Classifieds for every web site!

This is the homepage of international human rights lawyer Dr. Curtis Francis Doebbler. This page contains information about my work and information on how to contact me if you wish my assistance on matters concerning yours or others internationally protected human rights. You can also visit my other web pages concerning human rights and international law:

**International Law and the US Response to Terrorism by clicking on the following link: Comment on International Law and the US response to Terrorism

**Human Rights Law and Practice by clicking on the following link: Human Rights Law and Practice.

**Human Rights in Sudan by clicking on the following link: My Sudan Page.

**The Human Rights of Refugees in Sudan by clicking on the following link: The Human Rights of Refugees in Sudan.

**The Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in Sudan by clicking on the following link: The Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in Sudan.

**Human Rights and the United States Presidential Elections in November 2000 by clicking on the following link: USA Elections 2000 & HRs.

**The United States' and the International Community's Policy Concerning Sudan by clicking on the following link: The United States' and the International Community's Policy Concerning Sudan.

**Human Rights and Politics by clicking on the following link: Human Rights and Politics.


*************************************************************************************


You can e-mail me with your questions about international human rights law, to enquire about redress for human rights abuses you or others may have suffered, or to discuss a particular threat to your or others' human rights. Alternatively, you can e-mail me with a short message and ask me to get in touch with you. My e-mail address is: human_rights_lawyer@writeme.com or, if that doesn't work try: cdoebbler@yahoo.com.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Please note that although I have passed the DC Bar Examination*, I am an international human rights lawyer and not a domestic lawyer in the District of Columbia or elsewhere. This means that I will not represent individuals before any national court and you should have made substantial steps towards exhausting your domestic remedies before contacting me with your case.

*Although I have passed the DC Bar examinations (Multistate, Essay, Practice, and Professional Responsibility), the Admissions Committee of the DC Court of Appeals has informed me that it will not certify me to practice law in DC.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Some Personal Data

I was born on 31 March 1961 in Buffalo, NY, USA and have Dutch and American nationality, although I only travel on an American passport. I can speak Dutch and English without a problem and have studied Italian, German, Arabic, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish and French. My professional interests are in international human rights law, public international law, and comparative constitutional law.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Human Rights are your rights and responsibilities...

Human Rights Legal Representation, Teaching or Consultation
I am always willing to consider human rights work. I have experience with cases before numerous international human rights bodies including the European Commission of Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights and communications several United Nations bodies. I also have experience representing IGOs, governments, NGOs and private individuals in a variety of international contexts where international law is relevant.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


I am also always willing to consider doing short-term teaching, consulting or representation in any area of public international law. My experience includes:
*teaching human rights to judges, lawyers and university and graduate students;
*training non-expert professionals in international human rights law (medical doctors, psychologists, relief workers, university lecturers, scientists, commercial lawyers, politicians, judges, religious personnel);
*training ordinary people about their human rights (displaced people, homeless people, refugees, young people);
*writing reports, articles and books on international human rights law asylum law and comparative constitutional law;
*training 'action groups' on the international human rights and constitutional provisions relevant to their cause, how to profile this aspect of their cause, and their own human rights in taking action;
*advising governments, NGOs, IGOs and private individuals on international human rights law; and
*representing individuals in matters concerning international human rights law and immigration law;


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Indigent individuals or others, may, by agreement with me, be assisted free of charge. In any event, I am always willing to discuss your case or any human rights matter with you for free in first instance.

Queries from individuals, law firms, universities, schools and organizations concerning teaching, research, guest lectures or representation in matters of human rights are welcome.

My normal commercial rates start at two hundred United States dollars per hour.

I chose the cases in which I represent people on the basis those who contact me first and on my own evaluation of the consequences of the case for the protection of human rights in general. If I am not able to represent you, I am always able to recommend another competent human rights lawyer.

If you have Netmeeting you can call me on the computer if I am logged in at ils.microsoft.com/cdoebbler@yahoo.com.

