News and Insights
Transitional Justice – Human Rights Fireside Chat with Judge Dr. Claudia Fenz
On Wednesday, June 19th, 2024, we had the honor of hosting Judge Dr. Claudia Fenz at our latest, and for this summer term last, Human Rights Fireside Chat.
The evening was centered around the theme "Transition Justice: ‘In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.’ (A. Einstein)". Judge Dr. Fenz shared her invaluable insights into the complexities and realities of transitional justice, drawing from her extensive experience as a judge at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal (ECCC) in Phnom Penh. The participants of the Human Rights Master engaged in a lively discussion, exploring the field of international criminal law and transitional justice with one of the field's leading experts.
We thank Judge Dr. Claudia Fenz and everyone participating for an enlightening evening.
Moot Court Competition 2024
We are excited to announce the successful conclusion of this year's Moot Court Competition on June 15th, 2024, and congratulate all participants for their impressive performances and commitment throughout the competition.
During this summer term, the Human Rights Master participants had the opportunity to enhance their advocacy, legal research, writing, and oral pleading skills by engaging with the presented case and collaborating closely with their peers. The finalists demonstrated their excellent legal argumentation techniques and oral presentation skills arguing their cases before the judges of the bench, President of the Regional Criminal Court, Mag. Friedrich Forsthuber and Ass.-Prof.in Dr.in Mag.a Ingrid Mitgutsch, and the Chair, Program Director, Prof. Dr. Michael Lysander Fremuth.
Their remarkable performances in the final round set them apart – we congratulate the winners of this year’s Moot Court Competition, Franca Zeppetzauer and Rinor Gjergji!
A special thank you goes to the dedicated lecturer and trainer of the Moot Court Module in our Master Program, Konstantina Stavrou!
UN Excursion 2024
On March 15th, 2024 the participants of the LL.M. program visited the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna. This excursion provided them with valuable insights into the work, visions, and goals of the UN. They explored the historic building, including the conference rooms. Moreover, they had the privilege of meeting with an expert from UNIDO, who delivered an enriching lecture to the students.
"Austria's International Human Rights Advocacy?" - Human Rights Fireside Chat with Ambassador Helmut Tichy
On Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 Ambassador Professor Dr Helmut Tichy, former legal adviser of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), shared his broard expertise in the area of international law and diplomacy with the participants of the master's program "Human Rights" during the Human Rights Fireside Chat. Ambassador Tichy delved into the topics of the practice of international law and international organizations, in particular the Austrian state practice.
During the Human Rights Fireside Chat participants of the "Human Rights" master's program get the opportunity to engage in discussions with exceptional experts and personalities on current topics in the field of human rights. Within this casual and informal setting, valuable insights, developments, and challenges of the discussed topics are shared.
Welcome Class of 2023/2024 of the Human Rights Master
We are very happy about the successful start of this year's Human Rights Master! On October 27th 2023, the Academic Director, Professor Michael Lysander Fremuth, held his opening lecture on "Definition and Dimensions of Human Rights", which marks the start of the joint classes for non-lawyer and laywer participants of the program. After warmly welcoming all the 24 participants to this year’s program, and his lecture, Prof. Fremuth hosted an informal Welcome Event for the participants at Café Edison.
Congratulations to all the new Human Rights Master graduates!
On October, 25th of 2023 we had the pleasure to celebrate this year's graduates of our master's program The graduates, their guests, lecturers of the program, as well as University dignitaries commemorated this special occasion in the Main Ceremonial Hall of the University of Vienna. Studienpräses Prof Peter Lieberzeit opened the ceremony with his welcome address focusing on the accomplishment of the graduates of the postgraduate program. Due to health reasons, the Academic Director of the master's program, Prof Michael Lysander Fremuth, unfortunately could only deliver his ceremonial address via video, in which he particularly emphasized the hard work of the graduates during the past academic year and – referring to the Russian War of Aggression against Ukraine as well as the conflict between Israel and Hamas after the terrorist attacks – their opportunity and responsibility to be human rights advocates in times becoming more and more difficult. Last but not least, a representative of the graduates, Irem Edes-Haßl, delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on the last joint year of the participants and their future. The ceremony was accompanied by brass band music. After the ceremony the graduates and their guests were invited to a reception.
We would like to once more congratulate all the graduates on their graduation and wish them all the best for their future and that you can use the profound knowledge gained to achieve all your future goals!
You can find further insights in the archive.