CV_YAV KATSHUNG _JOSEPH_legal officer
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Dr. Joseph Yav Katshung holds several degrees including a PhD in Law and Masters degrees in Human Rights and Law. He is fluent in French, English, and Swahili. He works as an Associate Professor, Executive Director of a human rights NGO, and attorney. He has extensive experience in areas of human rights, democracy, governance, and conflict resolution through his roles researching, consulting, and teaching on these topics.
CV_YAV KATSHUNG _JOSEPH_legal officer
- 1. Dr JOSEPH YAV KATSHUNG Private Email: joyav22@yahoo.fr AND joseyav@gmail.com AND info@joseyav.com Web site: http://www.joseyav.com Telephone: +243 997021758 Fax: +1 501 638 4935 Date of birth: 19 June 1969 th Nationality: Congolese (DRC) Languages Languages skills - French (Fluent) - English (Fluent) - Swahili (Fluent) Summary of professional skills I hold a doctorate of Law from the University of Lubumbashi in DRC, a Masters degree in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (University of Pretoria in South Africa), another Masters in Law (University of Lubumbashi in DRC), a Diploma in Transitional Justice (ICTJ-IJR/Cape Town), an Advanced Certificate in International Law (PGGA / Centre for Human Rights: University of Pretoria), an Advanced Certificate in Peace-Building in war torn societies (ASPR), Certificates on Advanced and UN Basic Security in the Field Staff Safety, Health, and Welfare, and a LLB in Law (University of Lubumbashi). I am an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Lubumbashi in DRC. I am also the Executive Director of a Human Rights NGO named CERDH (Centre for Human Rights, Democracy and Transitional Justice) and the Coordinator of the UNESCO Chair for human rights, governance, conflict resolution and peace at the University of Lubumbashi. Furthermore, I practice as an Attorney at the Lubumbashi Bar Association/DRC. Previously, I worked (June 2006-January 2007) as Independent Research Consultant for the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Pretoria, South Africa on a joint project - ISS and ippr (Institute for Public Policy Research/UK) named Operationalising the Responsibility to Protect in Africa. I also worked from 3th February 2007 to 6 July 2007 as a Senior th Researcher for the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Addis Ababa Office in the Direct Conflict Prevention programme.
- 2. Professional experience 2002-date: Lawyer at the Lubumbashi Bar Association/ DRC (Activity performed simultaneously with the other activities below) Founder and Head partner of a Consulting and Law Firm named YAV & ASSOCIATES based in Lubumbashi, DRC. I am the head partner and responsible for providing legal advice and representation to various clients. I assist and represent clients in judicial, administrative, commercial, private and social matters. I manage a Law firm with 11 lawyers and consultants. 2003-date: Executive Director of CERDH (Centre for Human Rights, Democracy and Transitional Justice Studies) I lead all the running of the organisation in order to fulfil the objectives of the ONG : promote and defend human rights, democracy values and peace and reconciliation. I lead and coordinate the work of the organization by ensuring collection, research and analyses of pertinent documentations and human rights information in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region of Africa. I also conduct investigations of cases related to the violation of human rights and international humanitarian law through interviews ensuring that witnesses, victims are properly protected; prepares evidence of human rights violations,; Ensure timely entry of human rights cases in human rights database as required; Write timely reports, communications, briefings, etc.; Define work plan in accordance with established assignments of the organisation; Maintain regular contact with local authorities, civil society representatives, as relevant; As per staff management, I lead a team of 8 staffs with collaborators in South Africa and France. 1999-date: Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law/ University of Lubumbashi in DRC. To lecture on justice, human rights, law, democracy, peace and conflict prevention-resolution- management. 2000-date: Consultant in Human Rights, Democracy, Governance and transitional justice fields. I provide legal ad political advice to clients and mentored and provided legal and other technical assistance to human rights and other civil society organisations. I also work in
- 3. building the capacity of civil society groups and defenders to engage international human rights mechanisms to advance their advocacy work. Some Consultancy works a. From 2 to 5 March 2010 : Independent Consultant for the Institute for Justice and nd th Reconciliation (IJR) Cape Town South Africa, in order to train Congolese civil society organisations on Transitional Justice options in the DRC, in Bukavu, DRC. b. From May 2008 to August 2009: DRC Senior Researcher & Consultant on a resource Governance in the Southern African mining sector for OSISA (Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa) to carry out a research to establish the contribution of South African mining and gas companies to the improvement of social conditions in the DRC; Address : Open Society Initiative for southern Africa, 12 Floor, th Braamfontein, 2017, South Africa; Website: www.osisa.org 2004-date: Coordinator of the UNESCO Chair of human rights, governance, conflict resolution and peace at the University of Lubumbashi (DRC) I coordinate the activities (research and training) of the UNESCO Chair. Organise the Master degree in Human rights and Democracy. Work in the development of training materials and manuals that focus on the relevant legal issues to human rights and governance. I also conduct training workshops for the police, paralegals, and community leaders to broaden their understanding of the rule of law, human rights, democracy, etc. I am currently implementing training workshop and related capacity building activities on Justice. As a coordinator, I manage a twin level staff of 12 - namely in the academics and administrative posts. 