Bilan Hirsi (International Human Rights Law 2024) was selected from over 74,000 applicants worldwide and awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship as one of only 1,364 recipients and the sole female scholar from Somaliland.

After gaining a Distinction in her Masters at Sussex, she has a new role as Network Coordinator for the international organisation Every Casualty Counts (ECC).

Bilan's story

My academic journey reflects my profound commitment to justice, advocacy, and the empowerment of marginalised communities. I achieved academic excellence at Sussex, with my dissertation on 'The Application of International Human Rights Standards to Protect Women in Somalia's Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs)' attaining an 80% score and being recognised for its originality and publishable quality. It identified critical gaps in protections for displaced women and proposed actionable legal reforms with the potential to influence future policy.

I chose Sussex’s Masters Programme for its unique blend of theory and practical applications in human rights law under the mentorship of Dr Stephanie Berry, a respected expert in international human rights law. Stephanie’s extensive research on the human rights of religious and emerging minorities in Europe inspired me to study at Sussex. Through the course I gained invaluable insights into how international law impacts marginalised groups in real-world settings. This foundation enabled me to examine complex issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where I critically assessed gaps in international law’s effectiveness in protecting human rights amidst ongoing violations.

In my second semester, I earned a spot in the highly competitive Human Rights Clinic; it was a transformative experience that honed my practical skills. Collaborating with the International Child Rights Connect non-profit network, I contributed to a legal memorandum focused on the Committee on the Rights of the Child’s new draft, General Comment No. 27, which addresses children’s rights to access justice and effective remedies. My work identified barriers and proposed recommendations to strengthen protections, especially for children in armed conflicts. This hands-on experience refined my analytical and legal writing abilities and reinforced my commitment to translating legal frameworks into actionable protections.

My dedication to human rights advocacy has led to a new role as Network Coordinator for Every Casualty Counts Worldwide (ECC). This international organisation ensures every civilian casualty of armed conflict is documented and acknowledged. By strengthening documentation practices and advocating accountability, ECC makes civilian casualties visible, aiming to drive policy changes and justice for affected communities.

Rooted by my own community's resilience, I have developed a lifelong passion for international law and human rights. I am dedicated to fostering reforms that resonate globally, especially for communities impacted by conflict and displacement. With the transformative education I’ve received at Sussex and a nuanced understanding of global legal systems, I feel driven to advocate for marginalised and displaced populations worldwide. I aspire to contribute to a future where dignity, security, and equality are accessible to all and every individual’s rights are protected.

Studying at Sussex has been a transformative experience. The global perspective, human rights expertise, exceptional faculty, and hands-on opportunities like the Human Rights Clinic have shaped my journey and equipped me to make a meaningful impact.

Find out more about Bilan's course here: International Human Rights Law LLM.

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