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Human Rights Centre

Human Rights Centre Clinic

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Protecting human rights around the world

The Human Rights Centre Clinic is part of one of the oldest academic Human Rights Centres in the world, and continues to conduct key research to protect human rights globally.

Founded in 2009, the Human Rights Centre Clinic runs projects that enable students to apply their human rights knowledge to practical situations and further develop their professional skills, working in partnership with civil society organisations, international organisations, governments and national human rights institutions. There are two opportunities open to students to participate in.

The first opportunity is the Human Rights Clinic Module, which combines projects with partners and classroom study and is open to postgraduate human rights students. This year there are six module-based projects. Applications for 2022-23 will open in the Autumn Term.

The second opportunity is to participate in one of our two stand-alone projects. Each project has its own eligibility requirements and application process. Applications for 2022-23 will open in the Autumn Term.

Learn more about the types of projects the Clinic undertakes, or if you're an organisation interested in being involved with the Human Rights Centre Clinic, you can find out how to become a partner.

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What sort of projects does the Clinic undertake?

Projects address various types of human rights and humanitarian law-related issues. They generally involve research that partners need in order to further human rights advocacy and/or implementation of human rights or humanitarian law norms.

Our projects are grounded in international human rights or humanitarian law. Some projects are interdisciplinary in their approach, and projects employ a variety of research methods. In selecting projects and partners, we ensure that in any academic year, there are projects focusing on a range of regions and human rights issues.

The projects may support litigation, advocacy, policy and programme development or technical guidance on human rights for civil society organisations, national human rights institutions, governments, UN human rights bodies and international organisations.

Current and recent international partners include Dejustica, Minority Rights Group, Amnesty International, and WHO. Current and recent national partners include the Philippines Human Rights Commission, and national NGOs in countries including the UK, Morocco, Uganda and the Philippines.

Partners choose to work with the Clinic because at Essex we have gifted human rights students as well as specialised faculty support with the expertise that partners need. See how you can become one of our partners.

Module-based Human Rights Clinic projects

The Human Rights Centre Clinic also runs module-based projects as part of the Human Rights Centre Clinic Module (HU902). These projects are open to postgraduate human rights students. Explore our projects for 2022-2023. Applications will open in the Autumn Term.

Stand-alone Human Rights Clinic projects

The Human Rights Centre Clinic also runs stand-alone projects. For the 2022-23 academic year, we will be running the Arbitrary Detention Redress Unit which provides opportunities to postgraduate human rights students studying at the University of Essex. Applications will open in the Autumn Term.

Find out more information about working in the Human Rights Centre Clinic, and how to apply for both module-based and stand-alone projects.

Module-based projects for 2022-23

Anti-Discrimination Laws in the Middle East and North Africa

Anti-Discrimination Laws in the Middle East and North Africa

The project will contribute to the understanding of the impact of anti-discrimination laws on minorities and indigenous peoples in the Middle East and North Africa, and will inform the research, training and advocacy by Minority Rights Group in the region.

Debt Justice, Corporate Capture and Human Rights

Debt Justice, Corporate Capture and Human Rights

The project will contribute to promote accountability for corporate capture and highlight corporate impact and responsibilities in relation to human rights and debt.

Guarantees of Non-Recurrence in Transitional Justice

Guarantees of Non-Recurrence in Transitional Justice

This project will examine what Colombia has done to provide guarantees of non-recurrence after periods of massive violence or systematic human rights violations.

Implementing the Right to a Healthy Environment at the National Level

Implementing the Right to a Healthy Environment at the National Level

This project will examine the implications of the international recognition of the right to a healthy environment at the level of national laws and policies, with a particular focus on the UK.

Investigations into Unlawful Killings and Torture during the Northern Ireland Conflict

Investigations into Unlawful Killings and Torture during the Northern Ireland Conflict

This project will contribute to the International Expert Panel on State Impunity and the Northern Ireland Conflict set up by the Committee on the Administration of Justice and the Pat Finucane Centre.

Oversight and Accountability of UK Special Forces

Oversight and Accountability of UK Special Forces

This project will map the mechanisms for oversight, scrutiny, and accountability of UK Special Forces activities, to provide recommendations for how the UK could ensure that Special Forces activities are subject to meaningful oversight and accountability, without compromising troops’ safety or national security, and provide advocacy opportunities to educate parliamentarians on investigations.

Stand-alone projects 2022-23

Arbitrary Detention Redress Unit

Arbitrary Detention Redress Unit

The Arbitrary Detention Redress Unit (ADRU) is based within the Human Rights Centre Clinic at the University of Essex and will be under the supervision of Dr Matthew Gillett, a United Nations Special Mandate holder, as an expert member of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

Past projects

Module-based projects 2021-2022

Module-based projects 2020-2021

Module-based projects which took place in 2020-2021 include:

Module-based projects 2019-2020

Module-based projects which took place in 2019-2020 include:

Previous stand-alone projects

Previous stand-alone projects have included:

Previous projects 2010-2018

Director

Dr Koldo Casla

Director

Human Rights Clinic, University of Essex

Dr Marina Lostal

Deputy-Director

Human Rights Clinic, University of Essex

Clinic Administrator

Human Rights Clinic, University of Essex

Dr Antonio Coco

Project Officer

Human Rights Centre Clinic, University of Essex

A group of protestors holding placards in a public demonstration on the streets of New York.

Human Rights Centre Clinic

Email: humanrightscentreclinic@essex.ac.uk