Nationality
Chile
Year of election
2019
Year of titular member
2023

Function(s)

  • R. Geraldson Scholar for International and Humanitarian Law
  • Member, International Law Commission

Area(s) of Expertise

  • International/Comparative Law
  • International Human Rights/Humanitarian Law
  • International Organizations

Biography

Claudio Grossman is Professor of Law, Dean Emeritus, and the Raymond Geraldson Scholar for International and Humanitarian Law at American University Washington College of Law. He was appointed Dean Emeritus by American University’s (AU) Board of Trustees in recognition of over two decades of commitment, dedication and distinction. Throughout his academic career, Professor Grossman has contributed to promoting the rule of law, human rights and legal education in both international and domestic organizations.

Professor Grossman was elected to the International Law Commission in November 2016 for a five-year term, and previously served as member (2003-2015) and chairperson (four terms, from 2008-2015) of the United Nations Committee against Torture. On May 20, 2013, Professor Grossman was elected chair of the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies for a one-year term.

Grossman was also a member from ( 1994-2001) and twice Chair of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). Grossman was the IACHR’s first Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women (1996-2000), as well as its Special Rapporteur on the Rights oflndigenous Populations (2000-2001) and its Observer of the AMIA Trial (2001-2005). He presided or participated over crucial cases involving the transition to democracy and expansion of the rule of law in the Western hemisphere, including freedom of expression, amnesty laws, separation of powers, and vulnerable groups.

Grossman’s extensive litigation experience includes litigation before the International Court of Justice. He served as the Agent of Chile in a case brought by Bolivia (2013-2018) concerning the obligation to negotiate sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. Previously, he was an Advocate representing Chile in a case brought by Peru (2008-2014) concerning maritime delimitation.

On behalf of international and non-governmental organizations, Grossman has also chaired or articipated in missions to observe elections in Nepal, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Romania, Surinam, and the Middle East.

Grossman has written extensively on human rights, international organizations, and legal obligations. For more information about Grossman’s publications and selected works, please see https://www.wcl.american.edu/community/faculty/profile/grossman/publications .

Selected publications

 

  • Claudio Grossman, The Legal Regime of Protection of the Right to Freedom of Expression in the Inter-American System, 45 Curso de Derecho Internacional 307, OEA/Ser.Q/V.C-45 (2018).
  • Claudio Grossman, Agustina del Campo, & Mina A.Trudeau, International Law & Reparations: The Inter-American System (Clarity Press 2018).
  • Claudio Grossman, Nora Sveaass, & Felice Gaer, Rehabilitation in Article 14 of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 51 Intl. Law. 1 (2018).
  • Claudio Grossman, Implementing Human Rights in Closed Environments through the United Nations Convention against Torture Human Rights in Closed Environments, 125 (Foundation Press 2014) (reprinted in 31 L. in Context 125 (2014)).
  • Claudio Grossman, Disappearances, American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man (1948), Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and Mayagna (Sumo) Awas Tingni Community v. Nicaragua Case, The Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law, vol. III, 146, vol. I, 336, vol. V, 251, and vol. VII, 32 (2012) (reprinted in reprinted in The Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law, online edition (2008)).
  • Claudio Grossman, Challenges to Freedom of Expression Within the Inter-American System: A Jurisprudential Analysis, 34(2) HUM, RTS. Q. 361 (May 2012).
  • Claudio Grossman, Lawyers and the Rule of Law in the Western Hemisphere, 20 U. MIAMI INTER-AM. L. REV. 115 (2008) (co-author, Frederick Anderson).
  • Claudio Grossman, The Velásquez Rodríguez Case: The Development of the Inter-American Human Rights System International Law Stories (Foundation Press 2007).
  • Claudio Grossman, Suing the Sovereign from the Latin American Perspective, 35 GEO. WASH. INT’L. L. REV. 653 (2003).
  • Claudio Grossman, The Case of Awas Tingni v. Nicaragua: A New Step in the International Law of Indigenous Peoples, 19 Ariz. J. Intl. & Comp. L. 1 (2002 (co-author S. James Anaya).

 

Website
https://www.wcl.american.edu/community/faculty/profile/grossman/bio
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