Human Rights Work in Progress & Ads
Currently I am involved in active cases before the Inter-American Commission, the UN Human Rights Committee, the European Court of Human Rights and the African Commission of Human and Peoples' Rights.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


I do research on:
1. Refugee repatriation and protection policies and practices. 2. Cross-cultural perspectives and cooperation for ensuring internationally protected human rights. 3. Individual's in the process of international human rights law.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


First, I advise different governments on issues of international human rights law, providing independent, impartial advice from the perspective of an international human rights lawyer, a profession for which I have studied more than fifteen years at university level and in which I have more than ten years practical experience. To maintain my independence refuse to accept any form of permanent employment with any government, although I may do short term consultancies. Second, I teach human rights to different groups of people--both governmentaland non-governmental. Third, I represent individuals who are referred to me and advise them on their human rights, often through other law offices. At the moment, I have more than 2500 clients around the world, most of them are refugees or internally displaced people. Almost all of my work for these individuals is on a pro bono basis. Finally, I write on issues of international human rights law and public international law--both print and electronic publications and sometimes accept legal consultancies.

Selected Publications
Publications available directly from me:

UK ASYLUM LAW IN ITS EUROPEAN CONTEXT, (1999), pp. 161, published by Platinium Press and GEMS at SOAS, edited by Prakash Shah and Curtis Doebbler.
This book includes contributions by some of the leading immigration lawyers in Europe as well as some of the most promising new minds in the field. It examines the main United Kingdom laws effecting aslyum seekers and provides valuable advice for the process of immigration law reform. The book is a 'must' for anyone wishing to involve themselves in the contemporary debates on asylum law reform. It is aimed at practitioners and policy-makers, but will also be of value to students seeking to familiarize themselves with the intricate world of asylum law. The book also contains unique arguments for asylum law practitioners and for international human rights lawyers seeking to challenge asylum laws and practices. Among the contributing authors are Nicholas Blake, Debbie Winterbourne, Roel Fernhout, Monica Feria-Tinta and Prakash Shah. This book is available by e-mail order for the special price of £10 (GBP) if you e-mail me below.


INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS IN SOCIETY
(A regularly updated case and materials book for human rights courses.) (Begun in 1997). Although there are a few cases and materials books on the market this book has been tuned to the needs of students who want to really work or practice in this field and therefore need to learn both the instruments and the case law. It is hoped that the book will be updated regularly, but that will depend on the publisher. If you teach a course in international human rights law to law students or those who will actually work in the field after they finish your course, you should have this book. The latest edition of this book can be purchased by e-mailing me for the price of $50.00 USD plus postage.


THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW (1997), pp. 430 Ph.D. Thesis.
This book critically examines the participation of individuals in the process of international human rigths law. It is contemporary value-oriented policy approach to international human rights law that will be interesting to anyone who is involved in the development of this law or who is interested in its development. Available for $35.00.


Various working papers including one on the assessment of (complex) disaster situations that discusses how assessments might provide information value to developing respect for human rights. I have also published several short reports or working papers in the field of conflict resolution, individual actions to protect human rights, strategies for peace in various conflict situations, and reports on human rights in Iraq, Northern Iraq, the Former Yugoslavia and on Sudan. I can also make my publications on asylum law and human rights available to interested parties for free or at a low cost.


Electronic Publications:

For an unedited articles on IDPs and refugees in Sudan see: The Human Rights of Refugees in Sudan or The Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in Sudan.


For excerpts of an article on children in the armed conflict in former Yugoslavia see: Children in the War in former Yugoslavia.


At the monment I am also completing three workbooks for the Iolis project on International Law (Human Rights, State Responsibility and Territory), see: Iolis International Law Workbook


For a sample of a co-authored article on Sudanese Constitutional Law, see: The 1998 Constitution of Sudan


For a sample of a syllabus for a full year university course on international human rights, see: Syllabus for International Human Rights Course


For examples of my opinion, commentary or editorial writings on human rights, politics international organizations, etc. please see: Other writing by CF Doebbler.


For my weekly column on Sudan: Human Rights and Peace Issues at Sudan Online please see: Weekly Sudan Column (click on "Doebbler Column" on left hand side of screen).

