The Armenian Bar Association is pleased to offer an Internship Program at the Human Rights Defender’s Office of the Republic of Armenia. The program’s objective is to provide hands-on experiences and real-life opportunities to law students, recent law school graduates, and new attorneys who have a demonstrated keen interest in human rights.
About the Human Rights Defender’s Office:
The Human Rights Defender is an independent official who observes the maintenance of human rights and freedoms by public and local self-government bodies and officials, and in cases prescribed by law also organizations: facilitates the restoration of violated rights and freedoms; and improves normative legal acts related to rights and freedoms.
Key functions include:
- Complaint Handling: The Defender reviews individual and collective complaints and investigates issues on their own initiative.
- Preventive Activities: Engages in systemic preventive measures, such as reviewing laws and regulations for compliance with constitutional rights, and submitting amicus briefs to the Constitutional Court.
- Legislative Recommendations: Develops and submits recommendations for amendments to legal acts and reviews draft laws related to human rights.
- National Preventive Mechanism: Oversees compliance with the UN Convention Against Torture and the Optional Protocol, as well as monitoring the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
- Reporting: Publishes annual reports on human rights protection and issues special reports on torture prevention and significant human rights violations.
In the context of her legal mission, the Human Rights Defender conducts discussions on individual and collective complaints, as well as discussions on her own initiative. The Defender also conducts discussions on concrete complaints and cases (on her own initiative), as well as preventive activities at the systematic level.
Preventive activities at the systematic level include, for example, applying to the Constitutional Court in regard to compliance of laws, decisions of the National Assembly, orders and instructions of the President of the Republic of Armenia, decisions of the Government and the Prime-Minister, by-laws with Chapter 2 of the Constitution stating regulations on basic rights and freedoms of the human being and the citizen. In the framework of cooperation with the Constitutional Court, the Defender also presents a special opinion (amicus brief) on human rights-related cases examining in the Court.
As part of her function on promoting the development of normative legal acts, the Human Rights Defender develops and submits recommendations to the competent authorities on making amendments and supplements to legal acts, including providing an opinion on draft laws on human rights and freedoms.
The Human Rights Defender is entrusted with the mandate of the National Preventive Mechanism provided by the Optional Protocol — adopted on 18 December 2002 — to the 1984 UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in the Republic of Armenia.
The Human Rights Defender also conducts the monitoring of the implementation of the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted on 20 November 1989, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) adopted on 13 December 2006, as well as carries out the prevention of violations of the rights of the child and persons with disabilities, and the protection thereof.
The Human Rights Defender annually, until March 31 presents to the National Assembly the annual communication on the activities thereof during the previous year, as well as on the state of protection of human rights and freedoms. As the National Preventive Mechanism, the Defender during the first quarter of each year, publishes and presents a separate report to the National Assembly on activities aimed at preventing torture and other forms of ill treatment. In relation to specific issues forming public resonance or gross violations of human rights, the Defender publishes ad hoc public reports or communications.
Below are the links of the Human Rights Defender’s Office latest reports:
https://www.ombuds.am/images/files/c21b3daa983465bea149c85cf9f2cec3.pdf
https://www.ombuds.am/images/files/c633369afec7fa8d34d985ee99c2aeaa.pdf
https://www.ombuds.am/images/files/34b7bedf65b11eccc9be20dd5ee9d22a.pdf
Additionally, you can find more information about the HRDO of Armenia on the official website:
Internship at the HRDO:
Interns will be assigned to the Human Rights Defender’s Office, specifically to the International Cooperation Department and to the Research, Expertise, and Education Center.
Internship Overview: Interns at the Human Rights Defender’s Office (HRDO) will have the opportunity to work within two key departments: the International Cooperation Department and the Research, Expertise, and Education Center. Each department offers a unique set of responsibilities and learning experiences tailored to specific aspects of human rights advocacy and research.
1. International Cooperation Department:
Role and Responsibilities: Interns assigned to the International Cooperation Department will engage in activities that support the HRDO’s global outreach and international partnerships. This department focuses on fostering relationships with international human rights organizations, foreign ombuds institutions, and regional networks.
Key responsibilities of the intern:
- Building International Partnerships: Assist in developing and maintaining connections with global human rights entities and ombuds institutions. This includes preparing legal correspondence, organizing and attending meetings, and coordinating joint initiatives.
