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Georgetown Law’s Human Rights Institute partners with Nobel laureate to pursue justice for Yazidi community Executive Director Elisa Massimino gives statement on accountability for Russian war crimes To commemorate World Humanitarian Day, HRI Executive Director reflects on the life and legacy of human rights lawyer Arthur Helton
HRI Deputy Director Michelle Liu travels to Guantánamo to observe proceedings

“Observing the hearings in person afforded me the opportunity to better understand some of the human rights allegations that have plagued the facility since its inception,” said Michelle Liu. “The experiences of observing the hearings during the week, talking to defense counsel and media, and seeing Camp X-Ray in person—albeit from afar—were incredibly eye-opening and compelling.”

Recent News

Georgetown Law urgs Biden to end Title 42

April 7, 2022 Print & Online News Clips

“The use of Title 42 was a cruel and cynical ploy by the Trump administration to shut down access to refugee protection at the southern border,” Elisa Massimino wrote to The Hoya in an article discussing the Coalition of Jesuit Leaders' letter to the Biden Administration on the topic. “It has been condemned by public health experts as unnecessary and counterproductive. I was proud to see our dean and other leaders of Jesuit institutions call for an end to it.”

The United States needs a comprehensive protection plan for the forcibly displaced in Afghanistan

August 17, 2021 Opinions

"While it is too late to avoid the immediate chaos, there is still time for the Biden administration and its allies to put in place a human rights-centered plan for the forcibly displaced and work to mitigate further disaster in Afghanistan. Failing to do so risks people’s lives and safety as well as the likelihood of another refugee crisis with global implications," write Elisa Massimino and Alexandra Schmitt.

Rethinking DHS to prioritize human security and homeland services

June 17, 2021 Opinions

"We view DHS from very different perspectives, but we both believe that DHS has become seriously out of balance with America’s needs. We need a new vision for the department that prioritizes responding to these needs and takes a broader view of what it means to keep the nation secure," write Elisa Massimino and Rudy deLeon.

Report: Redefining homeland security: a new framework for DHS to meet today's challenges

June 16, 2021 Original Content

Elisa Massimino worked on a new report from the Center for American Progress on shifting the priorities of the Department of Homeland Security. Rather than focusing on investigative, detention, and law enforcement functions, functions better carried out by the FBI and Bureau of Prisons, DHS should shift toward new values of connecting, communicating, facilitating, welcoming, and helping.