Nearly a decade after launching targeted advocacy for victims of military sexual assault, faculty, students, and alumni in the Gender Justice Clinic recently traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, to present recommendations on this and sex workers’ rights in hearings before the U.N. Human Rights Committee.

The Cornell team joined more than 140 U.S. NGO representatives, experts, and individuals working on and directly impacted by a wide range of human rights issues.

As a member state of the United Nations, the United States agrees to abide by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a part of the International Bill of Human Rights. Member countries participate in periodic reviews of their human rights records before the committee, which seeks not only an official government accounting but also submissions from contributors representing civil society. The committee then issues observations and recommendations.

“It’s important for civil society to hold the United States accountable for actually living up to its human rights obligations. This is a part of a broader process of both international and domestic advocacy,” said Elizabeth Brundige, clinical professor of law who co-teaches the clinic.

Read the full story on the Cornell Law School website.