The second Trocaire legal internship was launched at an event in the Atrium, Distillery Building on Wednesday 17th June 2015 which was chaired by Chairman David Barniville, SC. Members present heard from Mr Éamonn Meehan , Executive Director of Trócaire about “Working together for a Just World”; giving an overview of Trocaire’s human rights work and how they value the partnership with the Bar Council. Mr Seán Farrell, Director of International Division Trócaire gave a very personal insight into the work of Trocaire in Zimbabwe as he is stationed there.
Applications are encouraged from members for this very worthwhile initiative. Last year’s intern, David Perry BL initial work included general research as to the issues facing human rights defenders across the world, and various forms of protection open to them. As the internship progressed, the work involved researching specific options that human rights defenders have open to them in seeking protection, at the national, regional and international levels. For instance, David looked at the protections that the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders could provide, as well as regional-level courts such as the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights, and protection services provided nationally by certain NGOs. David ultimately wrote a handbook, outlining all of the protection mechanisms available to human rights defenders and critically assessing what can be expected in practical terms from these mechanisms. The handbook was aimed at those without a legal background, and is to be circulated to Trocaire project countries as a resource for those working with and advising at-risk human rights defenders.