International Commission of Jurists

Organisation Profile

The ICJ is a global network of judges, lawyers and human rights defenders united by international law and rule of law principles that advance human rights. Using it’s expertise in law, justice systems and advocacy, it works for victims to obtain remedies, for those responsible for abuses to be held accountable and for justice systems to be independent and active protectors of human rights. The ICJ works to change law and policy at the national and international levels when they do not adequately protect people from human rights violations.

The ICJ’s greatest asset is its network of 60 Commissioners, 37 National Sections and 45 Affiliated Organizations. Having as its members many of the world’s most prominent judges, lawyers and human rights defenders, the ICJ is able to mobilize authoritative and practical expertise on most rule of law and human rights issues. The ICJ network crosses linguistic, cultural and legal frontiers, spread across all regions of the world. It can command attention at the highest levels of the judiciary, legislature and executive.

In addition to five regional programmes the ICJ has four international programme areas. The Global Security and Rule of Law Programme works for counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices to respect legal principles, especially international human rights and humanitarian law. The Judges and Lawyers Programme works for justice systems that are independent and active protectors of human rights and that guarantee fair trials and ensure access to justice for the most marginalized. The International Economic Relations Programme is shaping the emerging human rights legal accountability of business corporations. Through the International Law and Protection Programme the ICJ takes a leading role in advocating for new global and regional standards when existing standards and mechanisms do not adequately protect against human rights violations and the ICJ is actively involved in reform of the UN human rights system.

The Commissioners set the organisational policy, which is then implemented by the International Secretariat responsible for the realisation of the aims and objectives of the Commission. Based in Geneva, the International Secretariat draws staff from all regions of the world and various legal systems.

Intern Profile

ICJ Interns work at the international secretariat in Geneva on the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Project.  The SOGI project encourages the application of international human rights law to violations that are based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The ICJ has worked on SOGI issues since 2004. In 2006 the ICJ and the International Service for Human Rights facilitated the expert process that led to the development of The Yogyakarta Principles: Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. The ICJ also issues regular compilations of SOGI-related jurisprudence from UN, Inter-American, and European human rights bodies. In 2009, the ICJ published its Practitioners Guide No. 4: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and International Human Rights Law.

The ICJ promotes the application of international human rights law to violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity in a variety of ways. The SOGI Project brings SOGI issues to the attention of relevant human rights bodies and tribunals, including the treaty bodies and special procedures of the UN. The Project files briefs in domestic or international court cases as amicus or third-party interveners. The SOGI Project distributes and promotes the use of the Yogyakarta Principles and the Practitioners Guide through training workshops, seminars, and other public events. Finally, the Project continues to research and write on legal developments in the SOGI field.

 For further information, please refer to the ICJ’s website: http://www.icj.org/ 

Elegibility Criteria

To be eligible, interns must have completed at least 4 years of full-time study (of a joint degree, or the equivalent) and be between 22 and 28 years old at the commencement of the internship. 

The chosen intern must commit to interning for a minimum of 4 months.

Please click here for additional eligibility criteria.

Selection Criteria

The following selection criteria will be taken into account by the Castan Centre in choosing the intern and applicants are advised to directly address each criterion in the personal statement.

• A demonstrated interest in human rights as shown through your practical or academic experiences;
• Strong academic record, in particular marks received in human rights and other relevant subjects;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Application Process

This internship is part of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law's Global Internship Program.  For full details of the application process, go to the Global Internship homepage.

Equity grants

The Student Mobility Equity Grants have been developed as part of the Law Faculty Student Mobility Fund to provide financial assistance for faculty internship programs to those students who can demonstrate financial hardship. Students are advised to apply for Equity Grants by the Equity Grant application deadline of 20 August 2010. Contact Cathy Meredith (below) for more details about Equity Grants.

Contact information

If you would like further information about this internship please contact:

Forms

Global Internship Application Form

Other Useful Information

Past Intern Report - Divina Naidu

Accommodation and cost of living hints Geneva - Jeremy Noye 2010
Accommodation and cost of living hints Geneva - Jihan Mirza 2008
Accommodation and cost of living hints Geneva - Bridi Rice 2007