2003-2006: President of the National Coordination of Human Rights Moot Court Competition (DRC) I organise human rights moot court competition and train participants to international and local competitions. I have also developed strong links and collaborative work with human rights, civil rights, social justice communities, academia, and other program stakeholders 1 February 2007- 6 July 2007: Senior Researcher for the Institute for Security Studies st th (ISS), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the Direct Conflict Prevention programme Responsible of the start up period: Established the office in Ethiopia and worked within the project on Direct Conflict Prevention. I worked with a network of African research institutes in support of the African peace and security agenda, initiate and responsible for policy research, quality control, interact with key member states on the African Union's Peace and Security Council, engage with the work of the Continental Early Warning System and establish a dialogue forum for public discussion and debate. I undertake policy research on peace and security in Africa
- 4. I was the head and a focal point of a network of African civil society organizations (CSOs), aptly named SalaamNet, to assist the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in promoting the continental peace and security agenda. 1997-2002: Director of Human Rights NGO: Droits et Justice Pour Tous (DJPT) To lead the activities of the NGO focussed on promotion and protection of human rights. I was involved in the design and implementation of programs in collaboration with other local NGOs to enhance knowledge of legal and human rights among students and illiterates citizens. I implemented programmes aimed in fighting discrimination and disparities in the criminal justice system using international human rights procedures. Further, I worked with 8 staffs under my management. Education 2007: Doctorate (PhD) of Law (Faculty of Law, University of Lubumbashi, DRC) 2006: Diploma in Forced Migrants Resettlement offered by the Refugee Sponsorship Program at Catholic Cross-Cultural Services in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese / Toronto- Canada (Academic year 2005- 2006) 2005: Diploma in Human Rights and Transitional Justice (Visiting fellow ICTJ&IJR Fellowship in Transitional Justice/Cape Town/South Africa) 2004: Masters in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa/ University of Pretoria / South Africa 2003: Advanced Certificate in International Law/ University of Pretoria / South Africa 1999-2002: Masters in Law (DES): University of Lubumbashi/DRC 1992-1998: LLB , University of Lubumbashi (DRC) Professional development Additional courses or skills acquired beyond the existing professional qualifications. - UN Advanced Security in the Field, January 2008 - UN Basic Security in the Field Staff Safety, Health, and Welfare, January 2008
- 5. - Fellowship in Transitional Justice (International Center for Transitional Justice & Institute for Justice and Reconciliation) /Cape Town/South Africa (February-May 2005) - Short Course in International Law (PGGA / Centre for Human Rights: University of Pretoria), January 2004 Publications 6.1. Books 則 The International Criminal Court and Truth Commissions: Two sides of the same coin? , Ed. UniBook, Spuurs, Belgium, 2009 則 La Decentralisation au Congo: Une Tour de Babel?, Ed. UniBook, Spuurs, Belgium, 2009 http://www.unibook.com/unibook/site/bookdetail/?bookid=6917 則 Afrique: Quand boire de leau devient dangereux et luxueux! Ed. UniBook, Spuurs, Belgium, 2009 http://www.unibook.com/unibook/site/bookdetail/?bookid=7146 則 Le Parlement Provincial Pour Quoi Faire ? Ed. Controle Citoyen, Lubumbashi, DRC, September 2008 (112 pages) http://www.unibook.com/unibook/site/bookdetail/? bookid=6918 則 Les Successions en Droit Congolais (Cas des enfants heritiers), Ed. New Voice Publishing, Cape Town, South Africa, May 2008 (247 pages) 則 Elements des regimes matrimoniaux et successions, Ed. Droits et Justice Pour Tous, Lubumbashi, DRC, 2003 Awards and Scholarships - Scholarship from the Centre for Human Rights /University of Pretoria in order to do the Masters Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa - Scholarship from the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)/New York in order to do the Fellowship Programme in Transitional Justice - Many scholarships in order to attend events in the world. Personal hobbies Volunteer, readings, football (soccer), photos, etc
- 6. I certify that the information on this CV is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Dr. Joseph YAV KATSHUNG 1