The CIDDHU

Welcome to the web site of the International Clinic for the Defence of Human Rights of UQAM (CIDDHU).

The International Clinic for the Defence of Human Rights has been a pillar in the field of clinical teaching regarding the promotion and the protection of human rights, both on the international and national level for more than 10 years.

Clinic workshops give students the opportunity to be directly involved in practical human rights cases while also collaborating with more than 60 partner organizations worldwide. As of 2018, more than 400 students have been trained in the defense of human rights thanks for their participation in the CIDDHU.

Founded in 2005 by Bernard Duhaime and Carole Hilling, the CIDDHU is now under the direction of professor Mirja Trilsch. In 2017-2018, the Clinic was managed by the interim director and substitute professor Elise Hansbury. The CIDDHU was the first International clinic for the defense of human rights in the francophone community. Innovative and strong from its years of experience, the CIDDHU has served as an example, and has participated in the creation of other of international law clinics in Québec and worldwide.

Moreover, since its creation, the CIDDHU has developed a strong expertise in litigation and international advocacy in each aspect of human rights whether it be for the rights of migrants, for women’s rights, for the fight against sexual violence, for indigenous people’s rights, for the protection of natural resources, etc.

It is with a great pleasure that we invite you to navigate on our new web platform and to discover the CIDDHU, its activities and its various accomplishments.

In october 2017, the CIDDHU became member of the Institut d’études internationales de Montréal (IEIM).