In recognition of his worldwide reputation as a respected teacher and scholar of international human rights, Burns Weston, founding director of the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights (UICHR), was recently awarded the Courage of Conviction award.

Burns Weston

The Courage of Conviction award honors an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the protection of human dignity and the advancement of human rights. This award recognizes the strength of character required of persons who advocate for the rights of individuals and for the common good in the face of opposition and often at significant personal cost.

Weston is Senior Scholar of the UICHR and Bessie Dutton Murray Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus in the UI College of Law. The UICHR presented Weston with the award at a private ceremony on Oct. 30.

The author of many books and articles in the field, Weston’s most recent publications include The Future of International Human Rights (Transnational Publishers, Inc., 1999; with Stephen P. Marks); Child Labor and Human Rights: Making Children Matter (Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc., 2005); and Human Rights in the World Community: Issues and Action (University of Pennsylvania Press, 3d ed. 2006; with Richard Pierre Claude). Also noteworthy are his essay "Human Rights" in the 2005 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica and his award-winning textbook International Law and World Order: A Problem-Oriented Coursebook (Thomson-West, 4th ed. 2006; with Richard A. Falk, Hilary Charlesworth, and Andrew L. Strauss).

The UICHR was also recently honored with the Community Award 2012 from the City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission at their annual human rights awards breakfast.

The Iowa City Human Rights Commission recognizes local persons and businesses that have significantly contributed to human rights in the Iowa City community. The UICHR was honored for its outstanding teaching, scholarship, and service to the local community for 13 years.

The UICHR is housed in International Programs under the Office of the Provost at the UI.