Omar Zniber, President of the Human Rights Council (HRC) and Morocco’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva, kicked off the 16th “Nelson Mandela” World Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Geneva on Monday.
The only global moot court competition explicitly dedicated to human rights, the competition is significant not only for fostering constructive criticism, exchanging values, and renewing commitment to human rights, but also for training human rights defenders.
Zniber touted the competition’s value in training future lawyers and human rights defenders in the essential skills to uphold and defend human rights.
“I hope this Moot Court Competition will serve as a crucial professional development experience, enhancing your advocacy skills and legal acumen,” Zniber told the student participants.
“I am optimistic that your participation will inspire proactive steps in addressing pressing human rights issues at national, regional, and international levels.”
Zniber commended the participants’ passion and dedication as advocates and future leaders in the area of human rights. He pointed out their crucial contribution to the Human Rights Council’s mission to promote universal respect for human rights and address instances of human rights violations.
More generally, he said that the competition is an opportunity to reaffirm our “dedication to building a world where every human life holds equal value, regardless of circumstances or cost.”
The “Nelson Mandela” Global Human Rights Moot Court Competition is a creation of the Centre for Human Rights, the School of Law at the University of Pretoria, the Academy of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at the American University’s Washington College of Law, and the Commonwealth Secretariat of States, in collaboration with the Human Rights Council Branch at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Held annually, the competition gathers law students from around the world in Geneva to argue a hypothetical human rights case before a mock tribunal.