View all news

Visit to the United Nations in Geneva

26 September 2014

In July, University of Bristol Law School PhD student, Ben Hudson, travelled to Geneva to attend the first week of the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s 111th session.

In July, University of Bristol Law School PhD student, Ben Hudson, travelled to Geneva to attend the first week of the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s 111th session.

Attending under the name of the Human Rights Implementation Centre (HRIC), Ben observed the Committee’s review of States Parties’ compliance with treaty obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The session included reviews of Chile, Georgia, Malawi and Sudan.

Attendance at the session allowed Ben to witness first-hand the functioning and monitoring role of a key United Nations body. Further, this session was especially timely given that the topic of Ben’s doctoral research, the human rights protection of internally displaced persons, was an issue of primary concern in the reviews of Georgia and Sudan. As such, Ben gained valuable insights into recent developments in domestic legal provisions for conflict-affected populations. During the session, Ben took the opportunity to meet with Committee members to discuss his research, most notably the former UN Secretary-General’s Representative for the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Walter Kälin. While in Geneva, Ben also met with experts at the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, a leading international organisation in the monitoring and analysis of internal displacement.

‘This experience was insightful, fascinating and truly enjoyable. It proved to be an absolutely invaluable opportunity for me to meet with world-leading experts and develop the future direction of my research. I am tremendously grateful to Professor Malcolm Evans and Professor Rachel Murray, the HRIC, and the Law School for their support and encouragement.’

This year Ben will be entering the second year of his ESRC 1+3 PhD programme with the Law School. To speak further with Ben about his time in Geneva and for advice on attending UN sessions, please feel free to contact him at any time.

Ben with fellow NGO representatives at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Palais Wilson, Geneva, July 2014

Edit this page