Law, Justice, and Human Rights: A Discussion with Joshua Colangelo-Bryan

On September 19, 2025, USJ law students had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Joshua Colangelo-Bryan, Special Counsel at Human Rights First in New York.

During the discussion, Mr. Colangelo-Bryan addressed the complexities of free speech law, questioning whether governments may take adverse action against individuals solely because they disagree with official positions. He also reflected on broader challenges in the field of international law, highlighting issues such as the lack of accountability for violations, the crisis of justice, the role of human rights institutions and the difficulties of representing populations in U.S. litigation.

Mr. Colangelo-Bryan emphasized the different approaches taken by lawyers in human rights cases: while some file lawsuits to make a symbolic statement, his own practice favors legal action when there is a real possibility of holding responsible parties to account before a court.

To the students, he offered practical advice: to take advantage of every class available on international law and related subjects, and to seek opportunities to volunteer with organizations while still at university. These experiences, he explained, are the first essential steps toward building a career in human rights advocacy.

In conclusion, Mr. Colangelo-Bryan acknowledged the difficult times faced by international lawyers, human rights defenders, and the international community at large. However, he left the students with a message of hope: despite the challenges, the values preserved in international law are, at their core, human values. They must be upheld everywhere, for everyone, and it is the responsibility of future generations of lawyers to work toward their realization.