The Kovler Project Against Torture (KPAT) is a one-of-a-kind experiential education opportunity, through which students make key contributions to the sessions of the United Nations Committee Against Torture (UN CAT). The Project and its corresponding class on Torture Prohibition in International Law are taught by Professor and Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman, former Chair of the UN CAT, and supported by Assistant Director to the Project Marta Trevi帽o-Leyva. Kovler Student Scholars engage in a 鈥渄eep dive鈥 on the prohibition of torture in international law and on the professional skills and considerations instrumental to effective lawyering in international settings. Each November, students provide on-site legal support in Geneva to the Committee chairperson and country rapporteurs during the first week of the Committee sessions.
Kovler students will be undertaking classes related to the Convention Against Torture and engage with substantive issues ahead of working with the Convention in Geneva.
The main activities undertaken by students in the Kovler Project include:
During their visit to Geneva, Kovler students have the chance to explore networking and career opportunities in organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as the International Commission of Jurists.
Applications for the Fall 2024 Kovler Project have closed 鈥 please consult the Current Students page for information on the Fall 2024 Kovler Project participants. The application process for Fall 2025 will open in January 2025.
October 3rd, 2024: Assistant Director of the Kovler Project, Marta Trevi帽o-Leyva, attended the WCL International Law Students Association鈥檚 (ILSA) General Body Meeting, representing Professor Claudio Grossman and promoting the exciting opportunities offered by the Kovler Project.
The presentation showcased the Project鈥檚 purpose and scope, as well as important dates for applying. The KPAT provides a unique chance to take practical steps in ensuring that signatory parties of the Convention Against Torture uphold human rights obligations and put an end to torture and cruel treatment practices.
If you're interested, applications for the Fall 2025 Kovler Project will open in January 2025. Keep an eye on our website and Listserv communications for further announcements and info sessions, and visit the KPAT website听for application details. Get ready for an incredible opportunity to make a real impact!
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September 19th, 2024: Students in the Torture Prohibition in International Law class received a guest lecture from Professor Juan E. M茅ndez, WCL Professor of Human Rights Law and Faculty Director of the Anti-Torture Initiative. Professor M茅ndez shared his extensive profound insights from his experience as UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment from 2010 to 2016. Prof. M茅ndez described issues around conditions of detention and the efforts of international bodies to enshrine protections from poor treatment in detention settings. Our students engaged in critical discussion around the responsibilities of states to observe Convention provisions around detention, and the practicalities of investigating concerns around conditions in detention settings.
August 29th, 2024: Welcome to our new students for the Kovler Project Against Torture for Fall 2024! Today was the first day of classes for new students taking part in the Kovler Project Against Torture and the corresponding class on Torture Prohibition in International Law. More information on the participants can be found at the Current Students page.
In class, students work in groups to analyze state party submissions regarding their obligations under the Convention Against Torture. Students will produce a confidential Supplemental List of Issues for the UN Committee Against Torture on each state party submission. Kovler participants provide invaluable assistance to the Committee and help facilitate assessment and recommendations to each state party.
For this year, our student participants will consider the state party submissions of the following countries to the UN Committee Against Torture鈥檚 81st Session: Cameroon, Jordan, Kuwait, Mongolia, Namibia and Thailand.
The Project offers students a unique and invaluable opportunity to engage directly with experts who have firsthand experience in human rights law and anti-torture work, preparing them for careers where their knowledge and skills can make a significant impact in the fight against torture worldwide.
February 28th, 2024: Applications for the Fall 2024 Kovler Project Against Torture closed. Shortlisted students will be contacted by email between the last week of March and the first weeks of April. The application process for Fall 2025 will open in January 2025. Thank you for expressing your interest in the Project!
February 13th, 2024: The Kovler Project team held an informational session with students interested in participating in the Project for Fall 2024. Professor and Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman provided an interactive Q&A alongside Marta Trevi帽o-Leyva, the program's Assistant Director, and alumni of the programme.
Kovler Project participants are a special group of alumni, students, faculty, and friends. They form a global network committed to strengthening human rights and ending torture worldwide, with experiences in the U.S. and abroad that cut across all sectors.
WCL is the only law school in the U.S. and perhaps the world that considers full implementation of the prohibition against torture and other ill-treatment an essential component of its mission. This reunion presents a unique occasion to address important topics including possibilities for the future and for strengthening this tremendous network.
