Pre-internship
During the internship
After the internship
Independent internships possibilities
The Centre is aware that the IHRIP’s placements are limited in scope and quantity, and might not allow students to explore their particular area of interest. Independent human rights internships enable students to explore issues they are interested in through direct engagement, and to earn 3 credits over the summer.
Students interested in pursuing an independent internship nandini.ramanujam [at] mcgill.ca (must email) the IHRIP Program Director directly to discuss a placement. Beforehand, prospective interns must take note of the requirements below. We also provide a short list of potential placements lower on this page.
Pre-internship
- Internships must be offered by an established human rights organization verifiably active for several years. Internships with NGOS, INGOs, Courts and Tribunals, Community-Based Organizations (Canada or abroad), could be eligible for credits. Internships with law firms or any other for-profit organization will not be eligible for credits.
- The internship cannot be in a country where the travel advisory is at a “no travel” level (see Government of Canada: Travel Advice and Advisories)
- Interns must obtain a letter of confirmation indicating:
- That the internship will include 12 weeks of full-time work on site (on 4 day a week basis, or more). Remote work does not count toward internship requirement.
- The name and contact information of the supervisor
- A short job description
- A mention that the internship is unpaid
During the internship
Interns are expected to “check-in” with the Program Director at the beginning of the internship and at least once during the internship.
After the internship
- Independent interns must complete an Internship Report (10-15 pages) on their internship experiences. A template of this report with instructions will be circulated to interns prior to the beginning of their placement.
- Contrary to IHRIP participants, independent interns do not have to participate in the three-credit fall seminar upon their return. However, if space permits, independent interns can be granted access to the seminar. Do not hesitate to contact the Program Director about this possibility.
Independent internships possibilities
CONADEH Human Rights Legal Clinic
Website: https://www.conadeh.hn/
Location: Tegucigalpa, Honduras
CONADEH was created in 1992 as the Honduran National Human Rights Institution. Nowadays, CONADEH has 30 years of experience working on a wide range of human rights issues. CONADEH can investigate any human rights violation committed in Honduran territory by any civil or military authorities or businesses providing essential services. In 2022, CONADEH created its Human Rights Legal Clinic. The Clinic can litigate strategic cases of human rights violations in domestic courts and international human rights systems; likewise, it elaborates legal analysis on new or existing laws and policies that contradict international human rights standards.
As an intern at the Clinic, you will gain valuable insights into human rights strategic litigation, international human rights law, human rights in a developing country, and working with human rights victims and human rights defenders.
Tasks may include but not be limited to 1) case analysis; 2) writing memos, briefs, and other legal documents; 3) Research on international and national jurisprudence; 4) summarizing reports; interviewing and contacting victims of human rights abuse.
Contact information: Luis Chinchilla (d.litigioestrategico [at] conadeh.hn), supervisor.
Previous interns: n/a
O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law
Website: https://oneill.law.georgetown.edu
Location: Washington D.C., USA
Interns spend eight weeks working with O’Neill Institute staff on a range of academic and policy projects on health law issues. The summer internships run from May-August (applications due by January 31)
Interns will work full-time, at least 35 hours/week, and will be compensated at the hourly rate of 16.90 USD per hour (less applicable taxes). Please note that international applicants will need to comply with the US requirements for obtaining a J1 visa (http://internationalservices.georgetown.edu/scholars/j-1interns/). For more information, please visit: https://oneill.law.georgetown.edu/about/employment/internship-application/.
Applications should include the following documents emailed to ONeillHR [at] georgetown.edu:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter (detailing their interest in this internship and relevant past experience)
- Transcripts from the legal studies (may be unofficial copies)
Contact information: Sarah Roache (sarah.roache [at] georgetown.edu), Potential Supervisor
Previous interns: Margherita Cina
International Center for Transitional Justice
Website: https://www.ictj.org
Location: ICTJ offices in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
The International Center for Transitional Justice works for justice in countries that have endured massive human rights abuses under repression and in conflict. We work with victims, civil society groups, national, and international organizations to ensure redress for victims and to help prevent atrocities from happening again.
Tasks involve community lawyering, writing reports, trainings for community, minutes in meetings, etc.
Contact information: Mohamed Suma (MSuma [at] ictj.org), supervisor.
Previous interns: Eva Monteiro
Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center
Website: las-americas.org/internships
Location: El Paso, Texas
Tasks: Internship task areas include Data Analysis; Crime Victims Program; Detained and Non-Detained; Non-Profit Development; and Public Relations. See website for more information:
Contact Information: Diana Nevarez (diananevarez [at] las-americas.org)
Previous interns: Sara Gold; Andrea Salguero-Florian
The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights
Website: www.raoulwallenbergcentre.org
Location: Montreal, Canada
Description: Tasks include Research international law, including conventions and treaties, judgments of international and regional courts, reports of UN Special Rapporteurs, and concluding observations of United Nations bodies. Summarize the status of the law on issues of arbitrary detention, conditions of detention, due process, freedom of religion, and freedom of expression. Write factums, legal memos and other documents.
Contact Information: info [at] rwchr.org
Previous intern: Alicia Blimkie
