Elizabeth Abi-Mershed Fellowship

As a tribute to Elizabeth Abi-Mershed's lifelong commitment to human rights, emphasizing her profound impact on the Inter-American System and her enduring legacy as a mentor and guide to future generations of human rights advocates, the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the US Permanent Mission before the OAS have established the Elizabeth Abi-Mershed Fellowship on Following Up and Monitoring Cases.

Elizabeth joined the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in 1992. Thanks to her solid legal background and personal integrity, she held various positions in the Executive Secretariat of the IACHR throughout her professional career. She stood out as a country officer during the difficult years of democratic recovery in the region. Since 2007, as Legal Director of the Commission, she was responsible for coordinating and overseeing the preparation of all case, thematic and country reports. She was also in charge of coordinating the work of the Rapporteurship on Women's Rights and the group specialized in litigating cases before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR). Finally, she served as Deputy Executive Secretary since 2007 until her retirement on May 27, 2018.

Elizabeth Abi-Mershed was a forerunner in the development of standards related to the promotion and protection of the rights of populations in conditions of vulnerability or situations of historical discrimination, including women, LGBTI persons, human rights defenders, journalists, children and adolescents, persons in conditions of human mobility, persons deprived of liberty, and Indigenous Peoples, among others. In addition, she promoted the development of inter-American standards applicable to cases involving multiple human rights violations, including cases of torture, discrimination, and gender-based violence, as well as standards related to essential notions of international human rights law such as access to justice, the right to truth, due diligence and comprehensive remedies. Further, she was a tireless mentor to hundreds of young people, dedicating herself to their professional training on the IAHRS.

Throughout her 26-year career as a specialist, coordinator, legal director and Deputy Secretary, Elizabeth left a broad and lasting legacy in the legal field, in her passion for furthering the development of human rights, and in being an example and mentor. She was an exceptional professional, tirelessly committed to the defense of fundamental rights and the values of the IACHR. In deep recognition of her distinguished work, the Elizabeth Abi-Mershed Fellowship is established for the follow-up of recommendations issued in the IACHR's published merits reports. Through this fellowship, the Commission seeks to continue her valuable legacy and contribute to the training of young professionals in the IAHRS.

Objective:

The fellowship offers the opportunity for young professionals to work to strengthen the follow-up of recommendations made by the IACHR in the framework of its petition and case system.

Program:

The fellow will support the work of the Follow-up of Recommendations and Impact Section of the ES/IACHR, under the supervision of the area coordinator during the fellowship period. At the conclusion of the program, the fellow will submit a detailed report to the ES/IACHR on the activities carried out.

  • Modality: Remote or In-Person
  • Number of Vacancies: 1
  • Start date: March 2024
  • Duration: 11 months
  • Deadline for applications: January 23rd, 2024

Read the complete call for applications here.