Strategic Implications of Human Rights and the Rule of Law is a four-week course (two weeks distance-learning and two weeks in-residence) designed for policymakers, practitioners, and top officers in regional defense and security establishments within the hemisphere. The course is specifically designed to highlight best practices, address human rights issues associated with security forces in situations of armed conflict, peacetime security and crime prevention operations, and overseas peacekeeping missions. It is also suitable for a broader audience, including civilian administrators who work within the military or police organizations. 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:
All participants must successfully complete a course writing assignment that may take the form of an essay, policy paper, action plan or similar.
Information Forthcoming
Candidates must be professionally engaged in defense or security issues in their countries, coming from the following institutions/activities:
Perry Center graduates are required to wait a minimum of 18 months between attending in-residence courses and are barred from attending the same course more than once. The Washington Security and Defense Seminar (WSDS) is exempt from both of these limitations.
In accordance with Department of Defense policy, citizens of “high income” countries (as established by the World Bank) are not eligible for scholarships. As of 01 July 2024, this restriction applies to the following Western Hemisphere nations and territories:
Citizens of these countries may still apply to courses, but in a fully self-funded status. Self-funded candidates must meet all eligibility standards and comply with all application requirements, including application deadlines, as well as being able to cover the expenses of their own travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals. US citizens cannot (by law) receive scholarships, but may also apply to attend in a self-funded status. US citizens and other self-funded candidates should contact the Registrar’s Office for additional guidance.
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.
This course is conducted in Spanish. Non-native speakers must demonstrate the ability to speak and write in Spanish at a bilingual level prior to acceptance and enrollment.
