KU Leuven: New honorary doctor Amal Clooney advocates fundamental freedoms for everyone
Today, renowned human rights lawyer and adjunct professor Amal Clooney in Kortrijk received an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Law and Criminological Sciences of KU Leuven. During her keynote at KU Leuven Kulak, Ms. Clooney spoke about the importance of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of background or status.
With the honorary doctorate, KU Leuven honors Amal Clooney for her contributions to international justice and her commitment to the protection of human rights. “This honorary doctorate is a recognition of her work and commitment as an academic, lawyer and human rights activist,” says Professor Gleider Hernández, promoter of the honorary doctorate.
“Her commitment and work to protect the most vulnerable and her fight against the violation of fundamental human rights is a source of inspiration for many colleagues and students,” adds Professor Ingrid Boone, Campus Dean of Law at Kulak.
“Amal Clooney has pleaded in just about every major court case, ranging from the Lebanon Tribunal to the Yugoslavia Tribunal or the Armenian Genocide. The awarding of this honorary doctorate on our campus today is very meaningful both in our region and far beyond,” says Piet Desmet, Vice Rector of KU Louvain Kulak.
Amal Clooney advocates values that KU Leuven holds dear. “Integrity, solidarity and attention for the most vulnerable are core values of KU Leuven,” says Rector Luc Sels. “We are therefore very proud to welcome Amal Clooney as an honorary doctor. We will pay even more attention to her further contributions to international justice and her commitment to essential human rights.”
During her keynote, Ms. Clooney herself stressed the importance of protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of their background or status. She urged those in attendance to ensure that the voices of those who would otherwise be ignored are heard. Ms. Clooney also gave an inspiring speech to the students, followed by a discussion about her choices between public service, advocacy and activism and how she balances her career. She gave advice on where she believes the biggest challenges lie for the next generation and answered questions about some important debates in international law and international justice.