International Human Rights Law
Part of the Media Study Department's Forum on Torture
CFA 112, UB North Campus

An alumnus of the University at Buffalo Law School, Julia A. Hall is an attorney at Human Rights Watch, where she conducts research and advocacy on counter-terrorism measures post-September 11, 2001; post-March 11, 2004 (Madrid); and post-July 1, 2005 (London) in North America and Europe with respect to their impact on human rights and civil liberties. Her work has a particular focus on the erosion of the prohibition against torture, the nonrefoulement obligation, and the use of diplomatic assurances in the context of transfers (“renditions”) of terrorism suspects to countries where they are at risk of torture. (http://www.hrw.org/)

Claude Welch has taught at the University of Buffalo since 1964, and currently holds the ranks of SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and Professor of Political Science. His research focuses on African politics, the roles of armed forces in politics, and human rights. His numerous publications on these subjects soon will be joined by the forthcoming Protecting Human Rights Globally: Roles and Strategies of International NGOs. He has consulted frequently with agencies of the United States Government on democratization, human rights and civil-military relations, and is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. In 2006, he received the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award given by TIAA-CREF, the world's oldest and best-funded annuity fund.