The Human Rights Practicum works on behalf of human rights organizations, policy and advocacy groups, and individual victims of human rights abuse to promote respect for human rights, international law, and global solidarity. Guided by local human rights advocates, the practicum is oriented, in particular, to work with and for communities in Buffalo and Western New York, drawing on the theory and practice of human rights law to strengthen local advocacy concerning issues important to them.

The Practicum’s research and advocacy will reflect the substantive legal commitments and the methodologies of international human rights law and practice. The shape of this work will vary—some issues will be ripe for amicus brief research or assistance with strategic litigation; others for investigation and fact-finding, human rights report-writing, and assisting local human rights institutions with monitoring compliance with human rights laws and norms; still others will focus on democratic education, norm-building, and legislative advocacy. Projects will concern a wide range of human rights issues, including discrimination and civil rights; immigrants’ rights and refugee and asylum law, the right to adequate housing; corporate accountability and labor rights; and rights to legal assistance, social integration, and education. We will focus on issues affecting communities here in Buffalo, often aiming to address their needs locally while building coordinated advocacy efforts across borders. In any of these cases, the practicum will provide students with guidance and mentorship as they conceive of their advocacy strategies, conduct legal research and draft reports, critically reflect on the ethics and impact of their work, and present their findings to the public. 

The Human Rights Practicum conducts human rights advocacy, litigation, monitoring, and reporting on issues of priority community concern, both locally and internationally, in collaboration with impacted groups and partner organizations.

Establishing a Local Human Rights Commission

Students will support the creation of a City of Buffalo Commission on Human Rights with powers to investigate complaints, make findings, issue recommendations, and proactively monitor city efforts to respect and ensure human rights for all residents

Litigating the Right to Adequate Housing

Students will work on litigation, data-collection, and performance monitoring in Buffalo Housing Court to protect tenants from unsafe and unhealthy housing conditions, unlawful eviction, and illegal retaliation, as part of efforts to ensure the right to adequate housing.  

Human Rights Storytelling and Advocacy

Student teams will conduct interviews with local communities to document the human rights issues they face and, then, as partners and co-participants, work with local organizations to seek accountability, develop litigation strategies, raise public consciousness, and achieve legislative reform.

International Legal Standards

Students will research and apply international and regional human rights standards; draw on field-based investigation and interviews; learn about the ethics of trauma-informed research-gathering; and prepare detailed human rights reports, presenting findings before the public, elected officials, media, courts, and international bodies.