Mashal Aamir Wins International Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer Award

The Faculty of Law is pleased to announce that Postgraduate student Mashal Aamir, has won the 2024 International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Outstanding Young Lawyer Award . Mashal is studying International Human Rights Law and received the award for her work on sensitive issues ranging from women and child prisoners in Pakistan, vulnerable witnesses, women's rights, transgender persons rights, human rights in North Korea and the victims of crimes and harms caused by the use of drones. 

Mashal says: 

"Alongside the supportive Faculty, one of the most rewarding aspects of studying International Human Rights Law at Oxford has been the opportunity to learn alongside a diverse, international cohort. Each person brings unique insights from their experiences, which deepens my understanding of various cultural, social, and political contexts that are important to consider when addressing human rights concerns. Winning the International Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Award while pursuing my degree has further deepened my commitment to advancing human rights on a global scale. I am grateful that Oxford provides me with the academic development to inform as well as advance my work in advocacy and legal reform."

Mashal's commitment to humanitarian causes and her wide-ranging work in human rights have been instrumental in her receiving this prestigious award. Her efforts span multiple countries and focus on various aspects of human rights and international law. 
 
In South Korea, Mashal assists North Korean defectors who have faced severe torture, advocating for accountability against these crimes. She has appeared before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva to highlight the continued suffering of North Korean defectors. 

Mashal's research on prisons in Peshawar, Pakistan, focused on marginalised communities such as transgender prisoners, providing valuable insights into different legal and cultural systems. She has also established a charity in rural Pakistan to empower women through financial independence. Her legal experience includes work with Legal Aid USA, the British Government, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and time spent at the International Criminal Court. Mashal has publications with Cambridge University Press and Routledge, focusing on international criminal law and minority perspectives in justice. 

 Mashal's achievements have been recognised beyond the IBA award. She was previously a UN delegate on the status of women, has been named one of the '30 Under 30 Most Inspiring Women' by Young Women's Movement Scotland, and is the recipient of the Young Scot International Award. 

We congratulate Mashal on this achievement and look forward to her continued success in the field.