This is a course for policymakers, practitioners, and top officers in regional defense and security establishments within the hemisphere. HR/ROL builds upon the knowledge, concepts, and practical tools imparted by Perry Center foundational courses and is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of theories, analysis, and case studies about human rights, the law of armed conflict, the rule of law, and transitional justice.
The course analyzes issues of human rights and the rule of law in Latin America and the Caribbean today: how security forces in the region comport themselves in accordance with international humanitarian law; how to ensure human rights during armed conflict; how to address human rights issue in the context of natural disasters and pandemics; what the role of the United States has been and should be; what the role of international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is; the role of regional and international human rights organizations; the status of rule of law initiatives in the region; and the implications of the absence of rule of law in many societies. The course analyzes case studies including Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela.
The course is specifically designed to address human rights issues associated with security forces in situations of armed conflict, peace time security and crime prevention operations, and overseas peacekeeping missions. Despite that, it is suitable for a broader audience, including civilian administrators who work within the military or police organizations. With that in mind, the course will examine issues such as the use of military force to promote human rights; the development of international criminal courts, truth commissions, and other instruments of human rights accountability transitional justice; the intersection of humanitarian and human rights law; the growing normative frameworks governing the actions of multi-national businesses; and the human rights dimensions of terrorism.
The course is designed to provide an educational opportunity for strategic thinking and analysis of human rights and the rule of law. Upon completion of the course, each participant should have increased his/her understanding of:
Through a combination of lectures, break-out group discussions, and exercises, civilian and military participants become aware of and apply concepts critical to human rights, international humanitarian law, the rule of law, and transitional justice. During lectures, group discussions, and discussions with visiting scholars, participants will understand decision-making processes and will experience the nuances and legal issues associated with these topics.
The course is broken down into the following segments:
Candidates must be professionally engaged in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies concerning human rights or international humanitarian law, coming from the following institutions/activities:
In accordance with Department of Defense policy, citizens of countries with designated income levels established by the World Bank are not eligible for scholarships. At this time, this restriction applies to the following Western Hemisphere nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Guyana, Panama, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. Citizens of these countries may still apply to courses, but in a self-funded status.
Candidates must possess a university degree or, in cases where a candidate does not hold a degree, equivalent practical experience. Military and police personnel must have completed a command and staff course or equivalent. Exceptions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The HR/ROL course will conducted in English. There will only be simultaneous interpretation from Spanish during plenary sessions with presenters who do not speak English.
