HENOK G. GABISA

WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, 1 DENNY CIRCLE, SYDNEY LEWIS HALL, OFFICE #452B, LEXINGTON, VA 24450 CELL PHONE: +1 - 571-331-8330 OFFICE PHONE: +1- 540-458-8329 E-MAIL: [email protected] OR [email protected]

EDUCATION

St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami Gardens, Florida J.S.D. Expected: May 2017 (Dissertation Submitted) Dissertation: Justice /Judicial System Reform Program in Post-Conflict Africa ( in Focus)

Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Human Rights Law, magna cum laude December 2011 GPA: 3.6250 Honors/Activities: LL.M. Scholarship Award (2010 – 2011); Djurisic Scholarship “Voice for Justice & Democracy” (2010); prestigious Intercultural Human Rights Essay Award” (2011); Book Awards: International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights, Justiciability of Socio-Economic Rights, and Women and Child Human Rights; Intercultural Human Rights Law Review, Executive Editor (2010 – 2011); Susan J. Ferrell International Moot Court Competition, Assistant Judge (2011). Mekelle University School of Law, Mekelle, Ethiopia LL. B Degree [JD Equivalent], Academic Distinction July 2007 GPA: 3.25 Honors/Activities: Students Council General Secretary (2005 – 2007); Ethiopian Universities Students Union Executive Committee (2007); UNMEE (United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea) Essay Winner (2006); “Human Right, Democracy, and Good Governance” Public Educator (2005); Moot Court team (2006); Civic Education and Ethics Club Coordinator (2007); Law Faculty Academic Commission Representative (2007).

EXPERIENCE

Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia Visiting Academic Fellow (Adjunct Faculty) January 2013-Present • Fall 2016 & Spring 2017: Teaching Course: International Anti-Corruption & Good Governance Law Practicums; and International Criminal Tribunals • Fall 2015-Spring 2016: Convener of Inter-Departmental Seminar on "Human Rights in Africa: Interdisciplinary Approach.” • Supervising Law Students ‘research project “Land Grabbing in Ethiopia and World Bank Grievance Redress Mechanism” • Managed the University’s UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status application process and acquired the status on April 8, 2015 • Representative of Washington and Lee Law School at the UN ECOSOC since 2015 and the World Bank Global Forum on Law, Justice and Development Since 2014 • Worked on academic project (clinical training) with African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, transnational mechanisms of enhancing global value of rule of law, human rights and dignity, transitional justice, justice reform, establishment of public defender • Prepared guideline for the Schools’ Transnational Law Institute justice reform program, crime prevention, police training, access to justice, and rule of law in Liberia; • Worked with the school’s partner [UN Office on Drug and Crime] on UN Convention Against Corruption; prepared assessment guidelines for the 2015 UN Anti-Corruption Implementation Review • Supervised and instructed students' research projects on UN Convention Against Corruption • Designed academic project on continental litigation of rights by the University; its role in providing legal aid, capacity building and rights literacy in countries of post-conflict situations Advocates for Human Rights (Minneapolis, MN) and Stinson and Leonard Law Firm (D.C) Legal Counsel for Ethiopian Human Rights Victims January 2015-Present • Pro Bono Counsel for Ethiopian victims in a case Oromo Students Vs. The Republic of Ethiopia (pending) before African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) located in Gambia, West Africa St. Thomas University School of Law, IHR Law Review and Human Trafficking Academy, Miami Gardens, Florida Executive Editor and Graduate Fellow Sep. 2010 – May 2011 • Conducted research on transnational crimes child trafficking, women and sex trafficking, GBV and related issues focused in Eastern European countries and mutual legal assistance and the role of integrated database • Substantive editing, peer-reviewing, publishing the articles contributed by scholars, blue booking and filing; publication and global distribution Judicial Training and Legal Research Institute in , Ethiopia Trainer and Researcher, Oromia State Supreme Court Justice Sector Reform Program Sept. 2007 – Sept. 2010 • Managed the Research Department of the Institute and led a team of 5 Legal Researchers and 2 administrative assistants • Conducted Justice Reform Training Need Assessment; designed/produced a comprehensive training curriculum; wrote training modules, edited/evaluated training materials; assessed and evaluated training methodologies and training impact. • Delivered continuous [short & long-term] training for Oromia Regional State Supreme Court judges, prosecutors, public defenders, investigative police officers, court service personnel on different subjects: international human rights law; criminal justice administration and fair trial, false testimony and investigation; Gender-Based Criminal Case Management; child Rights and Ethiopian Legal System; Criminal procedure and Crime of Corruption; Treaty-Based Rights System and Domestication; the art of eloquent argument; • Participated in drafting process of Ethiopian criminal procedure code in 2009(Expert Input from Oromia regional State) • Founder of Law Journal of the Institute (Oromia Law Journal) and installed the editorial policy and rules of publication • Conducted extensive field and library based research, interviewed justice stakeholders, produced and presented several research papers and training modules • Planned and convened annual and semi-annual regional and national judicial colloquial [workshop and symposium] in Ethiopia • Represented the Institute in partnering with international justice organizations and international pro bo no law firms International Senior Lawyers Project (New York, US) & Judicial Training and Legal Research Institute in Oromia (Ethiopia) Public Interest Lawyer/Defender Project Founder and Liaison in Ethiopia Sept. 2009–May 2012 • Founder of Association of Oromia Public Defender (AOPD) in Ethiopia • Designed a capacity building training project for Ethiopian Public Lawyers/Defenders in collaboration with a NYC-based International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) • Prepared, delivered a week-long training for the Public Defenders on ‘Lawyering Skills and Eloquent Argument’ Organization for Social Justice in Ethiopia [OSJE], Trainer/teacher of Clinical courses Sep. 2009 – May 2010 • Trained JD/LL. B students and paralegals [a joint legal clinic program between DFID, OSJE, Glasgow University Active Direct Learning Center, and 3 Ethiopian Universities (Adama University, Addis Ababa University and Hawassa University) • Trained non-law students for paralegal certificate program on subjects of: Ethiopian legal system, court procedures [highlight of both criminal and civil litigation], human rights (national mechanisms, regional system, and global mechanisms of protections), property law, family law, employment, child and women's' rights, Ethiopian evidence law. • Served as a Regional Advisor to the OSJE in Oromia, Ethiopia Adama University, Wolayita-Sodo University, Royal University College, Ethiopia Visiting Lecturer in Law Oct.2009 – June 2010 ● Taught International Human Rights Law, Public International Law, Ethiopian Criminal Procedure Law courses, Investment Law, Forensic Evidence System in Ethiopia ● Wrote teaching manuals and modules on several subjects including human rights, criminal law and procedures, family law, and transactions law Oromia State Supreme Court, Addis Ababa Ethiopia Judicial Intern June 2006-Oct. 2006 • Prepared case reports, news articles, memoranda and correspondence and case briefs

