Rehearsal
As previously mentioned, one of the activities currently taking place in the Instituto de Derechos Humanos is a mock trial in the model of the Inter-American Human Rights Court, open to any student currently studying law here at the National University of La Plata.
I participated in the mini-course which went over all the details of the functioning of the Inter-American Human Rights Court system. The participates then divided into teams of two people each, were given a made up case to read, and were assigned either the side of the State being accused of the Human Rights violation or the Commission for Human Rights who is bringing the accusation. The eventual goal is for the teams to face each other in a mock trial situation and attempt to defend either the victim or the state. While it is technically a mock trial, the intension is to imitate as closely as possible the real pressure and environment of the court. These teams will carry out the trial and the best will then continue on against the winners of similar competitions taking place in other Universities across the country. The winning team gets a full scholarship to the Human Rights masters program.
Yesterday each of the teams had their first rehearsal, to practice their speaking, manor and knowledge in front of a panel. The panel was composed of professors from the masters program and lawyers who work in the office. The idea was to make the participants uncomfortable, to interrupt them, to question their knowledge and to in general throw them off. The interns were all invited to come and watch the rehearsals to assist in this environment of unease. Then afterwards in a relaxed environment, the panel gave them constructive criticism and tips for how to improve, and what to study more of. It was tough to watch sometimes. Some of the teams were really bad, and unprepared. Others got heated and argued with the “judges”, while others just got really nervous and stuttered a lot.
I know that I couldn’t do it. That, however, is why I am not training to be a lawyer and these students are. These simulations are good practice for real trials and tribunals were eventually one day many of these students will have to be.
my friend really liked doing the mock trials during school- of course she’d be mega stressed about it but the actual day of it she found both challenging, overwhelming,a nd exhilarating at the same time. altho she also faced the challenge of not knowing if the interpreter was doing a good job voicing for her.