About Us
The Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) was established in 1993 to conduct human rights research in post-Soviet Russia and provide training to the judiciary and law enforcement agencies across the former territories. Since these early projects, the Centre’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and the establishment and strengthening of the rule of law has grown to accommodate the key human rights challenges experienced in our increasingly globalised world. Our work is funded by numerous foundations, academic funds, governments and IGO's.
Our Mission Statement
The Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and the establishment and strengthening of the rule of law worldwide. We carry out our work through research, training, publications and capacity building. We collaborate with governments, intergovernmental organisations, academics, students and civil society, and have implemented programmes worldwide.
Our Projects
HRLC has become an internationally recognised human rights institution, amassing a substantial record of achievement in the design and delivery of policy-linked research and knowledge transfer, technical cooperation, bilateral assistance, publications, capacity building and training.
Research and Knowledge Transfer
High-profile projects include the design, creation and maintenance of a national implementing legislation database (NILD) of the International Criminal Court Statute in our role as ICC Legal Tools Partner; reports and studies on legal issues, promotion and protection of fundamental rights in the EU for the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA); and an international research, training and capacity-building project in support of the enhancement of service delivery by human rights field officers. You can explore the diverse range of current and previous projects in the Projects section.
Short Courses and Training
HRLC has an international reputation in providing short courses, tailored training and capacity building programmes and a summer school, all of which cover contemporary issues and practices in human rights law and criminal law at the national, regional and international level. Since 2004 we have provided the prestigious Chevening Fellowship programme, Implementing Human Rights Conventions, to a small group of professionals from around the world. Since 1997, numerous national and international government and judicial representatives, human rights defenders, NGO and IGO staff, legal professionals, students and academics have taken part in our courses which have been delivered in the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Our Publications
Student Activities
HRLC actively encourages the participation of students in its work: we believe that students play an important role in our activities and can gain vital experience of human rights work to complement their studies. Opportunities within Student Activities include project-led Student Research Assistance and internships, group-based event organisation such as the Annual Student Human Rights Conference and the Human Rights Film Series, or ad-hoc event support.
Our Structure
Seven operational Units reflect and define Centre expertise: Business, Trade and Human Rights; European Human Rights Law; International Criminal Justice; Post Conflict and Capacity Building; Publications; Short Courses and Training and Student Activities. Read more about their activities, key projects and staff.
Our People
HRLC has a dedicated team of staff, including founder and Co-Chair Prof. David Harris and Co-Chair Prof. Michael O’Flaherty. We also draw on the support of our members and international network of fellows, partners and consultants, and give working opportunities to students as research assistants and interns. To find out more, see our People pages.
Contact Us
For any queries, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. If you want to come and visit, you can also find details of how to get to us here.