International Justice Program Intern

Position description

The International Justice Program of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking graduate and law students for an internship based in an HRW Office in New York, Brussels, or Washington D.C. The intern should ideally be available for 16 to 18 hours per week beginning in mid to late September 2025 until early to mid December 2025, dates and times are flexible with possibility of extending. The internship will primarily focus on monitoring international law developments in targeted country situations and researching and drafting papers on issues of international justice. The intern will gain knowledge of international courts and international justice mechanisms and will build skills in legal research, writing, and advocacy. Close supervision and evaluation sessions will be held to provide the intern feedback and support.

Responsibilities

The intern will learn and be exposed to:

• Conducting legal research and analyzing international law;
• Reviewing and documenting media reports on relevant issues;
• Monitoring developments at the International Criminal Court;
• Conducting policy analysis of ongoing international justice developments;
• Identifying and understanding key issues in international justice;
• Compiling case research and drafting advocacy-style documents that will be used internally and as background for advocacy projects;
• Gaining familiarity with the Rome Statute and developing a greater attention to detail through footnoting and fact-checking; and
• Presenting information in a compelling manner in internal drafts.

Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, special events relating to human rights, as well as network with other HRW interns, volunteers, and employees. As an HRW intern, students will take skills acquired in school and apply them in a professional setting.

Qualifications

• Eligible applicants in Belgium include students enrolled in an accredited, degree-granting masters or law program for the duration of the internship term or recent graduates of an academic program who are undergoing an internship for further training;
• Eligible applicants in the United States must be enrolled in a graduate or law program for the duration of the internship term;
• Background in law (either an LLB, LLM, JD, or other relevant law degree) is highly desirable;
• Strong interest in international criminal justice and a demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues is highly desirable;
• Relevant coursework is highly preferred;
• Fluency in English is required, fluency and or knowledge of French is a plus; and
• Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, internet applications) are essential.

Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization in the United States or Belgium for the full duration of the internship.

Application instructions

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