Carlos J. Zelada

Carlos is currently undertaking a DPhil in Law at the University of Oxford, generously supported by the Dean’s Scholars Fund. His research is focused on the analysis of sexual violence against men and non-cisgender women as portrayed in the judgments of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

At the Universidad del Pacífico in Peru, Carlos holds the position of Associate Professor and serves as the chair of the Public International Law program. His academic journey includes earning degrees from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (LL.B.) and Harvard Law School (LL.M.), where he distinguished himself as a Fulbright scholar.

Widely acknowledged for his expertise in the intersection of law and dissident sexualities, Carlos has presented impactful academic contributions on the discrimination faced by LGBTIQ+ communities at global forums. His work is frequently cited by governmental bodies and civil society organizations. Notably, Carlos led the legal team in the groundbreaking case of Olivera Fuentes v. Peru (2023), a regional ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that addressed issues related to public displays of affection by LGBTIQ+ individuals and the extent of anti-discrimination obligations for corporations. He also played a pivotal role as an expert witness in the Inter-American Court’s case of Vicky Hernández et al. v. Honduras (2021), a landmark application of the Convention of Belém do Pará to a transfemicide.

Before joining the faculty at the Universidad del Pacífico, Carlos served nearly a decade in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, handling significant cases related to freedom of speech and access to information before the Inter-American Court, including Kimel v. Argentina (2008) and Claude Reyes et al. v. Chile (2006). He also contributed to shaping advocacy strategies for health as a fundamental human right at the Pan-American Health Organization. In the early stages of his career, Carlos engaged in local transitional justice initiatives with Peruvian non-governmental organizations, collecting testimonies for submission to Peru’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Carlos’ influence extends globally through his teaching and research. In addition to his role at the School of Law at the Universidad del Pacífico, he serves as an Associate Researcher at the Centre for the Study of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information at the Universidad de Palermo. He is also a Visiting Professor within the Latin American section of the Global Campus of Human Rights, based in Buenos Aires. His previous engagements include serving as a Visiting Professor at the Law School of George Washington University in the United States. Carlos has provided legal advice to various governments and human rights organizations, including the United Nations Population Fund, the International Labour Organization, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and the Trust for the Americas.