Marcela Velarde Email & Phone Number

Paris, Fr

Ville De Paris, Île-De-France, France

The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands

London, England, United Kingdom

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Conducted research, gathered supporting documentation, and drafted legal brief responding to Request for Evidence on a T-Visa application for survivor of human trafficking and domestic violence.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Conducted research and drafted policy report on asylum procedures, appeals processes, refugee rights, and practical barriers to asylum in Mexico and Guatemala. Developed a timeline of immigration and refugee policies in the United States, particularly during the Trump and Obama administrations, and their consequences for migrants and refugees from Central America and Mexico. Drafted memos on provisional measures ordered by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the case of Vélez Loor v… Show more Conducted research and drafted policy report on asylum procedures, appeals processes, refugee rights, and practical barriers to asylum in Mexico and Guatemala. Developed a timeline of immigration and refugee policies in the United States, particularly during the Trump and Obama administrations, and their consequences for migrants and refugees from Central America and Mexico. Drafted memos on provisional measures ordered by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the case of Vélez Loor v. Panama regarding detained persons amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Show less

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Completed Refugee Status Determination (RSD) assessments for persons of concern in the Caribbean region through legal analysis and extensive research to appropriately identify individuals eligible for refugee status. Completed UNHCR's official RSD training course and conducted research on immigration and asylum laws and procedures to inform the adjudication process for asylum cases. Drafted Universal Periodic Review submissions on behalf of UNHCR to monitor the human rights records of UN Member… Show more Completed Refugee Status Determination (RSD) assessments for persons of concern in the Caribbean region through legal analysis and extensive research to appropriately identify individuals eligible for refugee status. Completed UNHCR's official RSD training course and conducted research on immigration and asylum laws and procedures to inform the adjudication process for asylum cases. Drafted Universal Periodic Review submissions on behalf of UNHCR to monitor the human rights records of UN Member States within the Caribbean region and to strengthen protective legislation for persons of concern. Wrote legal memos on various international law and UNHCR-specific topics. Assisted in RSD interviews as an interpreter for persons of concerns seeking refugee status. Show less

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Researching case law and conducting client interviews to complete asylum applications and preparing to represent a client at a hearing at Baltimore Immigration Court; Conducting research to prepare a policy report with the Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights on the situation of Afro-descendant trans persons in certain Latin American countries.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Researched human rights issues in the Americas and applicable international and regional laws; Published articles in Human Rights Brief website.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Our Mission Statement: "A group of student advocates committed to promoting human rights and humanitarian law through education, conversation, and activism - serving as a bridge between students and the human rights community."

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Compiled updates for website with significant events and landmark decisions made in international courts and tribunals; Monitored the International Criminal Court for the Situation in Uganda, Afghanistan, and Colombia.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

The Public International Law & Policy Group, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, is a global pro bono law firm providing free legal assistance to states and governments involved in peace negotiations, drafting post-conflict constitutions, and prosecuting war criminals. To facilitate the utilization of this legal assistance, PILPG also provides policy formulation advice and training on matters related to conflict resolution.

Kyangwali Settlement, Uganda

Refugee Law Project provides free legal services to forced migrant and refugee populations in Uganda. As a Legal Intern at RLP in the Access to Justice Programme, I provided legal services to refugees in a variety of areas of the law, from criminal representation to prison bailment to mediation services and refugee status determination. I worked directly with clients to mediate civil disputes between refugees through informal justice institutions including the Refugee Welfare Council II at… Show more Refugee Law Project provides free legal services to forced migrant and refugee populations in Uganda. As a Legal Intern at RLP in the Access to Justice Programme, I provided legal services to refugees in a variety of areas of the law, from criminal representation to prison bailment to mediation services and refugee status determination. I worked directly with clients to mediate civil disputes between refugees through informal justice institutions including the Refugee Welfare Council II at Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, applying both Ugandan law and international human rights standards. Further, I documented instances of torture, sexual and gender based violence, trafficking, forced marriage, and other human rights abuses. Additionally, I organized capacity-building workshops with partner organizations to train community leaders, community paralegals, Refugee Welfare Councils, police, prison officers, and judicial officers on topics of refugee rights including human rights and refugee rights, interpretation standards, criminal defense, prevention of sexual and gender based violence, bail, right to return, and land rights. Show less

Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico

Drafted notary powers and documents for law firm, such as transfers of title deeds, donations, and inheritance of real estate; Assisted attorneys/notaries in the appointment of guardians for minors expecting to study in the United States from elementary school through high school; Translated government documents from Spanish to English to be notarized.

Austin, Texas, United States

Conducted research for domestic violence cases in Travis County and assisted law students with research reports in English, Spanish, and French for international cases in Argentina; Assisted Professor Ariel E. Dulitzky and the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances in gathering and organizing information for cases being investigated by the group; Created binders for UN Working Group with information of how to proceed in cases of such disappearances.

New York, New York, United States

Assisted the Consul for Legal Affairs Juan Carlos Rodriguez Muñoz in drafting and administering notary powers.

Master I/Master Ii, Droit Des Relations Internationales Et L'Union Européenne

Activities and Societies: Day of Crisis Competition (April 2021)

Doctor Of Law - Jd, International Human Rights Law

Activities and Societies: Human Rights Reading Group at the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Latino/a Law Student Association.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Double Major In International Relations & Global Studies And Government

Activities and Societies: Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-Law Fraternity), Executive Vice President and Community Service Officer for Latin Economics.

Study Abroad, International Relations & Global Studies

Enrolled in a study abroad exchange program focusing on intensive International Security studies in both English and French. Courses.

Study Abroad, Government And Latin American Studies

Conducted research in Bluefields, Nicaragua to explore forms of racial and gender-based discrimination that affect black Creole women.