“Recognition of the inherent dignity and rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
WE’RE HIRING!
JOIN THE HITIK LAW PRO BONO HUMAN RIGHTS TEAM
Hiring Organization: Hitik Law, LLC
Role: Law Clerk, Pro Bono Human Rights Program
Hours: 5 - 10 hours per week, flexible schedule. One mandatory program meeting per week.
Duration: 6 months
Location: Remote, with possible international travel
Remuneration: This role does not provide remuneration, but the firm is happy to process any paperwork needed to secure internship funding, academic credit, or pro bono hours satisfaction that may be available through your law school.
About the Role: This Law Clerk position with Hitik Law’s Pro Bono Human Rights Program offers a unique opportunity to combine legal expertise with a passion for human rights advocacy. Our work is primarily focused on international criminal accountability for grave HR and ICL violations committed during and in the aftermath of the armed conflict between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh. We also focus on the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, who were ethnically cleansed from their indigenous homeland in September 2023. This position is ideal for law students or recent law school graduates who are passionate about making a meaningful impact through pro bono work.
Responsibilities:
1. Conduct in-depth legal research and analysis on international human rights, humanitarian, and criminal law. Assist with analysis and organization of evidence and drafting submissions to UN human rights bodies, such as the Human Rights Council, treaty bodies, and special rapporteurs.
2. Collaborate with civil society organizations and governments on international law matters and provide legal support for their initiatives. Engage in outreach and advocacy efforts, including public education on human rights, attendance at relevant conferences, speaking engagements, and seminars.
3. Assist in efforts to liaise with the International Criminal Court, including drafting of white papers, law review articles, organizing affiliate events, and bilateral diplomatic meetings.
4. Engage in comprehensive research and drafting of scholarly legal articles on relevant subjects, with the opportunity to co-author in law journals and other academic publications.
5. Assist with administrative tasks such as schedule management, event organization, and pro bono activity coordination. Assist with media engagements by drafting talking points for presentations and speeches.
6. Liaise with political representatives throughout the United States and European Union government bodies on behalf of victims of grave human rights violations to secure legislative support, investigations, and diplomatic support in international organizations.
Qualifications:
• US law school 2Ls, 3Ls, LLMs, and recent graduates are welcome to apply. The completion of at least one course in public international law is highly desirable
• Demonstrated interest or experience in public international law or related areas, such as international human rights, humanitarian, or criminal law. Experience in drafting or reviewing legal documents for submission to UN human rights bodies considered a plus
• Strong research, analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities, and a keen attention to detail
•Willingness to handle a variety of tasks and adapt to changing priorities. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team
• Empathy, cultural competence, and a commitment to international human rights
• Knowledge of the South Caucasus region and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict highly desirable
• Knowledge of Eastern Armenian, Azeri, Turkish, or Russian would be an asset
Application Process: To apply, please email your cover letter and CV to pbhr@hitiklaw.com
Application Deadline: November 1, 2024, 5:00pm CST
Hitik Law Pro Bono Human Rights Program
At Hitik Law we are dedicated to advocating for victims of gross violations of human rights.
Through our expertise we strive to address cases of grave human rights abuses, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing. We advocate throughout UN human rights mechanisms, other international organizations, and advise on legal cases brought under universal jurisdiction. We are dedicated to thought leadership, drawing attention to human rights violations and fostering public awareness and advocacy.
Our activities are mainly concentrated on the protection of human rights and the promotion of the rule of law, with a geographic focus on Armenia and Artsakh.
Our Pro Bono Human Rights Projects
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United Nations Advocacy
Our law firm submitted an alternative review to Azerbaijan’s 2023 Universal Periodic Review.
NGO Advising
Hitik Law serves as a human rights law advisor to The Center for Truth and Justice (CFTJ), a non-profit organization aimed at collecting substantive evidence of Azerbaijan’s war crimes in order to pursue international legal redress.
Read more here: CFTJ Geneva 2022.
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Armenia Center for Dispute Resolution
Our principal attorney is the founder of the Armenia Center for Dispute Resolution. The main mission of the center is to promote the development of alternative dispute resolution in Armenia, to provide Armenian citizens and businesses with affordable and reliable dispute resolution, as well as to serve as a regional hub for arbitration for international investors.
NGO Consultancy
We consult on rule of law and justice capacity-building in the Republic of Armenia for organizations around the world. Some of our recent projects have included designing in anti-corruption programs, reforming legal clinical educational in Armenian law schools, and advising the Armenian government in alternative dispute resolution best practices.
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Education and Outreach
Hitik Law gives seminars, participates in speaking events, podcasts, and publishes articles to educate the public on matters of public international law facing the indigenous Armenian community of Artsakh.
Lobbying in Congress
Talin Hitik delivered speeches in front of the U.S. House of Representatives on May 7, 2024, and the United States Senate on May 8, 2024, as part of discussions on U.S. interests and ongoing security, economic and legal processes in the South Caucasus.
Research and Publications
Talin Hitik's and Andrew Devedjian's article titled "Indigenous Displacement: Legal Pathways for Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenians and Displaced Indigenous Communities" will be published in the Loyola Journal of Public Interest Law.
Third Annual CFTJ Conference
Hitik Law Principal Attorney Talin Hitik served as the moderator of two impactful sessions at the Third Annual Center for Truth and Justice Conference, dedicated to human rights and accountability. Click below to learn more about our contributions.
November 11, 2024
NEW REPORT: Azerbaijani Regime Ethnically Cleansed Nagorno-Karabakh According to International Fact-Finding Mission
Our principal attorney, Talin Hitik, served as the editor of a landmark international report by Freedom House and partner organizations, which concludes that Azerbaijani authorities conducted a systematic campaign to ethnically cleanse Nagorno-Karabakh of its Armenian population. The findings underscore a deliberate effort to depopulate the region, raising critical concerns under international law.
Key findings include:
Azerbaijani actions constitute ethnic cleansing, using forced displacement to achieve this goal.
The displacement of 100,000 ethnic Armenians in September 2023 marked the peak of a prolonged, deliberate campaign.
Ethnic Armenians faced extensive violations of their fundamental rights and freedoms.
The erasure of Armenian cultural and historical presence in Nagorno-Karabakh remains ongoing.
These findings underscore serious and ongoing concerns under international law.
To learn more, read the full report here.
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