News
GHRA group releases fact-finding results
On Wednesday, March 25, Georgetown Human Rights Action (GHRA) presented the fruits of their 2008 fact-finding mission in a symposium entitled “Moving Forward: Recommendations on U.S. HIV Immigration Policy.”
Economists discuss impact of ‘Buy American’ policy
On Thursday, Mar. 19, the International Law Society hosted a panel discussion regarding the Buy American provision and its effects on domestic economics and world trade, both as an economic and legal matter. The panel was moderated by Professor Alvaro Santos. The provision was a part of the stimulus package and requires the federal government to buy all supplies, especially steel, from U.S. suppliers, subject to certain waivers. The panelists said that such a measure is likely to have a negative impact on U.S. trade relations, and that such a provision would likely be inconsistent with U.S. obligations under the WTO.
Students work to help refugees
This year, a team of 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, and LLMs, are taking on a human rights research project focusing on the resettlement of Iraqi refugees to the United States. The project is this year’s iteration of Georgetown Human Rights Action (GHRA)’s Fact Finding Mission, chosen by the student organization and run with the support, funding, and guidance of the Human Rights Institute (HRI). This is the fourth such human rights fact-finding project at Georgetown.
Panel talks justice for detainees
As it becomes increasingly clear that President Obama’s freshly signed Executive Orders on detention and Guantánamo will have far-reaching effects, the Constitution Project held a panel last Friday, Mar. 20, to discuss the legal and constitutional issues raised. Titled “Bringing Detainees to Justice and Justice to Detainees: Remaining Questions about Detention and Trials after Obama’s Executive Orders,” the discussion included potential proposals for a preventive detention regime and the establishment of a national security court.
Ratner’s book puts Rumsfeld on trial
On March 18th, Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights came to Georgetown Law and spoke about the use of torture by the Bush administration in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also discussed how the current administration will deal with torture.
Fiasco author discusses the war in Iraq
“There are three things that people don’t understand about the war in Iraq,” began Tom Ricks, addressing a room packed with men and women in uniform, policy analysts, and academics.
Two resolutions pass easily, one fails at SBA meeting
The Student Bar Association (SBA) met Feb. 24 at 9 p.m. for its final housekeeping meeting before the election of the new student delegates. After congratulating the Elections Committee and wishing good luck to those running for positions next year, SBA President Leon Skornicki, 3L, worked his way through the SBA’s agenda for the day.
Brazilian Environmental law changing
Dr. Eduardo Viola of the Department of International Relations and the Center for Sustainable Development at the University of Brasilia visited Professor James Nickel’s on International Economic and Social Rights course last Tuesday, Feb. 23 to discuss the evolution of environmental protections in Brazil over the past four decades.
Panel talks torture, new president
On Feb. 26, Georgetown Law students gathered in McDonough 110 for an informal panel discussion about the implications of President Obama’s signing of executive orders on torture and Guantanamo Bay. Panelists at the event included Devon Chaffee, from Human Rights First, who has been to Guantanamo on several occasions, and Tom Parker, who heads up Amnesty International’s Counterterrorism Policy Unit.
Candidate wants new government
“Why are people poor?” James Perry asked a group of students last Thursday, Feb. 26. The former civil rights attorney turned mayoral candidate for New Orleans came to Georgetown Law to talk about what he called “the ground zero of the civil rights movement of our time.”