Reed Brody and Juan Mendez appointed to join the International Commission of Jurists

By Lauren E. Bartlett 

This week the International Commission of Jurists announced the election of five new commissioners, including Reed Brody and Juan Mendez. The International Commission of Jurists is made up of 60 judges and lawyers from across the globe and “promotes and protects human rights through the Rule of Law, by using its unique legal expertise to develop and strengthen national and international justice systems.”  The International Commission of Jurists is one of the oldest human rights and rule of law-related NGOs and has been key in the drafting and adoption of many international human rights instruments,  including the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and more.

Mr. Brody is Counsel and Spokesperson for Human Rights Watch, and Mr. Mendez recently wrapped up his second term as the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture. Both Mr. Brody and Mr. Mendez have long histories of promoting human rights in the U.S. and many successes to celebrate, including helping to pressure the U.S. to change its policies regarding prisoner abuse. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Brody and Mr. Mendez and anticipating future terrific U.S. human rights advocacy.