Bridging Academia and Human Rights Defenders: The Student Pro Bono Legal Work Connection

Koula, Aikaterini ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1366-1997 (2025) Bridging Academia and Human Rights Defenders: The Student Pro Bono Legal Work Connection. In: Human Rights Defenders under Siege. Edward Elgar Publishing. (In Press)

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Abstract

The chapter explores how academia can support Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) through Student Pro Bono legal work. It specifically examines HRDs’ challenges, while considering existing academic initiatives demonstrates academia’s potential to provide pragmatic support. Pro Bono’s legal, pedagogical, policy, social and personal dimensions are highlighted. These dimensions are thoroughly examined to highlight their importance and their inherent ability to strengthen HRDs’ mission. The chapter emphasizes the multi-layered benefits for all parties involved, be it the HRDs themselves, the academic institutions, or the students and the potential social transformation that the effective implementation can bring. Expert organisations are discussed as essential partners, and the role of academic staff is also explored. The chapter also identifies one of the greatest challenges: the recruitment of volunteers, due to the lack of familiarity with the term ‘human rights defender’ and their work. Untimately, this chapter presents an innovative and collaborative approach that brings together academia, HRDs, and specialised organisations in advancing human rights. It also highlights the underexplored value of Pro Bono work for HRDs and argues that this represents a promising avenue for further development.