A World of Possibilities: An Internship with the UN Illuminates New Ways to Make a Difference
Even in a time of human rights backlash, Master of Human Rights student Aidan Thomason (MHR ‘26) was able to find affirmation and inspiration as an intern with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Master of Human Rights program has a relationship with the OHCHR that allows them to send one student per year to intern over the summer. During her three months in Geneva last summer, Thomason engaged with human rights advocates from all over the world. She met with OHCHR country teams about addressing transnational repression, and was even in the room when the Iranian prime minister gave a speech during their war with Israel over the summer. These experiences and conversations expanded her perspective of what’s possible as a human rights advocate.
The Work of OHCHR and the Civic Space Team
The OHCHR has the mandate to uphold human rights as they are defined by the UN, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all of the associated human rights treaties. Their job is to monitor, report, and provide assistance to states as they try to uphold human rights. The OHCHR also hosts thematic teams that are established to address specific human rights issues, based on the recent resolutions from the Human Rights Council. One of the thematic teams is the civic space team, where Thomason interned.
Prior to joining the MHR Program, Thomason focused on human rights education, specifically education aimed at countering antisemitism and racial discrimination. In her classes for the MHR program, she studied migration and took an International Human Rights Law course, which connected well to her internship at the OHCHR. She supported the civic space team, working to protect people’s right to free expression and creating environments that enable people to exercise their rights. “It enables everything else that we’re doing. If activists can’t push for human rights, then we won’t have them,” she emphasized. As she gained more experience working in this issue area, Thomason learned just how important it is to focus on civic space, especially right now.
Thomason focused on two projects over the summer: She conducted research on transnational repression, and she collaborated on a project tracking government restriction of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In documenting these cases, she found that there has been a large spike in the last 15 years of governments passing anti-NGO legislation.
Witnessing Change in Action
During her time with the OHCHR, Thomason had many memorable experiences, but one day stood out particularly. She was helping with a launch event for an OHCHR brief on transnational oppression during a session of the Human Rights Council– the main intergovernmental body within the United Nations responsible for addressing human rights violations and country situations. She was able to sit in the row of people running the panel, including a member of the Human Rights Committee. It was inspiring and intriguing to observe leaders engaging in discussion and problem-solving from that position. “That was the coolest thing I think I did all summer,” said Thomason. She was especially interested to assist with this briefing, because transnational oppression is a relatively new topic that is gaining more attention.
Thomason also met with civil society organizations, each working on documenting harm happening to activists in their countries. She noticed that despite recent challenges, including funding cuts, people continue to look to the UN for assistance and support. She realized the importance of amplifying the voices and brave work of these human rights defenders. “There are people out there meeting the moment, even though it’s scary and hard,” said Thomason. These interactions affirmed her commitment to support and empower people who are doing work on the ground, especially those who are often facing a lot of risk.
Inspired for the Next Chapter
Thomason returns from this experience with a sense of hope, knowing that there are people around the world who are working to support human rights and fight for the global future. “I realized what a dire state the world of human rights is in right now,” Thomason said. “But [my experience] also really solidified my commitment to doing something about it.” She was reminded that meaningful progress happens collectively and incrementally by dedicated, innovative people. Some people at the UN cannot go back to their home countries because of their work as human rights activists for the OHCHR. “I think that’s a testament to how much our fellow humans are trying to make this world better,” said Thomason. It is clear to her that there are advocates around the world, including at the UN, who will not give up on defending human rights, even in the face of great challenges.
After graduation, Thomason would love to work at the OHCHR, or at another organization where she can continue to engage with international human rights. She is also inspired to tackle human rights issues in new ways and explore more strategies for defending human rights, including careers with the UN. Her experience exposed her to new avenues for careers and sparked her interest in different human rights topics, including migrants’ rights to privacy. Aidan is driven to take action, and her experience at the OHCHR equips her to be an impactful, steadfast human rights defender, wherever her path may lead.
