Notre Dame International Human Rights Law students selected for prestigious international clerkships and internships
Students from Notre Dame Law School’s International Human Rights Law programs have been admitted to serve prestigious international clerkships and internships in the following courts: the International Criminal Court; African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights; Inter-American Court of Human Rights; The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations Office and Specialised Agencies in Geneva; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
At Notre Dame Law School, we are committed to educating a “different kind of lawyer” through offering opportunities that shape our students into well-rounded, culturally aware, and globally competent legal practitioners and human rights defenders. Meet six of our outstanding students in the Law School’s LL.M. and J.S.D. International Human Rights Law programs who will be using their legal knowledge and cultural competence to advocate for human dignity, justice, and equality in communities across the globe.
Nourhan Fahmy
Nourhan Fahmy (from Egypt) was selected by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, Switzerland, for their new three-month internship position focusing on the Middle East and North Africa.
Duties will include the systematic collection and analysis of information regarding the human rights situation of countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, including the preparation of reports, documents, and other written materials and, in particular, the researching and drafting of individual cases of alleged human rights violations.
“As the Middle East and North Africa intern, I will support the OHCHR in fulfilling its mission to protect and promote human rights,” said Fahmy. "I am so grateful to be selected for this role during a very critical time in the MENA region. As I am about to graduate from Notre Dame Law School, I am eager to capitalize on everything I have learned and all the work I have previously done in research and advocacy on human rights and the rule of law for this new role.”
Fahmy added, “I believe this will be a turning point in my career, and I will dedicate all my energy to serve the mission of the OHCHR to support the immensely critical role of the UN mechanisms dedicated to maintaining international peace and security."
Lehlohonolo January
Starting in fall 2024, Lehlohonolo January (from South Africa) will pursue a 12-month clerkship at the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights in Tanzania. The objective of the internship is to allow candidates to develop a greater understanding of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights; develop new skills, knowledge, and experiences; gain up-to-date knowledge of current working practices of the Court; increase opportunities for career development and progression; and establish networks.
“In furtherance of these objectives, my duties will include conducting research in preparation for hearings, preparing analytical notes that assess the arguments in light of the law, and assisting Judges in fulfilling all assigned duties,” said January.
“The aspect of the internship I am most looking forward to is working with a diverse bench of Judges from different parts of Africa,” he said. “Learning from Judges who represent the best of their regions will be a truly enriching experience.”
Vitaliy Kosovych
Starting next month, Vitaliy Kosovych (from Ukraine) will pursue a 12-month legal internship at The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations Office and Specialised Agencies in Geneva.
Kosovych will be responsible for conducting legal research on various international law topics; assisting in drafting legal documents such as briefs, reports, memoranda, and statements for meetings, conferences, and negotiations on a wide range of legal issues, including human rights, humanitarian law, and international development; monitoring discussions, debates, and developments in international forums relevant to the Holy See's mission and providing analysis on how these developments may impact the Holy See's positions and policies; and assisting diplomats and legal advisors in preparing for and participating in meetings, conferences, and other events at the international organizations.
“As a legal intern at The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations Office and Specialised Agencies in Geneva, I am profoundly honored to contribute to the promotion of justice, peace, and human rights on the global stage,” said Kosovych. “I look forward to engaging in legal research, supporting diplomatic efforts, and learning from esteemed colleagues, all while furthering the Catholic Church’s mission in international affairs.”
Zalwango Racheal Sanyu
Zalwango Racheal Sanyu (from Uganda) will serve as a Visiting Professional in the Trial Chambers at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands from September 2024 to February 2025.
In this role, Sanyu will be conducting in-depth legal research and analysis of questions of international criminal law, public international law, international humanitarian law, and human rights law; providing legal advice on the interpretation and application of the Court's documents; summarizing evidence material, submissions, and decisions; and assisting in the drafting of decisions.
Sanyu expressed that she looks forward to an enriching experience for her career. “The Call of Justice and accountability for human rights violations around the world in the current times is undeniably deafening. It is an honor for me to serve at the International Criminal Court during this time in history,” said Sanyu.
Valentina del Sol Salazar Rivera
Beginning in fall 2024, Valentina del Sol Salazar Rivera (from Colombia) will pursue a 12-month clerkship at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San José, Costa Rica. She hopes to contribute to the legal analysis of cases and the drafting of decisions on international state responsibility for human rights violations.
"This is an uncanny opportunity for my professional development that will allow me to go back to the Court in a more challenging role and put into practice everything that I learned in the LL.M. program,” said Rivera. “Additionally, this clerkship will set my path towards my intended doctoral research on precedent in human rights tribunals.”
Nicolás E. Buitrago Rey
International Human Rights Law LL.M. alumnus and current J.S.D. candidate Nicolás E. Buitrago Rey (from Colombia) has been awarded research fellowships at both the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace. He will be conducting his J.S.D. research in both Courts under the fellowships.
As a Research Visitor and Visiting Professional at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San José, Costa Rica, Buitrago will support the Court's Supervision Unit and conduct research related to his doctoral dissertation, which is being supervised by Professor Diane Desierto.
"My Research Visit to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights will allow me to learn how the Court understands the design and compliance of human rights reparations. Moreover, I will be able to share the Kellogg Institute Reparations Design and Compliance Lab's quantitative and qualitative databases with the Court,” said Buitrago.
In addition, Buitrago will be a Research Visitor and Visiting Professional at the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) in Bogotá, Colombia in the spring of 2025. There, he will support JEP in the adjudication of Special Sanctions and conduct research related to his doctoral dissertation.
“My Research Visit to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace will be crucial for my J.S.D. dissertation research about sanctions with remedial effects in transitional justice,” he said. “Being in the Tribunal for Peace will enable me to understand the complexities of transitional justice challenges about special sanctions.”
Buitrago will spend three months as a Research Visitor and Visiting Professional at each location.
We are so proud of our students from the Notre Dame Law School International Human Rights Law LL.M. and J.S.D. programs for the global impact they are making as advocates for human dignity and justice.
Learn more about our programs in International Human Rights Law here: https://law.nd.edu/academics/llm-international-human-rights-law/