Onderzoekschool Rechten van de Mens/School of Human Rights Research

At present, more than sixty senior researchers in the field of human rights participate in the Research School and about thirty junior researchers receive their training within the framework of this Research School. All these researchers are employed by the Dutch universities who participate in the School of Human Rights Research. Within the framework of the Research School, the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM) offers a limited number of fellowships to both Ph.D. students and senior researchers from outside the Netherlands (see below).

The activities of the senior and junior researchers have been grouped together in four so-called clusters related to different human rights themes. The clusters serve as platforms for all participating senior and junior researchers within the School. In 2000, a start was made of organising research activities, international conferences, seminars and meetings within the framework of the four clusters:

(1) International norms and procedures

The research in this cluster is focussed on the continuing interaction between international, regional systems and national systems aimed at the protection of human rights. Research activities in this cluster specifically deal with the question whether the supervisory mechanisms are effective and sufficient and with the effect of international and regional norms in the (Dutch) national legal system. Furthermore, the different international and regional and supervisory mechanism will be compared. Attention will also be given to the meaning of human rights for private actors (such as multinational corporations) and to the issue of reinforcing the legal character of economic, social and cultural rights. Moreover, the universality and universal acceptance of human rights will be examined. In this cluster special attention is given to the significance of human rights norms for the universal protection of the rights of women.

(2) Foreign policy and historical dimensions

Research in this cluster deals with the realisation of foreign policy regarding human rights and the influence of non-governrnental organisations on this policy. Research on the factors that enhance the effectiveness of a human rights policy towards certain countries, will continue, as will the research of a group of political scientists and historians on the Dutch human rights policy with regard to the policies of a number of selected countries. Special attention will be given to the analysis of disparities between the aspirations and the actual realisation of Dutch foreign policy regarding human rights in special concrete situations. Moreover, research will be carried out on Dutch human rights policy within the framework of the European Union, the United Nations and other international organisations. In this context the relation between the human rights policy and the policy regarding development co-operation and peace and security, will also be examined. The above mentioned topics will be examined from both a historical and a political science perspective. Finally, the research on the historical development of human rights principles will be continued (inter alia the role of the League of Nations and the historical development of the concept of democracy).

(3) Criminal law and international humanitarian law

Research in this cluster concentrates on the central role human rights play in criminal proceedings. Special attention will be given, on the one hand, to the question how human rights norms relate to the shift away from traditional criminal law towards non-judicial settlement, on the other hand. In this cluster research also deals with the significance of criminal law in preventing war, war crimes and crimes against humanity. In this respect, special attention will be given to the case law of existing international criminal tribunals (such as the international criminal tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia (ITCY) and Rwanda (ITCR) and the permanent International Criminal Court). One of the aims is to make the case law accessible for a wide public by publishing the decisions of these new judicial organs. In some national situations, where the actual punishment of the culprits is not the only aim, governments have established "truth and reconciliation commissions". Research within this cluster will also be directed to the operation and significance of such national commissions. Finally, the research will be focussed on the cause of human rights violations by state and/or non-state actors.

(4) Gender, diversity and "vulnerable" groups

Research in this cluster is focussed on the significance of international, regional and national human rights norms for special or "vulnerable" groups, such as migrants, asylum-seekers, children, homosexuals, prisoners, mental patients and handicapped persons. Special attention will be given to the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination as well as to the significance of human rights norms in light of combating of violence against, and the exploitation of children. The implementation of cultural, economic and social rights (such as affirmative action policies) towards ethnic minorities, women and other so-called "vulnerable" groups will also be important research issue within cluster.

International programme

Within the framework of the School of Human Rights Research, the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM), located in the historical centre of Utrecht in the heart of the Netherlands, from time to time offers possibilities to both Ph.D. students and senior researchers from outside the Netherlands to conduct research in a stimulating environment.

Ph.D. students

The international programme of the School of Human Rights Research and SIM provides excellent and advanced Ph.D. students with the opportunity to implement the final stage of their research in the interdisciplinary environment of SIM. If they are accepted (depending on supervision facilities, office space and financial means), they are provided with their own workplace including all necessary research facilities. Apart from the general library facilities of Utrecht University Ph.D. fellows are entitled to use SIM’s own documentation centre that includes a wide selection of books, journals and databases containing the jurisprudence of regional and international human rights mechanisms.

Every Ph.D. researcher will be personally supervised by a professor associated with SIM or the School of Human Rights Research. Moreover, SIM’s open atmosphere allows Ph.D. fellows to discuss their research findings also with other staff members and Ph.D. candidates during lunch meetings, seminars and other events. Ph.D. researchers are provided with the opportunity to participate in all events organized by the School of Human Rights Research, such as the Ph.D. graduate programme consisting of workshops, conferences and Ph.D. research seminars, including participation in the Utrecht interfaculty Research Focus Area “Conflicts and Human Rights”.

Qualifications

Basically, the School of Human Rights Research offers in exceptional cases positions for one or two years. However, in case the candidate has sufficient financial means to cover a longer period expanding of the duration of stay can be considered. Positions are only available for candidates with excellent qualifications and references, furthermore, their research has to be in an advanced stage. The topic of their project should fit within the general framework of the Research School,* and candidates are expected to have published on their topic of research in at least one international scientific journal. Candidates are expected to write their dissertation in English and to defend their thesis at Utrecht University.

Procedure

Interested Ph.D. students should contact the International Office of the Utrecht University School of Law: research@luu.nl. The International Office will provide candidates with the necessary information and research enrollment form. Upon receipt of the application form (with all the requested documents) the International Office will consult SIM and/or other departments of the faculty. The International Programme Committee of SIM meets monthly to discuss the various applications and will inform the International Office of its decision. Subsequently, the International Office will inform the candidate either negatively or positively. In the latter case, all practical matters (such as housing, insurances, visa) will be handled by the International Office, all other matters (such as supervision) will be dealt with by the department concerned.

For further information, click here and/or to contact Ms Marcella Kiel, e-mail: m.kiel@uu.nl.

Visiting fellows

The international programme of the Research School offers an opportunity for prominent academics in the field of human rights to take a sabbatical leave from their work and spend a short period (with a maximum of six months) as a visiting fellow at SIM. Visiting fellows are provided with an office including all necessary research facilities in order to give them time for reflection, research and writing in a stimulating interdisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

Applicants are expected to have a formal position at a university outside the Netherlands. They should be recognized specialists in the field of human rights and must have published widely in internationally acknowledged academic journals. The topic of their research should fit within the general framework of the Research School.* Furthermore, they are expected to participate in the academic activities organized by the Research School, and to contribute to the intellectual life at SIM, by offering lectures or organizing a seminar associated with the particular aspect of human rights of interest to the fellow.

*Special areas of research

1. The significance of developments of human rights law for the general concepts of international and national (public) law;
2. Armed conflicts, conflict prevention and human rights;
3. The European Union and human rights