IACHR Opens Call for Applications for the Elizabeth Abi-Mershed Fellowship on Following Up and Monitoring Cases

January 2, 2024

Washington, D.C. — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is accepting applications for the Elizabeth Abi-Mershed Fellowship on Following Up and Monitoring Cases. The fellowship is aimed at young professionals who will have the opportunity to contribute to strengthen the follow-up of recommendations made by the IACHR in the framework of its petition and case system.

The call for applications is open until January 23, 2024. The requirements and supporting documents needed to apply can be found on the IACHR website.

This fellowship is a tribute to Elizabeth Abi-Mershed's lifelong commitment to human rights, emphasizing her profound impact on the Inter-American System of Human Rights and her enduring legacy as a mentor and guide to future generations of human rights advocates. The selected candidate for the fellowship will support the work of the IACHR's Follow-Up on Recommendations and Impact Section.

Elizabeth Abi-Mershed had a B.A. in Art History from the University of Maryland, a J.D., with honors, from American University and a LL.M., with distinction, specializing in International and Comparative Law from Georgetown University. She taught international law and human rights, as well as the inter-American human rights system (IAHRS). Throughout her 26-year career, she served as a specialist, coordinator, legal director, and Deputy Secretary of the IACHR, until 2018.

Elizabeth left a broad and legacy in the judicial field, in her passion for promoting the development of human rights and in being an example and mentor. She was an exceptional professional, tirelessly committed to the defense of fundamental rights and the values of the IACHR. Through this fellowship, the Commission seeks to continue her valuable legacy and contribute to the training of young professionals in the IAHRS. This fellowship is an initiative funded by the U.S. Mission to the OAS.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

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