Personal Statement:Law and Human Rights

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Law and Human Rights Personal Statement

In his 1989 Nobel speech, the Dalai Lama stated: "Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost loved ones in floods caused by senseless deforestation of a neighboring country. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free." (Dalai Lama, December 11, 1989).

The Dalai Lama’s speech draws upon articles one and two of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights which state that ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights… without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status’ (United Nations General Assembly, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 10 December 1948).

I will be graduating from the University of Ottawa (Canada) this year with an Honours B.A. specialization in history. I have always had a fascination with historical events and figures, the world and its people, and have sought to gain a deeper insight into how past events so influence and shape our future.

During my undergraduate studies I have found myself increasingly drawn to the study of law and human rights. I have been fortunate to study with professors who have been or are deeply involved with organizations such as the United Nations. Their influence has only deepened my resolve to continue my studies in this field. My research on topics such as the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide and the Srebrenica Massacre has reinforced my opinion that human rights are inalienable and worth fighting for.

During my third year of university, I realized a long-held aspiration to study abroad after winning two exchange placements with the Rhone-Alps program and a bilateral agreement with my university. I attended Keele University in England and Lyon II in France. Although stepping out of one’s comfort zone can be a challenge, I found the opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions with international students both invaluable and thought provoking. I had hoped that my French immersion would result in at least complete oral fluency and I plan to continue with my French language studies since I am striving for a profession of international scope.

In a world so charged with conflict and human suffering there exists the need for people to stand in solidarity and fight for the rights of individuals who would otherwise not have a voice. Billions of people lack the basic fundamental rights to life, liberty and security set out in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I feel there is no better way for me to affect change than through the law. Human rights law influences government policymaking and provides a cornerstone for freedom and equality.

There is some sense of irony as I draft this letter - the day preceding the inauguration of President Barack Obama. The road to this day has been long and arduous. But to the nay-sayers of the past, I believe all things are possible with determination, hope, and perseverance. My paternal great grandparents were African slaves who served in the British colony of Jamaica. My grandparents lived through the Great Depression, World War II, and ongoing racial hatred and discrimination. My parents glimpsed the hope and promise of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King, participating in civil rights demonstrations, and then feeling their world torn apart when all three men were assassinated. Finally, in this fourth generation I am witness to the culmination of long held beliefs that all people are indeed equal. Yet this still remains but a baby step in the giant strides still required in attaining true equality. Mr. Obama has inspired the world with a renewed sense of hope, justice and equality. It is with this sense of global brotherhood and hope that I aspire to practise Human Rights Law.

Thank you for considering my application to study at your institution.

Universities Applied to:

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Grades Achieved:

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