Oracle Online

Human rights lawyer visits

International human rights lawyer Barbara Frey spoke in the Moot Court room Jan. 31. Frey covered three different international treaties and explained how they represented the exceptionalism displayed by the United States throughout the last 15 years. The treaties included the mine ban treaty, the Roam statute, and the convention against torture.
Through these treaties Frey displayed her five conclusions. First, the United States’ exceptionalism policy is not new to the Bush Administration, and it is a phenomenon that has been present since the United States emerged as a super power after the Cold War. Second, this policy has a large impact on international human rights since other countries use the policy to justify their own breaking of the treaties.

Third, the United States is often the one who starts or is immediately involved with the issues. However, once the time comes to pass laws the government gets “political cold feet,” Frey said. Fourth, the effect of this policy is long term and our exceptionalism has only come back to haunt the United States.

Frey’s final conclusion stated lawyers, volunteering through independent organizations, have made a large impact on passing international human rights legislation.

After her presentation Frey answered questions from the many students who attended and gave advice on how to become involved in the international scene. Her advice included becoming involved with organizations and offering them legal services, since many people who attended were law students.

Frey said knowing a foreign language fluently and possessing a willingness to travel will also help law students who are interested in international human rights. She also mentioned that working on international cases with and experienced lawyer before a student completes law school can build expertise.

Piano e-competition in Sundin

Starting this Friday, 68 pianists from around the world will compete for the chance to move on to the final round of the Piano-E-Competition. Hamline will be hosting the preliminary screening round this weekend, and starting July 1, will also host the final round of the competition for the third time this year.

Competitors have traveled to five major cities worldwide to record 25-minute auditions. Based on these auditions, an international jury of five judges, will narrow the competition to 24 competitors who will then compete for a grand prize of $25,000, a debut recital at a major concert hall in New York, engagements with several prestigious orchestras across the country, and more. The screening will be held in Sundin Hall and is open to the public and free of charge.