My Academic and Legal Background



UNIVERSITY EDUCATION


London School of Economics and Political Science.
London, the United Kingdom. Degree of Ph.D. awarded March 1998. Thesis topic: The Individual in the Process of International Law. Supervisors: Judge Rosalyn Higgins, Professor of International Law at LSE (during 1994-1995) and Professors Peter Muchlinski and Gunther Teubner (during 1996-1997). Lectured in the University of London LL.M. courses comparative immigration and nationality law and international protection of human rights. In cooperation with the academic staff at School for African and Oriental Studies of the University of London, initiated a computer-based database of the decisions of the Immigration Appeals Adjudicators and data from UNHCR's Centre for Documentation on Refugees project and project to write a book on the new United Kingdom Asylum Law in 1997.

Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen.
Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Degree of Masters of Law (LL.M./meesterstitel) awarded January 1993; GPA: 8.2 (B/B+). Specialized in Dutch law, public international law and comparative constitutional law. Twice represented the university in the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition. Awarded fellowship to the Hague Academy Research Seminar in 1988 researching the topic: terrorism and international law. Attended the Hague Academy lectures in private and public international law in 1988 and 1989. Awarded prize for the best examination result at the Helsinki Summer Seminar in International and European Law in 1988. Initiated a project to provide information on European migration law through a computer database. Lectured on human rights law in Baghdad, Iraq; Padova, Italy; and Minden, Germany. Completed papers on comparative constitutional law, comparative immigration law and human rights law.

New York Law School.
NYC, NY, USA. Degree of Juris Doctors awarded August 1988; GPA: 2.8 (B). Specialized in constitutional law, public international law and immigration law. Assisted in drafting the Court of Appeals brief for the a case concerning FCC licensing being handled by the Media Law Clinic. Represented the law school in the 1987 Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition. Completed papers comparing American immigration law to international human rights standards, comparative constitutional law, constitutional history, and comparative American and Dutch business law.

Southern Methodist University.
Dallas, TX, USA. Degrees of Bachelors of Arts in English literature (fiction writing) and Bachelors of Fine Arts in journalism (print) awarded August 1983; GPA: 2.6 (B). Worked or interned as a 'stringer', correspondent, columnist, editor, managing editor, video editor or managing director for various American media companies including NBC, Dallas, TX; Cube Cable, Dallas, TX; The SMU Weekly News, Dallas, TX; Gannett News Agency, White Plains, NY; The Reporter's Dispatch, Carmel, NY; Mercy College newspaper, Dobbs Ferry, NY; The Elephant, Somers, NY; Morris Publishing Company, Mount Kisco, NY; [and CBS Radio News, Amman, Jordan in 1991].



LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Visiting professor at American University in Cairo [title: Distinguished Lecturer]. September 2000 to present. Teaching courses in international relations at the undergraduate and graduate level and a graduate course in international human rights law. Supervising Master degree theses and assisting in the establishment of a legal studies program.

Legal Representative on Human Rights Cases.1988 to present. Actively represent individuals in communications to national administrative tribunals and various international human rights bodies, including those of the United Nations, the European, the Inter-American and the African systems for the protection of human rights. Also act as a consultant on humanitarian projects, refugee care projects, legal aid projects, projects to disseminate information on international human rights and international humanitarian law sponsored by governments and non-governmental organizations. This work frequently includes lobbying and negotiating with government authorities.

Consultant on Peace and Disarmament Projects.1990 to present. Provide advice on conflict resolution strategies and activities in the Former Yugoslavia, Iraq and Sudan.

Teaching international human rights law to university students, teachers, legal professionals, military personnel, security and police personnel, social workers and human rights observers. 1990 to present. Have taught human rights in lectures, training classes or seminars in at the Commonwealth Institute, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Birbeck College, University College, London School of Economics as well as abroad in Germany, Tunisia, Lebanon, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Iraq, Egypt and Sudan, among others.

Legal Consultant and 'of Counsel' to the Law Office of Ghazi Suleiman on Matters of Public International Law, especially International Human Rights. January 1998 to August 1999 (maintain an advisory capacity from abroad). Advise on international human rights issues.

Legal Advisor to the Advisory Council on Human Rights of the Government of Sudan. July 1997 to August 1999. Provided independent and voluntary advice on issues of human rights. My advice was based on international human rights law and aimed at ensuring respect for this law. Advised the National Constitutional Committee on the drafting of the 1998 Constitution as well as different government bodies in the legislative process of drafting laws relating to the protection of human rights.

