Outstanding Students Recognised for Academic Excellence at Graduation Ceremony

30 October 2024

Students enrolled in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, our Master’s in Transitional Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law, and participants in the Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict are all required to submit a master’s paper. In these papers they explore a specific issue covered in their respective programmes, guided by a faculty member, allowing them to further develop their expertise in a particular subject and examine the limits of protective frameworks, along with strategies to overcome these challenges.

At the graduation ceremony, the best paper from each programme is awarded a distinguished prize, alongside the Henry Dunant Research Prize that is presented to a member of the graduating class for a paper that deepens, strengthens and renews the ideals and commitment of Henry Dunant.

Henry Dunant Research Prize

Ritika Sharma, LLM student in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights was awarded the Henry Dunant Research Prize for her paper titled ‘Harnessing Hindu and Buddhist sources as “dictates of the public conscience”: a gap-filler to address sexual violence against women during conduct of hostilities’.

The jury of the Henry Dunant Research Prize, including Professor Paola Gaeta, Anne Quintin (ICRC), Caty Clément (Foundation Prix Henry Dunant), Morgane Desboeufs (Foundation Prix Henry Dunant), and Dr Clotilde Pégorier, honoured the paper as it not only displayed exceptional academic quality but also delved into current topics that align with Henry Dunant's mission to protect victims of war and persecution, and feminism. Ms Sharma was not present at the ceremony, but a video message was played with her acceptance speech.

‘The paper of Ms Sharma is in line with the themes and combats of Henry Dunant and is of high quality in terms of research. Ms Sharma also tackled a very topical question in an original fashion with the focus on non-Abrahamic religions’ explains our Head of Education Dr Clotilde Pégorier.

LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Paper Prize

Ozan Yildirim received the 2024 Best LLM Paper Prize for his LLM paper ‘The involvement of non-state actors acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the state in enforced disappearance and human rights litigation’.

‘Mr Yildirim's paper brings theory and practice together and demonstrated transversality in how he managed to integrated various legal framework. Additionally, he also made good recommendations and the arguments are well developed, showing his understanding of the chosen topics and in his ability to tackle diverse legal questions’, highlights Dr Pégorier.

Best Master in Transitional Justice and Human rights Paper Prize

The Best MTJ Paper Prize was awarded to Nataly Santana Sánchez for her paper titled ‘Does reproductive violence have a place in transitional justice?: A case study of Colombia's approach to address conflict-related violations of reproductive autonomy’

‘The paper addresses complex and timely issues in transitional justice, offering innovative approaches and solutions. It is supported by thorough research, an extensive review of jurisprudence, and well-developed proposals and recommendations.’ explains Dr Clotilde Pégorier.

Best Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict Paper Prize

Kanako Ohara was awarded the Best ExMas Paper Prize for her paper titled ‘Drones and Mobile Phones: How does International Law Protect Children in Armed Conflict’.

‘Given that the Executive Master programme attracts professionals from diverse domains such as humanitarian work, human rights, the military, and justice, the papers produced by our participants – like this one – hold direct significance and practical implications within their respective fields. Ms Ohara managed to look at two questions in a well-argued manner: the protection of children and the use of digital technology. Furthermore, the topic could not be more pressing or timely’ explains Dr Pégorier.

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