Lawyers Rights Watch Canada

What services does your organization provide?
LRWC provides research and education about internationally protected rights and state duties arising from international human rights instruments and promotes enforcement of advocacy and related human rights through letter writing, trial observation, in-country investigations, amicus curiae briefs, making written and oral statements to the UN Human Rights Commission, submitting shadow report to UN treaty monitoring bodies, making complaints to UN Special Mandate holders, attending sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly.

Do you have any age requirements?
Experience, knowledge and availability are the requirements irregardless of age.

Do you require language proficiency other than in English?
English is the language required for the volunteer activities listed above. We also appreciate the help of people to translate communications to French, Spanish, Turkish, Farsi, Persian and Russian.

What time commitment(s) are you expecting from a volunteer?
LRWC looks for volunteers who can make a commitment of a set amount of time for a year. The task assigned to the volunteer will depend on their qualifications coupled with their availability. LRWC is run by volunteers and so must always accommodate other commitments but do ask our volunteers to commit to working with LRWC over a period of time so that the learning and training will not be wasted.

Are there any other requirements for being a volunteer?
LRWC requires volunteers to assist with: legal research, campaign follow-up, distribution of LRWC publications and Press Releases, office administration, fundraising, website maintenance, IT communications, newsletter formatting and editing of research work.

Are there any specific skills and experience required?
We want volunteers who are good at legal research and writing, online research and reporting, are precise, are driven to do a good job and are self-governing.

Is there any training provided for volunteers?
The training provided will differ according to the tasks assigned and the level of proficiency of the volunteer.

What are the typical volunteer activities occurring at your organization?
LRWC is run by volunteers. Please see our website for activities at www.lrwc.org

How will a person benefit from volunteering with Lawyers Rights Watch Canada?
The LRWC volunteer will learn about international human rights law and the challenges impairing enforcement around the world. The LRWC volunteer will also learn about how human rights organizations seek to improve implementation and enforcement of international human rights law and will have an opportunity to improve existing skills. Volunteers will have the opportunity to make a difference.

Do you accept high school students?
Yes. Students requiring an end of internship assessment must provide a precise outline of the graduation requirements and the student's plan to fulfill those requirements.