Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and Legal Profession (ACIJLP ) (Cairo, Egypt)

My internship experience at the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and Legal Profession (ACIJLP) has been an inspirational learning experience. My work here mainly consists of legal research and writing. For example, in June the International Criminal Court asked NGOs all over the world for their opinion on Article 53 of the Rome Statute, and I drafted ACIJLP's response. Through the ACIJLP, I have also been doing legal research for the Coalition for an Effective African Court on Human and People's Rights, which is trying to establish a human rights court that will enforce the rights guaranteed to people in the African Charter on Human and People's Rights.

During July, my colleagues and I have been working on a proposal to The Ford Foundation for funding to enable the ACIJLP to host a conference in Darfur educating government officials, members of the legal profession, NGOs and the general public about the International Criminal Court and its recently launched investigation into crimes against humanity in Darfur. We are currently looking for Sudanese NGOs with whom to forge partnerships to ensure that this conference will be sensitive and responsive to the needs of Darfurians.

I have also helped the Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women (ADEW) in establishing the first abused women's shelter in Egypt. My work with them has consisted of reviewing all of their intake forms for clients and providing commentary and feedback. I have also assisted the women's rights group V-Day in the launch of its Cairo branch. Perhaps the most memorable experience I have had in Cairo is listening to the NGO roundtable discussion organized by V-Day where Egyptian NGOs described their work and the challenges they face in achieving their goals. Their perseverance was truly inspiring.

I recently attended a conference organized by the ACIJLP where judges and lawyers commented on the effectiveness of judicial supervision of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in Egypt. I was interested in their discussion of the potential for a free and fair election in September.