Maria Filomena Singh is a presiding judge in the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, Metropolitan Manila, the Philippines. She is also a professor of law (and former student) at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law and at the Philippine Judicial Academy (the Philippines’ judicial training institute) in Manila. Much of Singh’s work is in the field of law and human rights, with particular focus on more efficient court management, alternative dispute resolution, and programs which could help unclog the local courts’ heavy dockets,like the small claims court project. During her Humphrey year, she hopes to gain new knowledge and skills that will help her advocate for a more efficient court and case management system, and a more independent judiciary to help perpetuate better Philippine internal and international stability.

Abudureheman Kadeer is an attorney in the Xinjiang Tong Yuan Law Firm, a postsecondary teacher at the Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics, and a PhD student in international economic law at the Renmin University of China. In addition, he was a lawyer and management officer for the Xinjiang Lawyers Association. He has safeguarded clients’ rights in litigation, mediation, and arbitration; provided those who need help with legal aid; handled the concerns regarding safeguarding lawyers’ legitimate rights and the discipline of lawyers; participated in various research programs; and taught undergraduate students in instructive juristic theory, salutary legal practice, and the logos of rule of law. His major area of interest is international economic law, and he aspires to return to China and continue helping the government and people develop intrinsic respect for the law.

Brigitte Mensah currently works as a practicing lawyer in the appeal court of justice in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where she defends the rights of people with disabilities. Mensah holds a bachelor’s degree in law, a license in law, a master’s in law, and an Aptitude Certification for Professional Lawyers from the Concody University in Abidjan. Her primary interest lies in defending the rights of people with disabilities, and she works to influence the policies that help people with disabilities improve their socioeconomic situation and help families educate members with disabilities. As a Humphrey Fellow, Mensah hopes to work with NGOs dedicated to advocating respect for the rights of people with disabilities. Upon her return to the Côte d’Ivoire she will continue working in this field and begin working with local NGOs to share what she has learned so that they may strengthen the recognition of the rights of people with disabilities.

Tania Marisca Tait is a control prosecutor in the Office of the Prosecutor General in Swakopmund, Namibia. She has worked and contributed to its development since her graduation from the University of Namibia, where she obtained her degree in law. Tait’s primary interest lies in the area of law and human rights specifically relating to juveniles and victims of abuse. During her year as a Humphrey Fellow, Tait plans to combine her academic study and internship experience to learn more about the U.S. judicial, rehabilitation, and counseling processes regarding juveniles and victims of abuse. She hopes to return to Namibia, where she can help repair the shortcomings of the Namibian judicial system, improve Namibia’s fight against crime and injustice, and strengthen her community’s confidence in its criminal justice system.

Alexandre Sankievicz is a legislative counsel of the Criminal and Civil Law Division of the Legislative Counsel Office–Chamber of Deputies in Brazil. He is responsible for advising membersof the parliament on the draft of bills, committee reports, and public policies. He also aids members in legislative inquiry commissions created to investigate human rights violations. Sankievicz holds two degrees from the Instituto Brasiliense de Direito Público, one in constitutional law, the second in public and criminal law. While a Humphrey Fellow, Sankievicz hopes to gain knowledge about justice administration at the federal, state, and local levels as well as the role of human rights organizations in facilitating justice. He will then transfer his new knowledge to his work in drafting bills and overseeing public policies in Brazil.

Elena Vladimirova Sapozhnikova is currently the head of the English Language Section of
the Department of Foreign Languages at the Ural State Law Academy in Yekaterinburg, Russia. She has a wealth of experience teaching English in several different settings, which include the Ural Forest Engineering Academy and at the Ural State Law Academy (formerly the Sverdlovsk Institute of Law), all in Yekaterinburg. As a Humphrey Fellow, she hopes that her coursework will include classes in legal communication skills and that she will have the opportunity to attend a moot court and live court proceeding. She also hopes to see how legal professionals apply their skills working in a law school clinic and a law firm, and how law school faculty approach cross-cultural issues facing international students.

Agustin Alberto Flah is a legislative counsel of the Criminal and Civil Law Division of the Legislative Counsel Office–Chamber of Deputies in Brazil. He is responsible for advising membersof the parliament on the draft of bills, committee reports, and public policies. He also aids members in legislative inquiry commissions created to investigate human rights violations. Sankievicz holds two degrees from the Instituto Brasiliense de Direito Público, one in constitutional law, the second in public and criminal law. While a Humphrey Fellow, Sankievicz hopes to gain knowledge about justice administration at the federal, state, and local levels as well as the role of human rights organizations in facilitating justice. He will then transfer his new knowledge to his work in drafting bills and overseeing public policies in Brazil.

Phetdala Phoumalavong has diverse experience working as an English teacher, the secretary to the president, and most recently as an assistant judge in the People’s Supreme Court in Vientiane, Lao PDR. He also holds degrees in administrative law and French law from the Faculty of Law and Administration in Vientiane, Lao PDR. His current research interests lie in learning the best practices for dealing with delayed cases, which have been clogging the Lao judiciary system for some time. While a Humphrey Fellow, he hopes to study the techniques of case proceedings through academic coursework and professional experience in the United States and then apply his new knowledge and skills to the development of the civil chamber of the People’s Supreme Court in Lao PDR.

Ahmet Imirzalioglu currently serves as a judge in the Supreme Administrative Court in Ankara, Turkey. Prior to serving in the Supreme Administrative Court, he served in the International Law Department of the Turkish Ministry of Justice and in local tax courts. Imirzalioglu attended the law school at Ankara University, and then continued his education at the PublicAdministration Institute for Turkey and earned a master’s degree in justice administration. His primary interest lies in judicial administration reform, the role such reform plays in securing human rights, and what this could mean for Turkey’s progress towards alignment with the European Union. Throughout his time in Washington, D.C., Imirzalioglu hopes to increase his knowledge of procedural and human rights law through academic study and professional experience, which he could take back to Turkey and apply to the Turkish Supreme Court as his country continues negotiating for EU status.

Suzana Ramos has diverse experience working as an English teacher, the secretary to the president, and most recently as an assistant judge in the People’s Supreme Court in Vientiane, Lao PDR. He also holds degrees in administrative law and French law from the Faculty of Law and Administration in Vientiane, Lao PDR. His current research interests lie in learning the best practices for dealing with delayed cases, which have been clogging the Lao judiciary system for some time. While a Humphrey Fellow, he hopes to study the techniques of case proceedings through academic coursework and professional experience in the United States and then apply his new knowledge and skills to the development of the civil chamber of the People’s Supreme Court in Lao PDR.