Lecturer at Khartoum University [Visiting Professor].September 1997 to December 1998. Teaching courses in international human rights law, public international law, international economics and 19th Century American Literature. [Resigned from this position in protest of the university's policy requiring non-Muslims to wear the hijab, which had prevented a significant number of my students from attending several class sessions.]

Consultant on the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of the Child to UNICEF in Khartoum, Sudan. September 1997 to December 1997. Provided advice on child rights advocacy, national laws, including the new constitution, concerning children, and specific cases. Began drafting a plan to integrate human rights in UNICEF Sudan's work.

Teacher at London School of Economics and Political Science.London, UK. September 1995 to October 1997; coordinator (1995-96), lecturer and teacher (1995-97). Lectures and classes in International Protection of Human Rights and classes in public international law (1996-97).

Legal Representative to Humanitarian Organizations in Former Yugoslavia. September 1993 to February 1994. Represented a South African organization donating a 12 million dollar hospital to East Mostar, Bosnia and Hercegovina. Responsible for several feasibility studies for health and peacebuidling interventions, including drug inventories of existing health structures in East Mostar, negotiating the cooperation of with the political leaders and local administrators of the parties to the conflict, negotiating support from several western governments, and coordinating the cooperation of the UNPROFOR, UNHCR, ICRC and the conflicting parties.

Legal Advisor to the Dutch Law Firm of Van Driel & Veraarts, Alkmaar, NL. During 1993. Assisted in drafting appellate brief for a case concerning refugee law.

Volunteer Legal Advisor to the Dutch Refugee Council in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. 1989 to 1991. Advised staff, refugees, and asylum seekers on relevant law.

Pre-1990 Experience

Legal Assistant to Bernard Raphan, a sole practitioner in NYC, from 1985 to 1987. Assisted on state and federal cases concerning contract law, real estate law, personal injuries, immigration, criminal law and landlord-tenant law.

Research Assistant to Professor Michael Perlin, New York Law School, NYC, during 1986 and 1987, on a treatise on mental health law, published in two volumes in 1991.

Research Assistant to Professor Z. Mohgrabi, New York Law School, NYC, during 1986, on a textbook on international business transactions.

Library Assistant at New York Law School Library during 1985-87, with experience on computer-based research (Lexis/Nexis and Westlaw) and Internet development.

Community Service Volunteer and clerk to London Solicitor Stephen Burton. London, UK, during 1984-85. Experience included assisting with the drafting of pleadings and court documents.

Legal Assistant to Bernard Schnall, partner and head of the company law section of Rubin Schwartz & Schnall, NYC, during 1983-84. Experience in company law matters.



AWARDS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

2001: Human Rights Award of the Academy of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law of the Washington College of Law, American University in Washington, D.C., USA.
2000: Diploma of the Hague Academy of International Law, Den Haag, the Netherlands.
2000: Judge in the American University, Washington College of Law, Inter-American Human Rights Law Moot Court Competition, Washingtion, D.C..
1998-2000: Judge in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C..
1995-1997: Holder of Law Department Fellowship at London School of Economics and Political Science.
1995-1997: Holder of Morris Finer Scholarship at London School of Economics and Political Science.
1987: First Prize of the Helsinki Academy of International Law.

Full Publication List and Referees Available Upon Request.



FastCounter by bCentral

Contact me right now by using this form!

Please use this form to contact us. We appreciate your feedback. Your Name: Your E-Mail address: Your postal address: Your phone number: Please write your comments or questions here: Would you like for us to contact you? Yes No

human_rights_lawyer@writeme.com Dr Curtis F Doebbler Telephone: +1-202-248-1411 & Fax: +1-425-795-1652

---

Created by the "Home Page Creator", a free public service of the Washington, DC Registry Last modified: Friday, 07-Apr-2006 11:45:33 EDT Copyright © 1995-2003 Hagen Software, Inc.. All rights reserved. Usage subject to our access agreement. Please send your questions, comments, or bug reports to the Webmaster.