,’ Cardozo J. Int’l & Comp. L.,
Volume 23.1 (Dec 2015)
• ‘A Democratic Opening? The AKP and the Kurdish
Left,’ Muslim World Journal of Human Rights,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (2015) (with Edel Hughes)
• ‘Transformations in the Middle East: The
Importance of the Minority Question’ in Will
Kymlicka and Eva Pfoestl, eds, Multiculturalism
and Minority Rights in the Arab World, (OUP,
2015)
HUMAN RIGHTS NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL OF LAW
Larry Donnelly
writes report on
Clinical Legal
Education in
Ireland for PILA
Law alumna appointed Chief Justice of the Seychelles
Dr. Ciara Smyth, School of Law (Internal Examiner), Chief Justice
Mathilda Twomey, Dr. David Zammit, University of Malta (External
Examiner) and Marie McGonagle, School of Law (co-supervisor) pictured
after the viva voce examination of Dr. Twomey in September 2015.
Congratulations to Dr.
Mathilda Twomey on her
appointment as Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court of the
Seychelles. Chief Justice
Twomey, who is a graduate of
the LLM in Public Law, was
conferred with a PhD (jointly
supervised by Marie
McGonagle of the School of
Law and Dr. Seán Donlan,
formerly of UL) in November
2015. She received the NUI
Galway Alumni Award for Law,
Public Service and Government
in March of this year.
Prof. Donncha O’Connell, Larry Donnelly,
Mr. Justice Bryan McMahon and Eamonn
Tansey of PILA at the launch of the Report on
Clinical Legal Education in Ireland.
Retired High Court judge and former
professor of law at NUIG, Dr. Bryan
McMahon, launched a new report, ‘Clinical
Legal Education in Ireland: Progress and
Potential’ in NUI Galway in October of last
year. The report was written by Larry
Donnelly, Lecturer and Director of Clinical
Legal Education in the School of Law, and was
commissioned by PILA a project of the Free
Legal Advice Centres (FLAC). The report
examines the development of clinical legal
education in Ireland and makes
recommendations for the future and can be
read here: goo.gl/Y4IERp.
Hellen
Brazil
Why did you choose the
ICHR?
I came to know the
reputation of the ICHR
through the work of Professor Willian
Schabas. Besides that, a few friends have
attended summer courses here. After I got
accepted to the LLM at NUIG, I was granted
the Government of Ireland Scholarship for
Brazilian Students which was also a crucial
factor for coming here.
How do you like it here?
I really enjoy the dynamic and relaxed
environment of the ICHR. The LLM students
really interact between themselves and have
also developed a good relationship with PhD
students and lecturers from the Centre.
What do you consider as most beneficial
so far in the LLM programme?
The programme has allowed me to strengthen
my academic background in an immeasurable
way, I feel that since I’m the only Latin
American student this year I was able to
contribute some different perspectives to our
debates as well as absorb and bring back home
high level discussion outcomes.
Carol Coulter
appointed Adjunct
Professor of Law
Professor Carol Coulter
The appointment has been announced of Dr Carol
Coulter, director of the Child Care Law Reporting
Project, as an honorary adjunct professor in the
School of Law, NUI Galway.
Carol Coulter graduated from Trinity College with
BA (Mod) and PhD degrees in English. She also holds
a Diploma in Legal Studies and an MPhil in Law.
She was previously the legal affairs editor of The Irish
Times and won a number of journalism awards,
including Campaigning Journalist of the Year in 1990,
Legal Print Journalist of the Year in 2000 and 2012,
and also overall Legal Journalist of the Year in 2012.
Dr. Coulter left The Irish Times to become the
founder and director of the Child Care Law
Reporting Project, which is examining the public
child care law system. To date this has published over
300 reports of child care cases in the District Court
and High Court, and two Interim Reports, including
statistics and analysis, on its website,
www.childlawproject.ie. A third and Final Report, with
recommendations, was published in November 2015.
The project is now in Phase 2. This phase will
combine reporting on a reduced number of cases
with an in-depth analysis of a number of highly
complex and lengthy cases. It is funded jointly by
Galway University Foundation and the Department
of Children & Youth Affairs for two years. A formal
Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed to
guide the implementation of the Phase 2 project. The
partners in this Agreement are: The Child Care Law
Reporting Project, NUI Galway School of Law,
Galway University Foundation, The Atlantic
Philanthropies, Tusla, Free Legal Advice Centres and
the Department of Children & Youth Affairs.
The Agreement provides for the establishment of a
Research Coordinating Group (which includes the
Head of the School of Law) which will guide the
development of the research programme and assist in
identifying ways of implementing the
recommendations that arise from the project within
the two years.
Galway University Foundation has negotiated with
Atlantic Philanthropies to provide €70,000 in
funding for the project and has a separate agreement
in place with FLAC, which provides technical and
administrative assistance to the CCLRP, for the
management of these funds on behalf of the project.
