Defending Human Rights: Tools for Social Justice Volume in Honour of Fried van Hoof on the Occasion of his Valedictory Lecture and the 30th Anniversary of the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights

This collection has been published to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM), together with the valedictory lecture of one if its pioneers, Fried van Hoof. In 30 years, the role of regional human rights instruments and institutions has changed - their impact increased and, thus, more debate on their roles. Since these instruments and institutions are never a goal as such, but tools to increase social justice, the question has been raised: what is, or should be their contribution to social justice? The speakers at a conference on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of SIM, along with some of Fried van Hoof's former Ph.D candidates, shed light on various aspects of this question.

Ida Lintel joined Wijn & Stael Advocats in 2014. She obtained her Master’s degree in Public International Law cum laude in 2013, with a thesis on climate change in international treaties. At the same time she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Law. Prior to her law studies she studied Liberal Arts and Sciences at the universities of Utrecht and Washington. Ida is the praeses of the SJBN Jonge Balie Congrescommissie 2015.

Antoine Buyse is professor of human rights and director of the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM) and a member of the Young Academy of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is editor-in-chief of the Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights, member of the editorial board of the Dutch human rights review and he hosts a weblog about the European Convention on Human Rights.

Brianne McGonigle Leyh is an assistant professor with Utrecht University’s Netherlands Institute of Human Rights where she is an attorney specializing in transitional justice, human rights, victims’ rights and international criminal law and procedure. She is an executive editor of the Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights and is a senior counsel and co-director of the Netherlands Office of the Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG), a global pro bono law firm providing legal assistance to states and non-state entities on a range of legal issues. Previously, Brianne has worked as co-counsel on a legal team representing civil parties before the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia and has held a Visiting Professional position at the International Criminal Court’s Office of Public Counsel for Victims. Before receiving her PhD in law from Utrecht University in 2011, she received her Bachelors degree (BA) in 2002 from Boston University, graduating magna cum laude with a self-crafted major in the study of international law and human rights. She received her Law degree (JD) in 2006 from American University’s Washington College of Law, graduating cum laude, and one year later her Masters degree (MA) in International Affairs from American University’s School of International Service.