Wang Hao听is a distinguished attorney and senior partner at a leading Beijing law firm, renowned for his commitment to public interest law, particularly in environmental protection, smoking control, and minority rights advocacy. A graduate of the Central University of Finance and Economics of China, Hao鈥檚 international leadership is notable, having participated in Japan鈥檚 Youth Leadership Program and undertaken initiatives in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region with support from the Rollen Valenburg Foundation, where he provided legal aid to underserved communities. In 2021, he was selected by the U.S. State Department to take part in the Professional Fellows Program (PFP). During his fellowship, where he collaborated with Tubman, a renowned NGO in Minnesota, deepening his expertise in minority rights and economic development, and broadening his understanding of international human rights and social justice issues. Hao鈥檚 exceptional contributions were recognized in October 2023 when he became the youngest recipient of the prestigious Alumni Impact Award from the U.S. State Department. As a Humphrey Fellow, he will focus his research on the protection of minority rights and their right to economic development.
Nino Kvirkvelia听is a humanitarian professional specializing in forced displacement, with more than a decade of experience in the field. She holds a master鈥檚 degree in EU-Russia Studies from Tartu University and another in Migration Studies from Sussex University, supplemented by studies at the University of Bologna. Kvirkvelia鈥檚 professional background includes roles at the Georgian Ministry of IDPs and Refugees, the Office of the Public Defender (Ombudsman), and in the court system, where she focused on asylum seeker country of origin research. Currently, Kvirkvelia serves as a community-based protection associate at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Her dedication to advocating for displaced populations stems from her personal experience as a forcibly displaced person, fueling her commitment to finding effective solutions. As a Humphrey fellow, she aims to delve into 猫咪社区app refugee laws and policies, with a particular focus on integration and inclusion pathways.
Liyi Noshi is a dedicated lawyer and advocate, specializing in protecting the rights of marginalized and vulnerable communities. As an associate partner at Agrud Partners, she focuses on providing legal representation for children who have been victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking. With over 16 years of experience, Noshi addresses issues such as racial discrimination, child sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, and child trafficking. She co-founded organization, Helping Hands, an organization that collaborates with the Delhi Police to combat racial discrimination and promote inclusivity. Noshi supports government agencies and trains stakeholders within the police and judicial systems to foster systematic change. With a law degree from the University of Delhi, Noshi is committed to empowering vulnerable communities and advocating for policy reforms that protect their rights. As a Humphrey Fellow, Noshi aims to continue her work in empowering and protecting vulnerable children, advocating for policy reform, and building capacity for legal aid and trauma-informed care, ultimately contributing to a more just and equitable society.
Zuzana Pavl铆膷kov谩 is the head of policy and international Relations at the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights. She holds a master鈥檚 degree in law from Comenius University in Bratislava and an LLM in International 听and European Public Law from Erasmus University Rotterdam, having garnered a wealth of experience in over 12 years of practice. Pavl铆膷kov谩 is an expert in international human rights reporting, policy development, and legislative processes concerning human rights. Her areas of specialization include gender equality, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and LGBTIQ+ rights. Pavl铆膷kov谩 collaborates extensively with civil society organizations and provides training on these issues to various stakeholders and businesses. As a recognized national expert, Pavl铆膷kov谩 has contributed to many European Commission studies analyzing national implementation of EU equal treatment directives. As a Humphrey Fellow, she focuses on strategic litigation and leveraging legal mechanisms to promote public discourse on gender equality and LGBTIQ+ rights, particularly within more conservative communities.
Claude-Winnie Pefol茅 serves as magistrate with the Cameroon Ministry of Justice. With a decade of experience investigating criminal cases and a passionate advocate for human rights, she specializes in women鈥檚 rights, gender-based violence, and menstrual/sexual reproductive health. Pefol茅 is a PhD candidate at the University of Douala, where her research centers on gender equality and violence against women. Her published novel, Handicapped, is based on true stories highlighting the societal challenges faced by women. Pefol茅 also holds a master鈥檚 degree from the University of Dschang and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Gender and Development from the Graduate Institute of Geneva. Her expertise is highly sought by national and international organizations. Pefol茅 founded and leads the non-profit association ReKnow (Reference of Knowledge), which promotes gender equality, education for girls and women, and provides essential support services to victims of abuse. As a Humphrey Fellow, she will focus on deepening her knowledge in strategic litigation and international comparative law to further her impactful work in Cameroon.