November 6th 鈥 10th, 2023: Kovler students traveled to Geneva, Switzerland to participate in the 78th session of the Committee against Torture.
The Kovler Project practicum, led by Professor and Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman, includes intensive course work on international law and human rights - including a simulation exercise on the Committee鈥榮 work.
Students monitored the implementation of the Convention Against Torture in the following countries: Egypt, Azerbaijan, Burundi, Costa Rica, Denmark and Slovenia. Students were able to collaborate with leading experts, members of the Committee, and representatives from international organizations. Through developing strategies for preventing and responding to incidents of torture from an international perspective, they enhanced their skills and knowledge necessary to become advocates for change.
"As a law student deeply interested in human rights and international law, this program provided me with invaluable insights and hands-on experience. From analyzing current country conditions and providing the Committee with support to effectively conduct its review to opportunities for collaboration and networking, this is a truly unique and worthwhile experience. It is much more than merely an academic program; it's an opportunity to become an effective advocate in the field of human rights.鈥 - Natalie A. Landau, J.D. '24
鈥淧articipating in Kovler was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to intimately engage with a UN Treaty Body and learn about the role governments, international bodies, and civil society have to play in combatting torture.鈥濃 Michael Karam, J.D. 鈥25
February 8th, 2022:听Kovler students and alumni gathered in person and online for the Annual Kovler Project Against Torture Alumni Dinner. Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman spoke and led the group in community and networking.
Kovler Project participants are a special group of alumni, students, faculty, and friends. They form a global network committed to strengthening human rights and ending torture worldwide, with experiences in the U.S. and abroad that cut across all sectors.
WCL is the only law school in the U.S. and perhaps the world that considers full implementation of the prohibition against torture and other ill-treatment an essential component of its mission. This reunion presents a unique occasion to address important topics including possibilities for the future and for strengthening this tremendous network.
November 6-12, 2022: Kovler students traveled to Geneva, Switzerland to participate in the 75th session of the Committee against Torture (CAT).听 The Kovler Project practicum, led by Professor and Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman, includes intensive course work on international law and human rights - including a simulation exercise on the CAT鈥榮 work.听 Students observed the Committee鈥檚 proceedings, engaged in research and provided briefings on country conditions to rapporteurs. Additionally, students met with government and NGO representatives, international civil servants, and alums working in Geneva.
The Kovler Project Against Torture was established in 2004 by Professor of Law and Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman (former member and chair of the UN Committee Against Torture).听 Kovler Student Scholars undertake a practice-oriented deep dive on the prohibition of torture in international law through the Project鈥檚 specialized practicum, simulation, and week at the UN Committee against Torture session in Geneva, Switzerland. Students provide the Committee chairperson and country rapporteurs with research on States' compliance with the UN Convention against Torture. Project participants observe the Committee鈥檚 proceedings, reflect on advocacy, strategies, and relevant developments, and provide briefings to Committee members.听 In anticipation of their week-long engagement with the Committee, students participate in an in-depth simulation of a Committee session, representing both NGOs and State parties, while being questioned by a panel comprised of current and past CAT members.听 Students conduct intensive research on the six countries appearing before the Committee in the November session, and work in teams to produce reports identifying compliance issues with the Convention.
The practicum is purpose-oriented, providing students with fundamental background information, supplemented by the students' own research regarding in-country conditions of the States they are assigned.听 The practicum's overarching goal is to prepare students to effectively advise the Committee on the compliance of countries.听 The practicum also prepares students to be effective lawyers in international settings.听 Students develop and apply numerous professional skills, e.g., advocacy and professionalism in multi-cultural contexts; processing faculty feedback with opportunities for guided reflection; legal analysis, reasoning, and research; professional and ethical responsibilities; handling and synthesizing voluminous materials, including confidential and sensitive information; team work and collaborative drafting.听
Founded in 2004 as the UN CAT Project, the Project was endowed in December 2016, in recognition of the Blum-Kovler Foundation鈥檚 generous support since 2009. The Founda颅tion鈥檚 support has enabled more students to intensively counter torture and promote human rights through legal education. Ms. Kelsey Lee Offield also provided much-appreciated support to the Project in 2016.
Peter Kovler, Chairman of the Board, Blum-Kovler Foundation
