Arguing Their Way to California: STU Moot Court Makes it to American Nationals
In just its second year, St. Thomas University’s moot court team has earned a place in the National Moot Court Collegiate Championships in Long Beach, California. STU placed two teams in the top eight of the regional competition at Fitchburg, MA in November. Now, students Stefen Savoy, Marlee Charlton, Madison Makepeace and Lauran Haas will be representing St. Thomas in California in January.
Charlton, from Lawrencetown, NS, is a Human Rights and History major. She was also recognized with a speaker award—placing 18th out of 108. Charlton’s plan has always been to pursue a career in law, and she saw taking the moot court course as a way to get her feet wet. “It’s been one of the most rewarding classes I’ve had at St. Thomas. I was hoping it would help solidify the decision that I wanted to go to law school and it definitely has,” she said.
Human Rights Speaker Series – Reflecting on Disability Rights 25 Years after the Americans with Disabilities Act, Dr. Fikru Gebrekidan
In the 1990’s, US President George H. Bush signed the American with Disabilities Act. The passing of the act was a watershed point in itself, as it represented the climax of many decades of grassroots mobilization and social activism. Within the United States, the passing of the ADA meant having to imagine disability differently, often through the social model perspective. At the international level, the ADA became the gold standard for a new series of human rights regimes, leading to the 2007 United Nations Covenant on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Human Rights Speaker Series – “Canada and the World after the 2015 Election”
The Atlantic Human Rights Centre invites you to the inaugural lecture of its Human Rights Speaker Series – “Canada and the World after the 2015 Election.”
Vigod Memorial Lecture – Alex Neve on “After the Election: Where Next for Canada and Human Rights?”
The secretary general of Amnesty International Canada, Alex Neve, will deliver the Vigod Memorial Lecture on November 4 at 6:00 pm in the Ted Daigle Auditorium, Edmund Casey Hall. “It is an honour for the Atlantic Human Rights Centre to welcome Alex Neve to deliver the Vigod Lecture. We are looking forward to hearing updates on Amnesty International’s ongoing campaigns Stop Torture, No More Stolen Sisters and Open for Justice,” said Dr. Christina Szurlej, professor in the Human Rights Program and director of the Atlantic Human Rights Centre.
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance
An enforced disappearance occurs when an individual is arrested, detained, abducted or otherwise deprived of liberty outside of the protection of the law by the State or with State complicity. No one knows of his or her whereabouts, or whether he or she is alive. It constitutes a hybrid violation of rights, including the right to liberty and security, prohibition of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment, the right to a fair trial and, in some cases, the right to life. Under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, there are no exceptions or justifications for an enforced disappearance.
Yet, halting enforced disappearances worldwide is far from over. In Mexico alone, over 26,000 individuals disappeared from 2006 to 2012; three years later, 43 students “disappeared” from Ayotziapa College. Don’t let victims of enforced disappearance be forgotten. These and all other enforced disappearances must be investigated and those responsible held accountable. Victims and their families deserve to know the truth, and should receive due restitution and compensation.
Moot Court Gives Lindsay McLellan, BA’15, a Rare Advantage for Law School
Lindsay McLellan, BA’15, will begin law school this fall with a significant advantage over her first-year peers—court room experience in front of real judges. St. Thomas offers the only undergraduate moot court program in Canada, and McLellan represented the university in two international competitions—one in Fitchburg, MA, and the other in Chicago, IL.
“Being involved in the program enabled me to stand out among a sea of worthy candidates during the competitive law school application process,” McLellan said. “The opportunity to have a hands-on learning experience where I was able to use my education in a practical way was something I couldn’t pass up.”