Karolina Rankovi膰 is an accomplished Attorney at Law with over 13 years of experience, holds an LL.B. from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Law. After honing her expertise at Serbia鈥檚 top law firms, she has successfully run her own practice for the past five years, establishing herself as a leader in international and corporate law. Beyond her legal practice, Rankovi膰 is a dedicated cultural diplomat and youth leader, spearheading projects supported by the European Commission to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. Rankovi膰 founded Sofinatass, an association focused on empowering individuals through soft skills and non-formal education training, and serves as an external advisor for European institutions, providing insights into policy and governance. Additionally, she teaches Legal English at Cambridge Law Studio, mentoring aspiring legal professionals. Her interests extend to environmental advocacy, actively participating in the Connect Clean Roma Group recycling cooperative as well as addressing critical issues in climate change diplomacy and policies. As a Humphrey Fellow, Rankovi膰 will focus on climate change diplomacy and environmental policies, aiming to integrate international action, legal frameworks, and sustainable development strategies.
Helena Refosco听is an accomplished jurist and scholar, currently serving as an auxiliary judge at Brazil鈥檚 National Council of Justice. Her career began in 2006 when, at the age of 23, she became the youngest judge ever appointed to the S茫o Paulo State Court of Justice. In addition to her judicial responsibilities, Judge Refosco has held prestigious positions at the highest levels of Brazil鈥檚 legal system. From 2017 to 2023, she served as an Auxiliary Judge at the Supreme Court of Brazil, taking a oneyear hiatus in 2022-2023 to serve as an auxiliary judge at the Vice-Presidency of the Superior Electoral Court. Refosco holds an LL.B. and a Ph.D. from the University of S茫o Paulo (猫咪社区appP) Law School, where she is currently an associate researcher at the Institutions Observatory Center. She has also been a visiting research fellow at Harvard Law School (Fall 2015) and is an adjunct professor at the University of Bras铆lia Law School. Her ability and dedication to public service make her an invaluable asset to the legal community in Brazil and beyond. As a Humphrey Fellow, Refosco will focus her research on comparative constitutional law, access to justice, and complex litigation.
Irfan Tariq听is a dedicated civil servant with the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), having served in various roles across Punjab, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Currently, he leads the Mega Projects & Foreigners Security, and the Information Technology Unit, where he
spearheads smart E-Policing initiatives to enhance public outreach and service delivery. Tariq is an active member of the International Police Association (IPA) and a recipient of the British Chevening Scholarship in 2017, earning an MSc in Terrorism, Security, and Policing from the University of Leicester. His efforts during the COVID-19 Pandemic were recognized by both the university and the British Embassy, and published on their websites under Citizens Alumni for Change. He has also participated in the Japan-South Asia Young Leaders Forum and the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Recently, Tariq has focused on promoting gender-based inclusive policing, encouraging women and marginalized groups to join the police force, especially in traditional and remote areas. As a Humphrey fellow, he seeks best practices in International Human Rights Law to address gender parity and enhance his ability to support marginalized communities through empowerment and legal action.
Ying Wang is a human rights lawyer from China and a Japan Foundation visiting scholar. She holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in law from Shanghai University and a master鈥檚 degree in constitutional and administrative law from the China University of Political Science and Law. Before joining a law firm, she worked at a public prosecutor鈥檚 office, where she concentrated on public prosecution work. Wang currently represents Dr. XU Zhiyong, often referred to as the 鈥淢andela of China,鈥 and is a staunch advocate of the citizen movement he leads. Additionally, she works as a leader in her community to call for self-government and resist authoritarian control on a local level. As a Humphrey Fellow, Wang will focus on China鈥檚 democratic transition and the construction of constitutional human rights.
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Wan Zulhafiz is the company secretary of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and an associate professor of law with a distinguished career in academia and legal practice. He served as deputy legal advisor, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and deputy dean of the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws. Zulhafiz is a recognized expert in the field, holding designations as a Chartered Secretary (CS) and Chartered Governance Professional (CGP) from the Chartered Governance Institute. His professional experience spans both the courtroom and the boardroom, having served as an advocate and solicitor (High Court of Malaya) and a legal executive. Zulhafiz is a dedicated educator and consultant, specializing in Energy Law and Corporate Law. He holds a PhD in Law from the University of Aberdeen, UK, an LLM in Corporate Law from UiTM, an LLB (Hons) from IIUM, and an MBA in Energy Management from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS. His scholarly contributions include many journal articles and books. As a Humphrey Fellow, he is committed to advancing the integration of sustainable energy and climate change laws and policies.