Several of the past and present Peace Fellows keep blogs. We will put links to any that we know about, on Fellows' individual web pages. Please let us know of any we have missed. Thank you.
ANA LAURA ZAVALA GUILLEN
ARGENTINA
Sponsored by : Rotary Club Jean Thomson- District N° 4915.
Language proficiency: English and Spanish.
Academic Experience: Master in Fundamental Rights: Human Rights Institute "Bartolomé de las Casas", University Carlos III of Madrid, Spain. Recipient Fellowship awarded by the Fundación Carolina. Candidate MA in Human Rights: Human Rights Institute, National University of La Plata, Argentina. Recipient Fellowship awarded by the Canadian International Development Agency and the Network for Education and Research in Human Rights Interamerican Institute of Human Rights. Barrister and Solicitor: National University of La Plata, Argentina.
Field Experience: I have always pursued ensuring victims have access to justice.
During my first year of studies for a law degree, I became involved as a volunteer in a local group of Amnesty International Argentina. Since then, my work in this international movement has increasingly grown, as I progressed from positions of local level responsibility to supranational representation.
In 2003, I travelled to Guatemala and advocated victims who had survived the genocide committed by the military forces. I was focused on giving assistance to indigenous women victims of sexual violence. Besides, I participated in several criminal investigations, for example, the homicide of Bishop Gerardi, peace leader, who was murdered after publishing the report which documents human rights violations.
During my postgraduate studies in Madrid, I litigated at the National Court of Madrid in criminal cases based on the universal jurisdiction. Besides, I visited the Sahrawi refugee camps located in Algeria, gathering testimonies to support the criminal investigation related to the commission of international crimes during the last armed conflict in this area.
Back in my country, I worked for the General Prosecutor Office taking part in the prosecution of individuals for the commission of crimes against humanity during the last Argentinian dictatorship, focusing on the sexual violence against women prisoners in the concentration camps. Furthermore, I established guidelines related to comprehensive care of victims, witnesses and relatives.
Areas of interest : Human Rights; Transitional Justice; Sustainable development; Peace building; psychosocial care programs for victims of armed conflicts; Prevention of genocide and mass atrocities.