In April 2024, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights met for a landmark public hearing in Barbados, the first of its kind addressing the obligations of states to respond to the climate emergency specifically within a framework of human rights law. Amidst a host of prominent experts from around the world filling three jam-packed days of oral arguments, a team of students from Cornell Law School was in attendance to present their own brief.
Their journey to Barbados began a year earlier, when Ayesha Umana Dajud, J.S.D. ’25, learned of an open call for briefs for the historic hearing. Originally from Colombia, Umana Dajud has been involved in international human rights and social justice work for years. She believed it was important to participate.
She brought the idea to Muna Ndulo, director of the Berger International Legal Studies Program, who agreed to act as an advisor, and they began recruiting a team, which came to include J.S.D. candidate Maria Alejandra Anaya- Torres ’25; J.D. students Erin Elliott ’24, Leo Ray ’25, and Jason Bae ’25; and professors Jocelyn Hackett and Allison Chatrchyan.
“I was motivated to participate by the importance of environmental and human rights issues—we are dealing with a challenge that is threatening the existence of humankind and the world, and each of us has a role to play in that struggle,” says Ndulo. “This was a great opportunity to expose our students to international litigation, so they can acquire the skills to address these issues.”
The student team divided their work into six sections while drafting a brief. Umana Dajud focused on states’ obligations to children and future generations, drawing from her experience with a 2018 Colombian Supreme Court case on deforestation. She emphasized the importance of younger generations in advocating for change.
Elliott ’24, who recruited two other J.D. participants, examined climate education, “just transition” policies, and minimizing climate-related damages. She researched other submissions to provide unique insights. Elliott highlighted the importance of environmental education in driving societal progress toward clean energy, emphasizing that public awareness of environmental risks is crucial for meaningful action.
The brief was completed in December 2023 after nine months of work. The team then prepared for the hearing in Barbados, where Anaya- Torres and Dajud presented their arguments. They focused on three topics: children’s rights to a healthy environment, protecting women environmental defenders, and implementing climate adaptation measures.
“I learned that it is much more powerful, when presenting before the court within a limited timeframe, to focus on a few of your more daring or contentious arguments,” says Elliott.
“It was a great experience,” said Dajud, “because it allowed young voices to be heard by one of the most important international human rights tribunals. We could sit together with famous experts on the topic and engage in the discussion as peers.”
Dajud plans to continue her work in human rights after earning her J.S.D., focusing on international litigation or academia. Elliott, now an associate attorney at Dechert in New York, hopes to continue her human rights work pro bono.
