Mendes, Juan Ernesto (born December 11, 1944 ) is an Argentinean lawyer and human rights activist who is known for his speeches in support of political prisoners. Temporarily worked as “Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide” (2004-2007) as UN Assistant Secretary General Kofi Annan [1] . Subsequently, he was appointed “Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” (2010-2013) at the UN .
| Juan Ernesto Mendes | |
|---|---|
| Juan E. Méndez | |
 Juan Mendes at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (2012) | |
| Date of Birth | December 11, 1944 ( 74) |
| Place of Birth | Lomas de Zamora city, Argentina |
| A country | |
| Occupation | Jurisprudence and advocacy |
| Spouse | married |
| Children | has three children |
| Awards and prizes | Doctor " honoris causa " |
Biography
In 1970, he received a law degree from the University of Stella Maris in Mar del Plata , Argentina . From the early years of his career, he represented political prisoners, as a result of which he was arrested and imprisoned for 18 months, undergoing torture . Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience . In 1977, he was expelled from Argentina and moved to the United States . Later he worked at various American universities, and devoted more than 15 years to human rights activities at Human Rights Watch . From 2000 to 2003, he was a member of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights at the Organization of American States , and in 2002, he held the chair of its chairman.
Awards and honors
- Doctor's degree in honoris causa from the University of Quebec in Montreal and the National University of La Plata .
- Laureate of the Prize named after Monsignor Oscar A. Romero for Leadership in the Defense of Human Rights ”( University of Dayton )
- Winner of the Gina and Joseph Sullivan Awards (Heartland Alliance)
- and etc.
Main publications
- Juan E. Méndez, Marjory Wentworth. Taking a stand: the evolution of human rights . - New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011 .-- 246 p. - ISBN 978-0230112339 .
- Chapter of the Prevention of Genocide and Its Challenges in Standing for Change in Peacekeeping Operations: Project for a UN Emergency Peace Service ] published as part of the Global Action to Prevent War (2009) initiative