Strathclyde Mooting Team takes part in Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Competition
Esra Alfadil and Aidan Fisher were successful in the preliminary rounds of the 16th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition and were one of 24 teams invited to partake in the qualifying rounds at the Palais de Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The team gave submissions on four distinct areas of international human rights law, across multiple rounds, before a panel of human rights academics, advocates, and practitioners.
In a challenging competition, the team represented Strathclyde as the only Scottish institution and only one of two institutions from the UK to qualify. Out of a total of 92 teams participating across all rounds, with 34 countries and 90 institutions represented, the team placed joint 10th with Aidan Fisher being awarded a prize for best individual oralist and Esra Alfadil placing joint 8th for the best individual oralist of the same category in the preliminary round. This was both students' first time participating in an external moot.
'It’s been a delight across this competition to meet other likeminded students from across the globe. I am overjoyed to have partaken in this experience with what I hope is the future generation of human rights advocates. I know that my aspirations have certainly been captured by the same refrain echoed throughout; that we should be agents for change. In the words of Deputy Commissioner Nada Al-Nashif, we must become ‘the torchbearers of hope’ if we endeavour to fight the good fight.' – Aidan Fisher
The team also had the opportunity to attend the 5th Annual Nelson Mandela Human Rights lecture which provided an interesting night for discussion and debate on the future of gender parity and affirmative action in international human rights law. The lecture’s keynote speech was delivered by Prof. Patrícia Galvão Teles, member of the International Law Commission, with closing remarks from Ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi.
'Participating in the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition and reaching the final rounds at the UN was a transformative experience. It has broadened my horizon on the fact that advocating for human rights bridges divides, amplifies the voiceless, and upholds the inherent dignity of all people. It is a testament to our shared humanity and a commitment to a just and equitable world.’ – Esra Alfadil
Dr Elaine Webster, who coached the team, said:
'Thank you to everyone who supported Esra and Aidan, including the sponsors of the trip – the University, the Law School, the Alumni Fund, the Faculty of Advocates, and Miller Hill Samuel Brown. Esra and Aidan have done themselves, the Mooting Society, and their supporters proud! They entered the competition on their own initiative, worked incredibly hard, and took part in a global competition of an exceptionally high standard. It was a truly wonderful learning experience.'
We thank the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria for organising this important event for our students, in conjunction with the Global Campus of Human Rights, the Academy of Human Rights & Humanitarian Law at Washington College of Law, as well as the United Nations Human Rights Council and United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
