Even in a time of human rights backlash, University of Minnesota human rights student Aidan Thomason found affirmation and inspiration as a summer intern with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
During her three months there, Thomason engaged with human rights advocates from all over the world. She met with OHCHR country teams about addressing transnational repression, and was even in the room when the Iranian prime minister gave a speech during that country’s conflict with Israel.
Thomason said these experiences expanded her perspective of what’s possible as a human rights advocate.
Thomason is in her second year pursuing her Master of Human Rights (MHR), which is jointly offered by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the College of Liberal Arts. The program has a relationship with the OHCHR that allows one of its students to intern with the agency each summer.
Hands-on work protecting free expression
The OHCHR's mandate is to uphold human rights as they are defined by the UN, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all of the associated human rights treaties. Its job is to monitor, report, and provide assistance to countries around the world as they try to uphold human rights.
The OHCHR also hosts various teams that address specific human rights issues. Thomason interned on the civic space team, which works to protect people's right to free expression and creates environments that enable people to exercise those rights.
"It enables everything else that we're doing. If activists can't push for human rights, then we won’t have them," Thomason said.
Thomason said several of her classes at the University, including those on migration and international human rights law, prepared her well for her internship.
During her time at OHCHR, she conducted research on transnational repression, where governments reach into other countries to silence dissent among exiles through tactics such as assassinations, illegal deportations, abductions, digital threats, and family intimidation. Thomason said she was especially interested in this topic, because transnational repression is a relatively new issue that's gaining more attention among human rights defenders.
Thomason also collaborated on a project to track government restrictions on non-governmental organizations (NGOs), many of which raise awareness of critical issues such as human rights, environmental protection, and social justice. Thomason's research found a large spike over the last 15 years of governments passing anti-NGO legislation.
Witnessing change in action
Thomason said she had many memorable experiences during her internship, but one particular day stood out. She was helping with an event to launch a brief on transnational repression during a session of the Human Rights Council—the main UN body responsible for addressing human rights violations and country situations. During that session, Thomason sat in the same row as the individuals running the panel, including a member of the Human Rights Committee.
She said it was inspiring and intriguing to observe leaders engaging in discussion and problem solving from that vantage point. "That was the coolest thing I think I did all summer," she added.
Thomason also met with civil society organizations working to document the harms happening to activists in their countries. Despite many challenges faced by human rights organizations, including funding cuts, she said they continue to look to the UN for assistance and support.
"There are people out there meeting the moment, even though it's scary and hard," said Thomason. These interactions affirmed her commitment to support and empower people who are doing human rights work on the ground, especially those who face great risk.
Inspired for her next chapter
Thomason returned from this experience with a sense of hope, knowing that there are people around the world who are working to support human rights and fight for the future.
She was reminded that meaningful progress happens collectively and incrementally by dedicated, innovative people. She noted that some people at the UN cannot go back to their home countries—they would be at risk because of their human rights work for the OHCHR.
"I think that's a testament to how much our fellow humans are trying to make this world better," said Thomason.
After she graduates in May, Thomason said she would love to work at the OHCHR or another international human rights organization. She said her internship exposed her to new avenues for careers and sparked her interest in different human rights topics, including migrants' rights to privacy.
"I realized what a dire state the world of human rights is in right now," Thomason said. "But [my experience] also really solidified my commitment to doing something about it."
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The original version of this story was published by the Human Rights Program.