PRO BONO /VOLUNTEER WORKS & PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Legal Counsel for Victims of Human Rights, AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS Present President & President Elect Oromo Studies Association, USA August 2014-2016 Advocate Human Dignity [Web-Based Human rights Analyst]. Sept. 2012 – Nov. 2014 Ethiopia Christian Lawyers Association, Professional Member Sept. 2009 – Present INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES, CERTIFICATES & PRESENTATIONS

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and University of Tirana, Albania • Organizer of Anti-Corruption Academic Initiative for Eastern European Professors. November 2016 University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). April 4, 2016 • Conflicting state policies and national questions in Ethiopia: conceptualizing the on-going Oromo protests London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), London, UK April 2-3, 2016 • A paper on Ethiopian Developmental State Ideology: Tyrannizing the Politics and Politicizing the Justice” Columbia University, New York City. Dec. 3-5, 2015 • Presented paper on “Historical Injustice in Ethiopia and Comparative Legal Solution” 3rd International Conference on Legislative Drafting & Law Reform, the World Bank & Federal Bar Association Jul 2, 2015 • Presented on Legislative Drafting of Energy and Mining Laws in Post-Conflict Nations London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), London, UK June 2015 • Presented on “Rhetoric and Reality of Justice System Reform in Ethiopia” 2nd International Conference on Legislative Drafting and Law Reform, the World Bank & Federal Bar Association May 2014 • Presented on “Teaching Legislative Drafting to Law Students in Africa” New York Law School Nov. 2014 • Presented on “Judicial Independence, Power and Reform” on a conference 20 years of South African Constitution UN high level session on “ICT collaboration between North and South.” May 2014 UN high level session on “Human Rights and Rule of Law.” June 9-10, 2014 The World Bank Conference on Global Forum of Law, Justice and Development. Nov. 18-22, 2013 UN Meeting on Regional Recommendation for Post-2015 Agenda, New York City. Sep. 22, 2013 UNESCO Chair and Institute of Comparative Human Rights Study, University of Connecticut, Storrs CT August 8-18, 2013 • Forum Facilitator, International Leadership Training Program Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government April 7-8, 2012 • Presented on: “Ethiopian Justice Reform Program and Rule of Law”, OSA Mid-Year Conference UNESCO Chair and Institute of Comparative Human Rights Study, University of Connecticut August 2011 • Certificate, Inter-generational Global Youth and Human Rights Leadership, Storrs CT International Advocate Certificate Sep. 2009 • Partnership with Advocate Africa, International Conference of Christian Lawyers Fellowship, Addis Ababa UK Department for International Development (DFID), University of Glasgow Active Learning Center and Organization for Social Justice in Ethiopia June 2009 • Certificate, Training of Trainers; Addis Ababa

RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

BOOKS AND CHAPTERS:

• Title: JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORM PROGRAM IN POST-CONFLICT AFRICA/ETHIOPIA (forthcoming 2017) • Title (Edited): HISTORICAL INJUSTICE IN ETHIOPIA: LEGAL AND POLITICAL REMEDIES (forthcoming) • Book Chapter: PROJECTING ETHIOPIAN DEVELOPMENTAL STATE IDEOLOGY: A TYRANNIZED POLITICS AND POLITICIZED JUSTICE (In Press.2017)

LAW REVIEWS AND LAW JOURNAL ARTICLES

• The Fate of International Human Rights Norms in the Realm of Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs): Has Humanity Become a Collateral Damage? JOURNAL OF THE INT’L LAWYER VOL. 48 NO. 2 (ABA AND SMU LAW SCHOOL PUBLICATION, 2014) • Historical Injustice in Ethiopia: International and Comparative Analysis of Law of Denial; INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION VOL. 2, NO. 1 (IBA, MARCH 2015) • Justice System Reform Program’ in Ethiopia: Is Rule of Law Lost in Translation? AFRICAN JOURNAL OF INT’L & COMPARATIVE LAW VOL. 23 ISSUE 2 (UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURG PRESS, 2015)

PROFESSIONAL COMMENTARIES/OPINIONS/ESSAYS

• Land as the Center of Social and Ethnic Conflict in Ethiopia; JURIST August 30, 2016 • Opinion: Olympic medalist Feyisa Lelisa’s gesture was a plea for justice for his people; THE GUARDIAN (AUGUST 24, 2016) • Opinion: Oromo Protests: Marking the next Ethiopian political chapter, ADDIS STANDARD (JANUARY 25, 2016) • Opinion-Only in Ethiopia: How to Relegate a Judge to a Public Defender; ADDIS STANDARD (NOV. 04,2015) • Political Layers Behind Teddy Afro and #Boycottbedele; OPRIDE (JANUARY 11, 2014) • The Peril of Ethiopian Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia: A Life of Absolute Defenseless and Destitute, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FORUM (NOV. 17, 2013) • International Criminal Justice and President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan: A Rejuvenated Call on International Community to Effectuate the Arrest Warrant, ADVOCATE HUMAN DIGNITY (OCTOBER 18, 2013) • A Road-map for Defining and Determining Legal Liability in Syria, ADVOCATE HUMAN DIGNITY(SEP. 19, 2013) • “Unilateral Humanitarian Intervention in Syria” and “the Law of Use of Force”: The “US” or “UN”? INTERNATIONAL NEWS (SEP 2013) • The politics of the Ethiopian Justice Sector Reform Program: Justice “reform” or “deform”? AFRIC LAW (MAY 20130) • Justice Sector Reform Program: The Masquerading Tool of Ethiopian Political Elites, THE GULELE POST, (April 2013) • Combating Child Sacrifice in Uganda, (March 2013) ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN DIGNITY (AHD) • Human Rights and over 60 years of Activism, (December 2012) ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN DIGNITY (AHD)

RESEARCH PAPERS, TEACHING/TRAINING MANUALS AND TERM PAPERS

• Practical challenges in the justice sector of Ethiopia, JUDICIAL TRAINING AND LEGAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, ETHIOPIA (2007) • Domestication of international human rights law into Ethiopian justice system, JUDICIAL TRAINING AND LEGAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, ETHIOPIA (2007) • Continuous criminal trial process in Ethiopian Criminal Procedure Law, JUDICIAL TRAINING AND LEGAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, ETHIOPIA (2008), • Practical Problems of Cooperation and Coordination among justice organs in Ethiopia JUDICIAL TRAINING AND LEGAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Ethiopia (2008) • Transactions Law for Legal Service Officers: A Teaching Material, RIFT VALLEY UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF LAW, Ethiopia (2009) • Family Law and Ethiopian Justice System: A Teaching Manual, RIFT VALLEY UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF LAW, Ethiopia (2009) • Criminal Law and Procedure in Ethiopian Justice System RIFT VALLEY UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF LAW, ETHIOPIA (2010) • The Changing Role of Chinese Investment Treaties in Global Economy, INTERNATIONAL LAW SEMINAR PAPER, St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, Florida (2011)

MEDIA APPEARANCES

• Media appearances include the BBC TV, World News, BBC Newsweek Radio, BBC Africa, Voice of America, South Africa Public Radio, Oromia Media Network (OMN), Ethiopian Satellite TV (ESAT) • I have been cited by major magazines including LA Times, VoA online.