The 17th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Mood Court Competition concluded at the European seat of the United Nations, the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on 18 July 2025, on day of commemorating 105 years since the birth of the internationally renowned human rights icon Nelson Mandela.
Midlands State University of Zimbabwe represented by Michelle Tanatsirwa Patricia Chiwanga and Watson Tonderai, emerged as the winners, with the Universidad Nacional de Colombia at Bogotá represented by Emily Pedraza Ochoa and John Santiago Cifuentes Rincón, clinching the runners-up spot. The two other teams that advanced to the semi-finals are University of Santo Tomas,(Philippines), which was represented by Joelle Joie Cruz and Exelcis Bernal and Symbiosis Law School NOIDA - Symbiosis International University, represented by Shashank Bhatt and Archisha Dhar. That the four top teams hailing from four different continents (Africa, Asia and Latin America), underscores the diversity and global reach of this Competition.
The final round was presided over by a panel of illustrious judges. They are Judge Veronica Gomez, who acted both in her capacity as President of the Global Campus of Human Rights and as Judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; Judge Ivana Jelic, a Judge in respect of Montenegro at the European Court of Human Rights, where she is also the president of her section and Vice President of the Court; Judge Thompson Chengeta, a professor at Liverpool John Moores University and serves on the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Body on Disarmament Matters and is Legal expert and advisor for International Committee for Robot Arms Control; Professor Manfred Novak, a previous holder of numerous UN special rapporteur position and currently serving as Secretary-General of the Global Campus of Human Rights; Judge Simon Walker, currently serving as Chief, Rule of Law and Democracy Section, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Mr Yashasvi Nain, who is an international human rights lawyer currently serving as Human Rights Advisor at the Permanent Delegation of the Commonwealth to the United Nations in Geneva.
The final rounds brought to a close a Competition that started very early this year. Below is a summary of some of the highlights.
Written memorials
The first phase was that of submission of written pleadings (memorials) by 92 teams from across the five UN regions. These memorials were assessed, and the 50 best teams were identified, taking into account regional representation, and advanced to the virtual rounds. The five highest English memorials and three highest Spanish memorials were awarded to the following teams:
English Memorials
I. Hidayatullah National Law University, India (Asia Region) 84.33%
II. London College of Legal Studies - South (Asia Region) 84.16%
III. National University of Study and Research in Law Ranchi (Asia Region) 83.5%
IV. Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University (Asia Region) 83.33%
V. Strathmore University (Africa Region) 83.16%
Spanish Memorial
I. Granada University (Europe Region) 82.25%
II. Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Latin America Region) 81.5%
III. Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo - Sede Cochabamba – BOLIVIA (Latin America Region) 77%
Preliminary (virtual) rounds
The 50 teams with the highest memorial marks participated in the virtual rounds. These took place from 14 May to 21 May 2024. These days were marked with fierce competition as all stakeholders not only had arguments to contend with –different time zones also had to be navigated and network connectivity issues has to be overcome. Special commendation must be given to Judges that logged in from around the globe and made themselves available despite their busy schedules. The general sentiment was that the quality of arguments and ingenuity of the students was remarkable and indicative of the preparation and diligence of the students. Unfortunately, it was necessary to identify the Top 24 teams that would advance to Geneva. The following Universities (out of the 24 advancing teams) emerged as the top 10 teams for the preliminary (virtual) rounds:
I. Universidad Nacional de Colombia at Bogotá (Columbia)
II. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad (India)
III. Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (Guatemala)
IV. Kabarak University (Kenya)
V. Symbiosis International University (NOIDA India)
VI. Kenyatta University (Kenya)
VII. Strathmore University (Kenya)
Midlands State University of (Zimbabwe)
IX. University of Santo Tomas (Philippines)
X. Universidade de São Paulo, (Brazil)
The top English oralists in the preliminary (virtual) rounds were as follows:
I. Deepanksha, from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad,
II. William Foxton, from University of Oxford,
III. Pracheta Waikar from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad,
IV. Esther-Blessing Nasimiyu, from Kabarak University,
V. Joelle Joie Cruz from University of Santo Tomas,
VI. Shashank Bhatt, from Symbiosis International University (NOIDA),
VII. Watson Tonderai, from Midlands State University,
Jalody Jebet Toroitich, from Kenyatta University,
IX. Archisha Dhar, from Symbiosis International University (NOIDA),
X. Jaynerose Ochieng, from Strathmore University,
The performance of the Spanish oralist during preliminary (virtual) rounds was as follows:
I. Pedraza Emily from Universidad Nacional de Colombia
II. John Santiago Cifuentes Rincón from Universidad Nacional de Colombia
III. Carla Lourdes Castillo Rodríguez from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala
IV. Luis Gerardo Román Gudiel from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala
Geneva Advanced rounds
The preliminary virtual rounds produced 24 advanced round teams. Three of these teams could regrettably not make it to Geneva, namely, Granada University on account of lack of funding, Great Zimbabwe University and Kenyatta University, which failed to secure a visa date in time to make it for the advanced rounds in Geneva.
