Job Description

International Justice Program Intern

The International Justice Program of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking graduate and law students for an internship based in an HRW Office in New York, Brussels, or Washington D.C. The intern should ideally be available for 16 to 18 hours per week beginning in mid to late September 2025 until early to mid December 2025, dates and times are flexible with possibility of extending. The internship will primarily focus on monitoring international law developments in targeted country situations and researching and drafting papers on issues of international justice. The intern will gain knowledge of international courts and international justice mechanisms and will build skills in legal research, writing, and advocacy. Close supervision and evaluation sessions will be held to provide the intern feedback and support.

The intern will learn and be exposed to:

• Conducting legal research and analyzing international law;
• Reviewing and documenting media reports on relevant issues;
• Monitoring developments at the International Criminal Court;
• Conducting policy analysis of ongoing international justice developments;
• Identifying and understanding key issues in international justice;
• Compiling case research and drafting advocacy-style documents that will be used internally and as background for advocacy projects;
• Gaining familiarity with the Rome Statute and developing a greater attention to detail through footnoting and fact-checking; and
• Presenting information in a compelling manner in internal drafts.

Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, special events relating to human rights, as well as network with other HRW interns, volunteers, and employees. As an HRW intern, students will take skills acquired in school and apply them in a professional setting.

Qualifications:

• Eligible applicants in Belgium include students enrolled in an accredited, degree-granting masters or law program for the duration of the internship term or recent graduates of an academic program who are undergoing an internship for further training;
• Eligible applicants in the United States must be enrolled in a graduate or law program for the duration of the internship term;
• Background in law (either an LLB, LLM, JD, or other relevant law degree) is highly desirable;
• Strong interest in international criminal justice and a demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues is highly desirable;
• Relevant coursework is highly preferred;
• Fluency in English is required, fluency and or knowledge of French is a plus; and
• Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, internet applications) are essential.

Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization in the United States or Belgium for the full duration of the internship.

Compensation: Internship compensation varies by jurisdiction based on local laws and HRW policy. If based in the US, interns will be paid an hourly wage of USD 17.00 per hour. Human Rights Watch offers interns in the US twenty (20) days of vacation prorated per year pursuant to the intern schedule and length of internship. If based in Belgium, Interns who are currently enrolled masters or law students, completing this internship as a required part of their university program, must provide proof of external funding and will be reimbursed for their lunch and local travel costs as pre-approved by HRW and in accordance with HRW policy. Interns in Belgium who are recent graduates will receive a gross stipend of EUR 1055.94 per month.

Students may be able to arrange academic credit, as Human Rights Watch internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, and interaction with other US and international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately by visiting our online job portal at: and attaching a CV/resume, letter of interest, and a writing sample. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the large number of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email Internships@hrw.org. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.

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