The Notre Dame Law School Global Human Rights Clinic had the privilege of hosting two prominent Haitian human rights advocates, Mr. Pierre Esperance and Ms. Rosy Auguste, for an engaging and inspiring visit, marked by stimulating discussions and exchanges by our students. As clients of the Global Human Rights Clinic (GHRC), Mr. Esperance and Ms. Auguste met with faculty members and students to deliberate on pending human rights cases referred to the clinic. They also delivered a powerful lecture to our students enrolled in the international human rights law course, imparting firsthand insights into the daily struggles and triumphs of a human rights advocate in a developing country like Haiti.

They underscored the fragile and challenging environment working in Haiti, a country that is marked by pervasive violence, political instability, and entrenched impunity. Yet, despite these obstacles, Mr. Esperance and Ms. Auguste continue their courageous work, providing legal assistance advocating for victims, and speaking out against human rights violations.

Throughout their presentation, Mr. Esperance and Ms. Auguste shared their daily work complexities with students, which include investigating and documenting egregious human rights abuses, providing legal representation to victims in various judicial proceedings, and collaborating with international organizations to advocate for accountability and justice for the victims. Meanwhile, they must also navigate and mitigate personal safety risks while persevering in their advocacy efforts, often in the face of adversity.

The Notre Dame Law School Global Human Rights Clinic is deeply honored to express its unwavering support for courageous human rights defenders like Mr. Pierre Esperance and Ms. Rosy Auguste, who continue to fight for justice despite overwhelming challenges.

We look forward to welcoming them back to Notre Dame Law School in the fall. Their return will provide a unique opportunity for our student body and faculty members to engage with them on the progress of their human rights cases and gain valuable insights into the evolving human rights landscape in Haiti.

Learn more about the Notre Dame Law School Global Human Rights Clinic at https://ndlsglobalhumanrights.nd.edu/.

Originally published by Notre Dame Law School at ndlsglobalhumanrights.nd.edu on March 04, 2025.