The competition was officially opened by the address of Ambassador Jürg Lauber in his capacity as President of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Ambassador Lauber reflected on the spirit and personality of the late icon President Mandela and affirmed his belief and support of the moot as it shines a spot light on the advocacy and protection of human rights. On Monday and Tuesday, four court rooms ran concurrently, and each team had an opportunity to argue once as the applicant and once as the respondent. The top eight teams were selected for a seeded quarter final elimination ‘face off’. The teams that made it into the quarter-finals, which took place on Wednesday, were:
I. University of Santo Tomas
II. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
III. Midlands State University
IV. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá
V. Symbiosis International University (NOIDA)
VI. Strathmore Univerity
VII. University of Buenos Aires
St Thomas University
Nelson Mandela Lecture
As part of the Moot, the sixth Nelson Mandela Lecture took place on the evening of 16 July at the Maison de la Paix, unpacking the theme of the ‘The Role of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the Context of Migration and Forced Displacement’, the main speaker of the day, Dr Graeme Reid, reflected on his report titled ‘The findings and The Reflections on Human Rights Situations on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and other gender diverse persons in the context of Migration and Forced Displacement’. He highlighted the urgent and growing crisis of forced displacement affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other gender-diverse (LGBTQ+) individuals. Unlike general displacement caused by conflict, disasters, or economic hardship, LGBTQ+ people often face targeted violence, discrimination, and legal persecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, making their experiences of displacement distinct, intersectional, and highly vulnerable.
Miss Sheryl Kunaka a fellow of the Clooney Foundation for Justice: Waging Justice for Women Fellow was the first respondent during the lecture. went on to speak on how women on the move face heightened risks of sexual and gender-based violence, exploitation, and barriers to basic services, including healthcare. These challenges are compounded for LGBTQ+ women, who must navigate additional discrimination when seeking refugee status. South Africa offers relatively strong legal protections through its constitution and refugee legislation, but faces challenges in ensuring fair treatment. Recent legal amendments and inconsistent application of the law have created obstacles, particularly concerning credibility assessments during asylum procedures. Officials often rely on stereotypes or irrelevant personal judgments, leading to the dismissal of legitimate claims.
The second respondent, Mr Brian Penduka, a law lecturer from the University of Buckingham, went ahead to wrap up the lecture by reflecting on global migration, noting that over 304 million people live outside their countries of birth and more than 83 million are internally displaced, amounting to nearly the equivalent of North America’s population being “on the move.” This displacement coincides with the rise of right-wing governments across Europe and other traditional host countries, which increasingly normalize xenophobia and exclusionary policies
Ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi who heads the South African Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, in delivering his closing remarks, drew attention to the injustices of South Africa’s past as a reminder of the effects of racial and gender inequalities. He emphasised how good governance and respect of human rights is a journey and not a destination and that despite having its flaws he drew attention to the positive strides South Africa has taken in recognising and respecting the rights of sexual minorities. He concluded by exhorting each person present to take an active role in the protection and preservation of these rights just like the icon – Madiba. The night ended with a cocktail function during which the four semi-final teams were announced.
The above narration summarises the 17th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Competition which would not have possible without the sponsorship and partnership of the European Union through the Global Campus of Human Rights, the Swiss Confederation, United Nations Human Rights Council Branch (HRCB) at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and also the Geneva Human Rights Platform, Lucerne Academy for Human Rights Implementation and the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, American University, Washington D.C.
We are also appreciate the solidarity of South African Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva.