Alumni

• Adam Hardcastle
  I am currently studying an LLM in International Law at the University of Edinburgh. I have a particular interest in public international law, the conflict between human rights and counter-terrorism measures, and international media law. I hope to work with an NGO or international organization in one of these areas after completing my Masters.

• Anou Margaux Sood
  After my time working with the Human Rights Law Clinic, I was inspired to pursue human rights and development projects across the globe. I became Vice-President of the Lawyers without Borders Bristol Society in my third year at the University of Bristol. Being part of the Human Rights Law Clinic was an extremely rewarding experience through which I was able to enhance my skillset and aid in developments in the field of Human Rights. My research and my implementation reports for cases sent by the Institute of Human Rights and Development in Africa allowed me to put my Law degree to practical use where I gained knowledge in research, teamwork, time management and much more.

• Celia Yu
  As an Alumni of the Human Rights Implementation Centre, I engaged in a research on ‘human rights at sea’ during 2018-2019. In the research group, I was responsible for searching the relevant maritime law and ratified human rights treaties in Taiwan. At the end of the project, we conducted a report together and published on the website of ‘Human Rights at Sea’ organization. Now, I continue a PhD in Law programme in University of Bristol. And my research topic is about restorative justice and its practices in China.

• Denisse Soto
  Alumni Relations Officer at the United Nations University for Peace (UPeace). Nicaraguan Lawyer. Master in Conflict Resolution, Peace, and Development from UPeace. Master of Laws from the University of Bristol. Over 10 years of experience in Corporate and International Law, Human Rights, Conflict Resolution, and Peace Studies.

• Emily Trinder
  Since working with the HRIC during my LLM International Law and International Relations studies, I have lived and worked in West and East Africa running various education projects, and I now work as a specialist in education and social development. I currently support the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP) to help policymakers around the world make cost-effective decisions in education programming. I specialise in girls' education and overcoming barriers to maximise learning. I work with fascinating experts from many countries and I'm thankful to HRIC for opening the early doors into this career.

• Fatima Awil
  Fatima Awil worked with the Human Rights Law Clinic during her LLM International Law and International Relations studies. In her capacity as a Policy Officer based in Belgium, Fatima has since pushed to influence the European Union, national and international legislation, and policies on the rights of people with disabilities, women, children and much more.

• Guy Atoun
  I was born in Kfar Saba, Israel and moved to England at the age of 12. I am interested in public law and human rights issues both domestically and internationally. I am also interested in the role decolonial thought and cultural particularism plays in the ongoing development of a global human rights system. I recently graduated with a LLM in Human Rights Law from UCL.

• Javier Eduardo Zelada De Leon
  "Mr. Zelada is an attorney in Guatemala and a Chevening alumni. He worked with the United States Embassy in Guatemala where he monitored the cases of US citizens arrested in Guatemala to ensure that their human rights were protected and that they received fair treatment. He conducted prison visits, attended court hearings, and interfaced with judges, prosecutors, defence attorneys and prison officials. He also processed extradition requests and welfare and whereabouts cases. Prior to his work at the Embassy, Mr. Zelada was a criminal defence attorney and worked for almost 5 years at the Supreme Court of Justice in Guatemala. He hopes to help combat the corruption that plagues government institutions in Guatemala and is committed to building institutional capacity in his home country.”

• Nakita Hedges
  I am an aspiring human rights lawyer and hope to provide a pathway to enable people to access justice. To achieve my goal I have completed my law degree and am now doing a masters in International Law and International Relations. I have also taken part in numerous activities including teaching the law to inmates in East Africa, co-founding a charity and joining the Human Rights Law Clinic.

• Nino Latsabidze
  I was awarded the degree of Master of Laws in Human Rights Law with distinction from the University of Bristol in 2019 and I also was a Chevening scholar 2018-2019. Currently, I work as a Deputy Head of International Relations and European Integration Department at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. I am actively involved in conducting bilateral and international relations and negotiations on legally binding documents, including with the UN, EU, Energy Community and other international organizations. I am a member of the Council of Europe Drafting Group on Human Rights and Environment, representing Georgia.

• Renata Politi
  Renata Politi is a Legal Officer at REDRESS, where she leads work on justice and accountability for discriminatory torture perpetrated against LGBTIQ+ persons, and on the implementation of anti-torture standards in Africa. She has a background in criminal law and international human rights, with experience in litigation and advocacy. Before joining REDRESS, Renata practiced as a criminal lawyer in Brazil, and worked on the implementation of UN treaties and national mechanisms. She was an associate of the Institute of Defence of the Right to a Defence, and spent time at the Human Rights Implementation Centre (Bristol), and at Universal Rights Group (Geneva). She holds an LLM from University of Bristol focused on International Human Rights, and postgraduate diplomas in criminal law from the University of Salamanca, and the University of Coimbra jointly with the Brazilian Institute of Criminal Sciences.

• Rishona Morrison
  Work involving human rights is highly topical and significant – it is why I applied to the HRLC and why I enjoyed it so much. I enjoyed the opportunity to research and learn about indigenous rights within third world countries; rights that are discussed less by those of us living in western societies. This not only broadened my understanding of human rights, but developed my world view. Alongside my clinic work, I was the Vice President of the University of Bristol African Caribbean Society (ACS). Together, these experiences improved my organisation and communication skills, but ultimately solidified my love for work that is people facing and makes an impact. Thus, having now graduated from my Law degree, I look forward to the future opportunities that allow me to continue such meaningful work.

• Samuel Oladiran
  Samuel is a fresh graduate of an interdisciplinary LL.M. in International Law and International Relations from the prestigious University of Bristol Law School. He originally graduated with a distinction from an LL.B. Common (English) Law degree at the University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland. Whilst in Bristol, Samuel served modestly at the University of Bristol Law Clinic and Human Rights Law clinic concurrently. He currently works for a leading financial institution in the United Kingdom. Samuel aims to ultimately practice as a qualified solicitor in the Litigation and Contentious Regulatory department of the financial institution – with a particular interest in arbitration and dispute resolution.

• Shang Xu
  Shang graduated from East China University of Political science and Law with BSM and LLB degree in 2020. Shang is studying the LLM International Commercial Law at the University of Bristol and is working in the HRLC in 2021. Shang is interested in human rights and international trade and has two working papers in submission.

• Yen Ning Tay
  I am a recent graduate from the University of Bristol's Law School. My time at the Human Rights Law Clinic involved conducting research for the Universal Rights Group concerning the existence and role of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-Up (NMIRFs). This experience was essential in shaping my interest in equality and inclusion.

• Judge Yusuf Aksar
  Judge Yusuf Aksar, who completed his PhD at the Law School in 2000, was elected as a judge for the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (“Mechanism”) by the UN General Assembly. He has been a Mechanism Judge since 2018. Yusuf Aksar as a Professor of International Law has also been teaching International Law and International Criminal Law at the Maltepe University Law Faculty in Istanbul-Türkiye.’'