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This piece was originally published by the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs. Presenting research to UN officials, business and NGO leaders, and grassroots activists in Geneva, Switzerland is not an ordinary law school assignment; for Taryn Shanes ‘25, the task was not only part of her clinic work, but the “linchpin” of her law school experience. Shanes travelled…

To shed light on the legal and ethical concerns they raise, the Gazette interviewed Bonnie Docherty, lecturer on law at Harvard Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC), who attended some of the U.N. meetings. Docherty is also a senior researcher in the Arms Division of Human Rights Watch. This interview has been condensed and edited for length and clarity.

Victor Madrigal-Borloz joins our team this spring as a Practitioner-in-Residence, working with students on projects related to sexual orientation and gender identity. From 2018-2023, Victor served as the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. He is also a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School…

French duty of vigilance law means Carrefour can be held accountable for slavery, human trafficking, torture in its tuna supply chain 

A year ago this past week, on November 18, 2022, Syrian survivor and refugee Nujeen Mustafa spoke to delegates at the signing ceremony of the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas. Signed by 83 countries, this groundbreaking declaration aims to better protect civilians from…

States should make addressing the consequences of nuclear weapons a priority in order to achieve the humanitarian purpose of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Articles 6 and 7 of the TPNW include obligations for states parties to assist victims of and remediate environmental harm stemming from nuclear weapons use and testing, as well as to provide international cooperation and assistance to affected states parties.

An updated brochure on humanitarian disarmament, recently published by Harvard Law School’s Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative (ACCPI), offers an overview of this people-centered approach to governing weapons. The brochure aims to provide a better understanding of the cross-cutting concept of humanitarian disarmament as well as an introduction to the key issues it covers.

Four years after United Nations peacekeepers left Haiti amid a legacy of human rights abuses, foreign security forces are preparing to return once again. This month, the U.N. Security Council took the momentous step of authorizing a multinational force for Haiti, led by Kenya.