Samuel Dash Conference on Human Rights
The Samuel Dash Conference on Human Rights is named for former Law Center professor Sam Dash. Our largest annual event, the conference brings together leading figures in the human rights field to discuss and debate a current human rights issue.
The Dash Conference was established by Samuel Dash's family and friends, Georgetown Law alumni and the law firm of Cozen O'Connor to honor Dash's contributions to international human rights and domestic civil rights. Dash, who joined the Georgetown Law faculty in 1965, and was on the board of the International League of Human Rights, traversed the globe in pursuit of justice. He led a human rights mission to Northern Ireland to investigate the 1972 "Bloody Sunday" incident, and traveled to the Soviet Union and Chile. In 1985, he was the first American to visit Nelson Mandela in prison and became involved in mediation efforts that eventually led to Mandela's release. Dash also served as chief counsel of the Senate Watergate Committee's investigation into the Nixon administration's involvement in the Democratic National Committee break-in, which ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation. Professor Dash passed away in 2004.
The 2013 Conference topic was "Jurisdiction for Mass Atrocities." The keynote speaker was Luis Moreno Ocampo, the first Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court. You can see the video of the conference proceedings here. The agenda is below.
2013 Samuel Dash Conference on Human Rights
April 8, 2013
Georgetown Law
Gewirz Student Center, 12th floor
120 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
JURISDICTION FOR MASS ATROCITIES
9:30-9:35: Welcome
-William Treanor, Executive Vice President and Dean, Georgetown Law
9:35-10:05: Panel 1: Suing Sudan: A Case Study
-Panelists will be Georgetown Law students enrolled in the practicum Suing Sudan: Constructing International Human Rights Cases
10:05-11:15: Panel 2: Thinking Outside the Box: What Tools Can and Should States Use to Fight Impunity for Mass Atrocities
-Sadia Hameed, Director, Crimes Against Humanity Program, Human Rights First
-Victoria Holt, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, U.S. Department of State
-Paul Williams, Rebecca I. Grazier Professor of Law & International Relations, American University; President and Co-Founder, Public International Law & Policy Group
-Rosa Brooks, Professor of Law, Georgetown Law (moderator)
11:15-12:25: Panel 3: The International Criminal Court and the Dynamics of Complementarity
-Elena Baylis, Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh Law School, Washington Center
-Christine Alai, Former Acting Head, International Center for Transitional Justice Kenya Office; Leadership and Advocacy for Women Fellow, Georgetown Law
-Susana SáCouto, Professorial Lecturer-in-Residence, Director, War Crimes Research Office, American University Washington College of Law
-Jane Stromseth, Professor of Law, Georgetown Law (moderator)
12:25-1:30: Lunch and Keynote Discussion
-Luis Moreno Ocampo, Former Prosecutor, International Criminal Court
-John Bellinger, Partner, Arnold & Porter LLP and Former Legal Adviser to the Department of State, 2005-2009
1:30-2:00: Coffee Reception
Past Samuel Dash Conferences
- 2012: Maternal Health and Human Rights
- 2011: The Role of Accountability in Protecting Human Rights and National Security
- 2010: The Challenge of Balancing Peace and Justice
- 2009: Rule of Law in the Context of Military Interventions
- 2008: The Future of Human Rights
- 2007: Constitutional Checks and Balances in the Post-9/11 Era: Revitalizing Congress's Role
- 2006: War, Terror, and Human Rights: Setting the Agenda
