Karen Tse

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2002

Karen Tse

International Bridges To Justice

http://www.ibj.org

Geneva, Switzerland

Civil and Human Rights, Legal Advocacy

The Bold Idea:

In recognition of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Bridges to Justice, as a non-government and non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the basic legal rights of ordinary citizens in Asia. Specifically, IBJ works to guarantee the rights of all citizens to competent legal representation, to be protected from cruel and unusual punishment, and to a fair trial. Cambodia, China, and Vietnam have recently taken important steps in favor of human rights by signing international conventions and adopting domestic laws that safeguard the rights of ordinary citizens, yet many of these new laws remain unenforced due to the lack of trained lawyers and other significant resources. IBJ has partnered with governmental and grassroots organizations to support public defenders in those countries and educate ordinary citizens about their legal rights.

Biography:

An international human rights attorney and ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, Reverend Karen Tse is pioneering Rule of Law initiatives in Asia. A social entrepreneur supported by Skoll, Echoing Green and Ashoka foundations, Karen has successfully negotiated and implemented groundbreaking measures in judicial reform with the Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodian governments. Karen first developed her interest in the cross section of criminal law and human rights as a Thomas J. Watson fellow in 1986 after observing Southeast Asian refugees detained in local prison without trial. A former San Francisco public defender, she later moved to Cambodia in 1994 to train the country's first core group of public defenders. Subsequently, she served as a United Nations Judicial Mentor. Under the Auspices of the U.N., she trained judges and prosecutors and established the first arraignment court in Cambodia.

A graduate of UCLA Law School and Harvard Divinity School, Karen demonstrates strengths in legal and cross-cultural negotiations and has extensive experience in conflict mediation, community-building and values clarification. She has been profiled in international media and featured as a speaker at numerous venues.

Scripps College Outstanding Recent Alumna
1998

Official Commendation from Minister of Justice, Cambodia
1997

Defender Program of the Year Award: CA Public Defenders Association
1995

Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Recipient
1986