INTERNSHIP REPORT

 

 

Intern: Annie Jungyoun Han

Organization: Inter-American Court of Human Rights

Homepage: http://www.corteidh.or.cr

Address: Avenida 10, Calles 45 y 47 Los Yoses, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica

Supervisor: Ms. Auxiliadora Solano and Mr. Jorge Calderon

Internship period: 09 May 2011 – 12 August 2011, Full Time

 

 

Overview of the Organization:

 

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights, also known in Spanish as Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, is located in San José, Costa Rica. It was established in 1979. Together with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, it makes up the human rights protection system of the Organization of American States (OAS). Its objective is the application and interpretation of the

American Convention on Human Rights and other treaties concerning this same matter. 

Its two main functions are thus adjudicatory and advisory. Under the former, it hears and rules on the specific cases of human rights violations referred to it. Under the latter, it issues opinions on matters of legal interpretation brought to its attention by other OAS bodies or member states. The Court is formed by jurists of the highest moral standing and widely recognized competence in the area of Human Rights, who are elected in an individual capacity.

Internship Activities:

 

Twenty interns and visiting professionals around the world were selected for the summer period of 2011. We were each assigned to work within the Court’s legal department, in different teams composed of a senior lawyer, junior lawyer, legal assistants, and interns. Each team took different cases and provisional measures. I had the privilege of working in depth on the Case Mejía-Idrovo v. Ecuador. Preliminary Objections, Merits, Reparations, and Costs and Provisional Measures, Matter of Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian-origin in the Dominican Republic regarding Dominican Republic”.

My main duties were to:

1.      Research, write and analyze international human rights issues and jurisprudence

2.      Assist with the process of contentious cases, advisory opinions, provisional measures and supervision of the compliance of the Court’s judgments

3.      Providing logistical assistance during public hearings and developing legal arguments for specific cases. 

4.      Participate in the daily activities of the Court, such as the review and translation of documents, and other administrative tasks.

Lessons from the Internship:

Internship with the Court was a valuable experience because I participated in the operation of the Inter-American System. Despite the fact the cases in number are not many, it takes a long time until the decision is reached and published. This is because hard work is required as soon as a case is referred. Carrying out fact finding, confirming each party’s allegations against all the information and communications received by the Court, and ascertaining if the footnotes had correct source were time-consuming. But knowing one mistake could lead to different rulings that would decide a victim’s fate, I learned to be meticulous.

While completing my individual work, I have learned to keep in mind that these individual works would contribute to a team project. Constant communications among team members -whether it be notification of work progress or seeking advice and information from each other- was very important in boosting the morale. The team felt the sense of fulfillment and pride in the work that we have done when we saw our work woven together and published on the webpage in the shape of Court’s final decision.

Another experience that I appreciated through this internship is observing public hearings. Textbook learning had come to life and the gravity of cases was a reality. Although my job description was strictly to stay within the facts and laws, hearing victims’ ordeal was a fresh reminder why we are in human rights field working hard to realize justice.

I would like to conclude by expressing my gratitude to my supervisors Ms. Auxiliadora Solano and Mr. Jorge Calderon for patiently guiding me throughout the internship, giving me constructive feedback on the work I have done, and taking interns’ perspectives into consideration. I would also like to thank all my other fellow interns with whom I have exchanged diverse cultures, shared beautiful natures of Costa Rica, danced away hardships, and drawn the future.