- Event Coordination: Support the planning and execution of international conferences, workshops, and seminars. Responsibilities may include developing legal programming, drafting agendas, and managing participant communications.
- Research and Reporting: Conduct research on international human rights standards, agreements, and best practices. Prepare detailed reports and briefings that inform the HRDO’s international strategy and activities.
- Project Assistance: Help manage and implement international cooperation projects, including cross-border human rights programs and capacity-building efforts. This involves tracking project progress, preparing documentation, and assisting in project evaluations.
2. Research, Expertise, and Education Center:
Role and Responsibilities: Interns placed in the Research, Expertise, and Education Center will focus on the HRDO’s research, analysis, and educational outreach efforts. This department is dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of human rights issues through rigorous research and expert analysis.
Key responsibilities of the intern:
- Conducting Research: Engage in comprehensive legal research on various human rights topics, including legal frameworks, case studies, and emerging issues. This involves collecting data, analyzing trends, and synthesizing findings into reports.
- Expert Analysis: Assist in the development of expert analyses and policy recommendations based on legal research findings. Contribute to drafting position papers, policy briefs, and advisory documents that inform the HRDO’s work and public advocacy.
- Educational Outreach: Support the design and implementation of educational programs and training workshops. This may include creating educational materials, organizing events, and evaluating the effectiveness of educational initiatives.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Participate in monitoring and evaluating human rights projects and programs. Assist in assessing the impact of these initiatives and providing recommendations for improvement.
- Documentation and Communication: Prepare and review reports, legal research papers, and other documentation. Ensure that research outputs are clear, accurate, and effectively communicated to relevant stakeholders.
Internship Experience: This internship provides a comprehensive legal learning experience by offering exposure to both international relations and in-depth legal research within the human rights field. Interns will gain practical skills in research, project management, and international collaboration, contributing to the advancement of human rights protection and advocacy.
Education
To qualify for the internship with the Human Rights Defender’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, an applicant must be enrolled in a US or Canada based law school and have completed at minimum the first year at the time of the start of the internship. Applications from recent graduates awaiting bar results and new attorneys are also encouraged.
Languages
Armenian is the working language of the Human Rights Defender’s Office. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for the internship program. Knowledge of the Armenian and other languages would be an asset.
Application Process
Interested applicants should submit the following application materials on a rolling basis to [email protected] with the title “HRO Internship” in the subject line:
- Cover letter outlining the reason for your interest in the work of the Human Rights Ombudsperson’s Office of the Republic of Armenia;
- Résumé;
- Writing sample; and
- Current law school transcript (unofficial is fine)
Selection Process
- Armenian Bar Selection Committee conducts screening interviews with select applicants and identifies a limited number of finalists to be interviewed by Ombudsperson.
- Finalists are then selected for placements.
- Start-dates may vary with each applicant.
Students accepted into the program may receive public service hours or may qualify for independent self-study project as approved by the student’s law school requirements.
Final Selection of Interns
Screening interviews, administered to aid in evaluating applicant qualifications, will be conducted on a rolling basis. We will attempt to interview applicants in the city where they attend school and conduct such interviews in-person. Applicants will be contacted by their assigned screener to schedule the interview.
Only qualified applicants will be advanced to the round of Ombudsperson interview and will be notified when they are moved forward to the next level.
Ombudsperson
The Ombudsperson will determine her own protocols and processes for interviews and ultimate selections. To be clear, not all applicants will be granted an interview even after the Armenian Bar Association Selection Committee forwards its candidates.
The Ombudsperson, in her individual discretion, but with input from the Armenian Bar, will determine which applicants she will interview and ultimately hire. If an applicant has been selected for an interview, she or he will be notified either by the Ombudsperson or by the Armenian Bar staff.
The Ombudsperson interview will be conducted over the internet. The interviews are slated to last approximately 30 minutes.
If an applicant has individual constraints on her or his summer availability, she or he must inform the Armenian Bar prior to scheduling an interview. The Ombudsperson will determine the exact length of the internship, and she may expect applicants to stay longer than the six-week minimum.
If an applicant declines an offered position, she or he will be removed from consideration for other positions unless there are extenuating circumstances.
If an applicant is accepted into the program, the applicant warrants that she or he is committed to participate and fulfill the requirements outlined by the program.
Past Interns
Contact
[email protected] for more information.