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Something else

Human Rights Clinic Research Project

International Accountability for Incommunicado Detention in China

Principal Investigator

Dr Marina Lostal

In partnership with International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), will examine the status and use of Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location (RSDL) in China under international law. RSDL is a form of incommunicado detention that has been widely condemned as a form of enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture.

The research will focus on determining whether the use of RSDL meets the threshold for crimes against humanity and the legal avenues for international accountability.

Project Description

About International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)

The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is an international non-governmental organisation that works to promote and protect human rights by supporting human rights defenders and strengthening human rights standards and systems. ISHR collaborates with UN mechanisms, regional human rights bodies, and civil society organisations to advocate for stronger protections for human rights defenders.

Who can apply?

The module-based projects are open to postgraduate students on the Human Rights Master’s programme (LLM/MA).

If you are selected to work on a module-based project then you will be automatically enrolled on the Human Rights Centre Clinic module (course code: HU902). When applying for a multi-year project, you do not need to take HU902, but can opt to do so.

When can I apply?

Applications for 2025-26 will open on 2 October 2025, after the Introduction to the Human Rights Centre Clinic session.

Applications to join all Clinic projects in 2025-26 will open on 2 October 2025. Please submit your application by Monday 6 October at 5pm
to humanrightscentreclinic@essex.ac.uk. Please send your application documents in PDF format with the file name [SURNAME]_[First name]_HRCC application.

How to apply

Supervisor

Dr Marina Lostal

Senior Lecturer

Essex Law School, University of Essex