Advocating for the UNHCR’s persons of concern
This summer, I had the privilege of interning in the Human Rights Liaison Unit (“HRLU”) of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (“UNHCR”) through the International Human Rights Program (“IHRP”). In reflecting upon my experience, I feel confident in saying that my internship was monumental with respect to both personal and professional growth. In my role, I was afforded the chance to work on projects which felt truly meaningful and which painted a much clearer picture of what a career in international law might actually look like. I am deeply grateful to have had the chance to work in a team of dedicated and passionate professionals and to integrate myself into the vibrant and diverse intern community at UNHCR. Meeting and befriending so many talented and passionate people from around the world has been an irreplaceable experience and has allowed me to forge connections which I hope will remain far into the future.
In the broadest sense, the HRLU’s work lies at the juncture between human rights law (i.e., international human rights treaties, treaty bodies committees, etc.) and UNHCR’s persons of concern. While the HRLU is a relatively small unit, it falls within the broader Protection Policy and Legal Advice Section, under the Division of International Protection. Accordingly, throughout the summer, I was given the chance to work on topics which concerned both international human rights law and international refugee law. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to not only approach these topics from the perspective of legal research, but also to observe and participate in their practical application under the supervision of two incredibly kind and knowledgeable supervisors.
One of my first assignments working in the HRLU was to support the unit in a Human Rights Engagement Workshop which was to be held in person with UNHCR field colleagues in Iraq. I conducted research on the international, regional, and national human rights frameworks in Iraq in order to better inform the training workshop. This included reviewing the treaty body committees’ most recent reports relating to the nine core international human rights treaties and distilling the most relevant recommendations contained therein. I also had the opportunity to research frameworks such as the regional Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s human rights framework, as well as Iraq’s own national human rights infrastructure. While I did not get to go to Iraq in person, this assignment allowed me to better understand the relationship between regional and national frameworks and how they interact with realities on the ground.
The most substantive (and exciting) assignment I worked on during my time with the HRLU was attending the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council (“HRC 53”), which is the primary human rights body of the United Nations. HRC 53 covered a vast array of human rights topics including the Rohingya refugee crisis, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the conflict in Sudan, and the human rights implications of emerging digital technologies. In my role, I attended and took notes on sessions most relevant to UNHCR’s persons of concern. Further, I helped lead UNHCR’s engagement with HRC 53 through coordinating with colleagues who were subject-matter focal points. While the prospect of attending the HRC session was certainly intimidating at first, having the opportunity to attend such a significant forum allowed me to cultivate a much deeper understanding of numerous human rights issues and the manner in which such concerns often intersect.
While HRC 53 was the primary conference I attended during my time with the HRLU, I also had the opportunity to attend several other conferences on relevant topics. This included the RightsCon conference on human rights in the digital age and the Global Summit on Gender and Nationality Laws. Another conference I was able to participate in was the Fourth Annual Nelson Mandela Human Rights Lecture, which complemented the 15th Nelson Mandela Human Rights Moot Competition. For this conference, I drafted the statement of the Assistant High Commissioner, who was slated to provide opening remarks for the event. While I did not get to attend the event in person, this opportunity was deeply exciting and a highlight of my time with the HRLU.
Finally, while interning at UNHCR, I had the opportunity to work with the Intern Board. Composed of around a dozen interns, the Intern Board serves to improve the livelihoods and well-being of interns at UNHCR. This includes the organization of recreational social activities as well as more serious matters such as fair pay and treatment. Despite being a relatively young organization, the Intern Board (along with the Fair Internship Initiative) was responsible for successfully advocating for non-sponsored interns at UNHCR to be financially compensated for their work through a travel/living stipend. Much of the Intern Board’s work remains in its early stages, but during my time, I saw many exciting ideas take off, including the drafting of a constitution and the establishment of a global UNHCR intern directory. In addition, I got to meet with the High Commissioner himself and assist in composing a survey and research report on timely pay and working conditions.
Above all else, participating in the Intern Board provided me with an opportunity to connect and befriend an amazing group of young professionals who I hope will remain close friends long into the future. To any future IHRP fellow who may seek to pursue this opportunity, I strongly encourage you to do the same!
