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Human Rights Webinars

Free on-demand human rights webinars conducted by staff of The Advocates for Human Rights.

2015:

Death Penalty Advocacy for the UPR
Presenters: Jennifer Prestholdt, Amy Berquist,and Rose Park The Advocates for Human Rights
Training on the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review Process and Advocacy Against the Death Penalty. Learn more and download the tools for this training here.

2014:

Presenter: Robin Phillips, The Advocates for Human Rights
This session provides a broad overview of human rights law, including the history of human rights from antiquity to the present, the role of the United Nations and other human rights bodies, and the application of local, state, and federal laws.
 
Presenter: Amy Bergquist, The Advocates for Human Rights
LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex) people around the world, along with allies in the legal profession, are mobilizing to advocate for LGBTI rights, and the legal landscape is rapidly evolving. This CLE will examine discriminatory laws in Africa and the former Soviet Union, focusing mainly on laws in Russia and Cameroon. The examination will cover the substance of those laws, their origins, and how they are applied or enforced. The CLE will demonstrate how those laws are inconsistent with international human rights standards. The CLE will also explore the relationship between laws on the books and societal discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). Finally, the CLE will explore strategies to promote LGBTI rights and eradicate SOGI-based discrimination, including advocacy with international and regional human rights mechanisms, litigation in domestic courts, and other advocacy strategies.
 
Presenters: Steve Wells, Dorsey & Whitney and Chuck Lloyd, Livgard & Lloyd
Death penalty lawyers will explore ethical issues they and others face in capital cases, including topics such as potential implications in witness preparation, fairness to opposing party and counsel, special responsibilities of a prosecutor, confidentiality, litigation, and corrective action. Participants will see examples of ethical dilemmas encountered, learn where the law offers guidance, and consider professional obligations to represent capital offenders.
 
Presenters: Amy Bergquist, The Advocates for Human Rights and David Vander Haar, Faegre Baker Daniels
This CLE will provide an overview of the United Nations’ system for protecting human rights and explore the ways organizations can work with UN bodies, including the threat-based mechanisms for enforcing compliance with human rights obligations. The session will also discuss the role of non-governmental organizations in contributing to UN human rights mechanisms, including shadow reporting. Finally, presenters will share timely information about the October 2013 review of the US by the Human Rights committee. 
 
Presenters: Helen Rubenstein, Theresa Dykoschak, The Advocates for Human Rights
Currently there is no international treaty devoted solely to the issue of violence against women. This presentation will provide a background of how international and regional systems address the issue and address some of the pros and cons of a United Nations treaty that focuses exclusively on violence against women.
 
Presenter: Deepinder Mayell, The Advocates for Human Rights
This CLE will describe the credible fear process and identify bias within the asylum process and provide practical strategies for immigration practitioners. While many asylum seekers enter the U.S. with a valid visa and seek refuge through the affirmative asylum process, people unable to obtain valid entry visas must seek refuge at the border or after being apprehended by immigration officials upon entering without inspection. Once detained, they are forced into a series of preliminary interviews, and if they are found to have a credible fear of persecution, they are referred to an immigration judge to pursue their asylum claim in a defensive process. The credible fear process often dismisses valid claims for asylum or creates an inaccurate record that undermines an asylum seeker’s credibility later in the process. This CLE will describe the credible fear process and identify bias within the process and provide practical strategies for immigration practitioners.
 
Presenters: Emily Good, Sarah Herder, Madeline Lohman, Michele Garnett McKenzie, Robin Phillips, The Advocates for Human Rights
This session will present the findings from The Advocates’ newly released report, Moving from Exclusion to Belonging: Immigrant Rights in Minnesota Today in a panel format. Panelists will identify barriers to access, equity, and justice in the legal system as they affect immigrants and refugees and explore solutions for practitioners, systems personnel, and policymakers.
 

2012:

Introduction to Human Rights Law 
Presenter: Robin Phillips, The Advocates for Human Rights
This session provides a broad overview of human rights law, including the history of human rights from antiquity to the present, the role of the United Nations and other human rights bodies, and the application of local, state, and federal laws. This session is a great opportunity for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of law and human rights on an international scale.  

Human Rights Advocacy at the United Nations
Presenter: Jennifer Prestholdt, The Advocates for Human Rights
This session gives an overview of the United Nations’ system for protecting human rights and explores the ways organizations can work with UN bodies, including the Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review and treaty-based mechanisms for enforcing compliance with human rights obligations. The session will also discuss the role of lawyers and non-governmental organizations in contributing to UN human rights mechanisms, including shadow reporting. 

Immigration Law in the United States 
Presenter: Emily Good, The Advocates for Human Rights
This session introduces basic concepts of immigration law, such as how people immigrate, refugee and asylum processes, family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, and deportation. Underlying legislative policies and impacts will also be covered. This session is appropriate for anyone interested in learning more about the legal processes impacting immigrants.

Sex Trafficking in Minnesota: A Paradigm Shift
Presenter: Helen Rubenstein, The Advocates for Human Rights and Aviva Breen, former Executive Director, Minnesota Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women and former Board Chair, The Advocates for Human Rights.
The Advocates for Human Rights conducted a sex trafficking needs assessment for the state of Minnesota in 2008. The resulting report was an important step in changing the conversation in Minnesota from one in which prostituted women and girls are treated as criminals to recognizing that they are victims of traffickers and johns. Instead of being put in jail or sent back out on the street they need services to rebuild their lives. The legislature responded with changes to the law in 2009 and 2011 that increased penalties for traffickers and johns and recognized sexually exploited juveniles as victims and not juvenile delinquents. This presentation describes the scope and characteristics of sex trafficking; the legal framework around sex trafficking in Minnesota, nationally, and internationally; and The Advocates’ work in legal and policy reform and its implementation.