As well as participating in the Research Coordinating
Group NUI Galway will assist the project through a
separate Galway University Foundation-funded
Hardiman Scholarship to the School of Law. The
scholarship, awarded to the School of Law and linked
to the CCLRP, is for a PhD to be supervised jointly
by Dr. Connie Healy of the School and Dr. Carol
Coulter. The PhD will look at international best
practice examples of Child Protection systems that
successfully address the needs of vulnerable children
coming before the child protection courts. The aim
will be to complement and add significant value to
the research arising from Phase 2 of the Child Care
Law Reporting Project. The Scholarship has been
awarded to Maria Corbett who has worked with the
Children's Rights Alliance for many years.
Irish Centre for Human Rights - Bulletin volume 16, Issue 1, April 2016
7
International Criminal Court
Summer School to take place
27th of June to 1st of July 2016
How do you like it here?
Anna
I really love it. The modules are so interesting and
varied, and the lecturers are so helpful and friendly.
There is a real community feel in the Centre.
Ireland
Why did you choose the
ICHR?
The Irish Centre for Human
Rights at the National
University of Ireland Galway
is pleased to announce that
the annual International
Criminal Court Summer
School will take place from
the 27th of June to 1st of July
2016. The International
Criminal Court Summer
School is the premiere
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summer school specialising on
the International Criminal Court, arguably the most
important international institution since the
establishment of the United Nations, which aims to
combat impunity for atrocities and at the forefront of a
broader movement for achieving accountability.
Participants attend a series of intensive lectures over
five days, given by leading practitioners and academics
on the subject as well as legal professionals working at
the Court.
I chose the LL.M in International
Human Rights at the ICHR
because I had heard so many good things about
the Centre: the high standards of teaching and the
participatory nature of the classes, as well as the
expertise of the staff.
This interactive and stimulating course is suited to
postgraduate students, legal professionals, scholars and
NGO workers. Participants are provided with a
detailed working knowledge of the establishment of
the Court, its structures and operations, and the
applicable law. Lectures also speak to related issues in
international criminal law, including: genocide, war
crimes, crimes against humanity, the crime of
aggression, jurisdiction, fair trial rights, and the rules of
procedure and evidence. This year’s ICC Summer
School will include a special session on victims at the
International Criminal Court.
Cinema and Human Rights and Advocacy (CHRA)
is a training initiative offered by the Huston School
of Film & Digital Media and the Irish Centre for
Human Rights, part of the National University of
Ireland, Galway. This, the 11th Summer School in
Cinema, Human Rights and Advocacy will run at the
Huston School of Film & Digital Media in Galway,
Ireland, from 16th to 25th of June 2016.
To register and for further information, please visit
http://www.conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?Conferen
ce=464, or follow us on twitter (@iccsummerschool) and
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/
internationalcriminalcourtsummerschool/?fref=ts ).
Should you have any queries, please email Sarah
Creedon at iccsummerschool@gmail.com.
What do you consider as most beneficial so far
in the LLM programme?
The mixed experience of the lecturers is really great
since they have both academic and field experience,
and generally there is someone at the Centre who
can answer any query or question you have!
11th Summer School in Cinema, Human
Rights and Advocacy, 16th -25th of June 2016
This Summer School programme has for the last 10
years attracted young talented filmmakers, human
rights professionals, and activists from across the
world who wish to engage in an exciting training
course where ideas and projects are shared,
developed and challenged by fellow participants and
internationally acclaimed experts of film, television,
photography and human rights.
The Summer School is led by our director Nick
Danziger an internationally renowned practitioner
in the field of human rights documentary making,
and our associate director Claudia Modonesi a
human rights expert and media trainer. The 10-day
programme consists of eight teaching sessions,
workshops and film screenings that combine human
rights expertise and media studies. Sessions develop
issues relating to the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, a History of Human Rights Cinema,
Freedom of Expression and Censorship, the Use of
Video in Human Rights Documentation and
Advocacy, Producing Social Documentaries, the
Role of Media in Period of Conflict and Production
and Distribution of Human Rights Films. Each
module is illustrated by film or documentary
screenings.
Elements of the summer school include information
on the fundamentals of human rights, how to raise
awareness of human rights on camera, developing a
project proposal and how these ideas should be
pitched.
This is a unique training opportunity in Cinema,
Human Rights and Advocacy!
APPLY NOW!
Deadline for applications is the 30th of April 2016.
For more information please visit www.chra.ie or
email us at info@chra.ie.
Social media:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Summer-School-inCinema-Human-Rights-and-Advocacy
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Anne-Catherine
Belgium
Why did you choose the
ICHR?
I chose to do the LL.M. in
International Criminal Law
because of the reputation of the Centre.
How do you like the studying at the ICHR?
I love studying here because the groups are very
small thereby there is a lot of room for
discussion in class. The way of teaching is not a
typical way of teaching in a big auditorium. I
have the impression that I learn more in an
interactive class.
What do you consider as most beneficial so
far in the LL.M. programme?
The Professors and the examination form. The
examination form for most courses are essays. I
learned much more from researching and
writing essays than from learning everything by
heart for an exam.
/IrishHumanRights
/IrishCentreHR
humanrights@nuigalway.ie
Irish Centre for Human Rights
National University of Ireland, Galway
Phone: +353 (0)91 493948
E-mail: humanrights@nuigalway.ie
Web: www.nuigalway.ie/human_rights