The Court of the Citizens of the World
Position: Human Rights Legal Project Volunteer (The Court) Starting date: flexible Type of position: Volunteer, full-time Remuneration: Pro-bono Contract period: 3 months, extendable based on performance. Application deadline: Rolling basis, early applications preferred. Location: European Union Only About the Court: The Court by the Citizens of the World is a People's Tribunal that serves Universal Human Rights. Despite decades of significant improvements and the creation of dominant peace and justice institutions, the fundamental rights of individuals within universal human rights and democracy are still inadequately safeguarded. International criminal justice, spearheaded by international courts and law, is hindered in crucial cases by political influence or lack of jurisdiction, such as vetoes, allowing regimes and leaders to act with impunity and endanger people. The Court of the Citizens of the World finds its inspiration in remarkable individuals such as Benjamin Ferencz, who served in the role of patron for the Court, considering it his ultimate mission and the culmination of his life's work and Oleksandra Matviichuk who is a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate in 2022. These exceptional individuals have devoted themselves to upholding the principles of justice and the rule of law, tirelessly seeking justice for victims of human rights violations. Notably, Ferencz played a pivotal role in ensuring accountability for the SS Nazi-Einsatzgruppen during the Nuremberg trials and made invaluable contributions to the establishment of the International Criminal Court. The Court's dedication to investigating severe violations, including Crimes of Aggression, War Crimes, and Crimes against Humanity, reflects a commitment to addressing complex challenges in international law. The 2023 Ukraine Tribunal serves as a precedent, showcasing the Court's capacity to contribute to the discourse on international justice. Inspired by People's Tribunals and guided by principles from Nuremberg, the Court emphasizes accountability and fairness. Significantly, the Court's approach centers around making state heads accountable, ensuring that victims have a platform to be heard—a distinctive feature compared to current international courts. The evidence filmed by documentary filmmakers has been crucial from the beginning of International Criminal Jurisdiction: first at the Nuremberg trials with footage from the concentration camps, in the modern age in the first conviction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Lubanga’s use of child soldiers, which was proven by documentary film footage. The court's founding organization Cinema for Peace has evaluated over 2000 films in 20 years, covering evidence of all kinds of human rights abuses and crimes, aiming to contribute to the fight for justice and the rule of law. Consequently, we are actively seeking volunteers who express interest in participating in The Court Project. We are in search of individuals capable of dedicating their time and skills to contribute to the project's success. Role Overview: Volunteer Responsibilities: Conducting comprehensive legal research on human rights law and international criminal law to ensure thorough understanding and informed decision-making. Assisting in the drafting and preparation of meticulous legal documents, including but not limited to legal briefs and detailed reports. Offering crucial administrative support to the project team by meticulously organizing meetings, maintaining project files, and diligently tracking project expenses. Collaborating in the organization and seamless coordination of project events and activities to ensure successful execution. Leading outreach and communication efforts with project partners and stakeholders, fostering collaborative relationships and maintaining open lines of communication. Taking a proactive role in managing project social media accounts and website, ensuring timely updates, engaging content, and effective communication of project goals. Playing a pivotal role in fundraising initiatives, contributing to the development and implementation of strategies to secure financial support for the project. Updating and maintaining databases with accuracy and attention to detail to ensure all project information is current and easily accessible. Assisting in the creation of comprehensive reports, synthesizing data and insights, and providing regular updates on project progress. Qualifications: The ideal candidate would have: Educational qualifications in International Criminal Law, Human Rights Law, International Law, or related fields. Passion and interest in diverse topics such as films, art, international conflicts, human rights, climate change, and socio-political and humanitarian issues. Strong organizational and administrative skills. Prior experience in an international organization, non-governmental organization (NGO), civil society organization, or a film-related organization. Proactive mindset, ability to think outside the box, willingness to go the extra mile, and a problem-solving attitude. Excellent written and spoken fluency in English. This volunteer position is full-time, Monday-Friday, 9:00 to 18:00. If you are interested, please apply through LinkedIn. For any questions, feel free to reach out to us via email at communication@the-court.eu, with the subject line "Volunteer – Questions." We are accepting applications on a rolling basis, but early applications are preferred. Due to the high number of applications, we will only respond to selected candidates.