Thomas Buergenthal

Professor Buergenthal "is the Lobingier Professor of International and Comparative Law at The George Washington University Law School and the Presiding Director of its International Rule of Law Center. He is also the U.S. national member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the first American to serve on that body. Prior to coming to GW, Professor Buergenthal held such prestigious academic positions, among others, as Dean of the American University Law School, and Director, Human Rights Program, Carter Center of Emory University. In addition to his academic career, Professor Buergenthal served 12 years as judge and a term as President of the Costa Rica-based Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In 1992-93, Professor Buergenthal served on the three-member UN Truth Commission for El Salvador, which investigated the large-scale violations of human rights committed in that country during its 12-year civil war." 

"Judge, Vice-President, President, Inter-American Court of Human Rights (1979-1991); Judge, Vice-President, President, Administrative Tribunal, Inter-American Development Bank (1989-1994); Member, United Nations Human Rights Committee (1995-1999); Member, United Nations Truth Commission for El Salvador (1992-1993); Member, Panels of Conciliators and of Arbitrators, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, World Bank (since 1997); Vice-Chairman, Claims Resolution Tribunal for Dormant Accounts in Switzerland (1999-2000).

"Rapporteur, Study Panel on International Human Rights Law and its Implementation, American Society of International Law (1970-1975); Member, Board of Directors, International Institute of Human Rights (René Cassin Foundation), Strasbourg, France (1970-1989); Member, Executive Council, American Society of International Law (1977-1980; 1986-1989); Vice-President, American Society of International Law (1980-1982); Honorary Vice-President (1994-1999); Advisory Committee (1980-1986), American Law Institute, Restatement (Third) on the Foreign Relations Law of the United States; Associate Reporter (1978-1980); Chairman, Human Rights Committee, International Law and Practice Section, American Bar Association (1981-1982; 1991-1992); Member, Administrative Council, Blaustein Institute of Human Rights (1996-2000); Member, Kuratorium and Scientific Council, Max Planck Institute for Public International Law, Heidelberg, Germany (since 1984); Founder and President, Inter-American Institute of Human Rights (1980-1992), Honorary President (since 1992); Member, Board of Directors, F. M. van Asbeck Centre for Human Rights Studies, University of Leiden, Netherlands (since 1991); Member, Advisory Board, Brazilian Institute of Human Rights (since 1997); Member, Standing Committee on World Order Under Law, American Bar Association (1997-1999); Vice-Chairman, Academic Council, Institute of Transnational Arbitration (since 1998).

"Member of the American Bar Association, American Society of International Law, American Law Institute, Council on Foreign Relations, German Society of International Law." 


 * Honorary President, American Society of International Law
 * Editorial Review Board, Human Rights Quarterly