Claudio Grossman Honored with Prestigious Nelson Mandela Award

American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) is proud to announce that Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman has been honored with the Nelson Mandela Award by the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) International Human Rights Section (IHRS). This highest distinction in international human rights recognizes individuals whose extraordinary achievements have profoundly impacted the global pursuit of justice.

The award was presented during a special ceremony at the AALS annual meeting on January 9, 2025. The event included remarks from Eduardo Bertoni, director of AUWCL's Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, who highlighted Professor Grossman's exceptional contributions to advancing human rights and international law.

"Professor Grossman's life and career are a testament to resilience, vision, and unwavering commitment to the principles of justice and human dignity," Bertoni said. "As a co-founder of the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, his leadership has helped make AUWCL a global hub for human rights advocacy, education, and research."

The ceremony also featured personal remarks from Nienke Grossman, the daughter of Professor Grossman who is currently professor of law and co-director of the Center for International and Comparative Law at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She introduced her father, sharing heartfelt reflections on his profound influence on both her personal and professional life.

"I've grown up in awe of my father, though at times it has felt like we were sharing him with the entire world," she said. "Now a law professor myself, short of having a clone or an identical twin that I don't know about, I just cannot imagine how he does everything he does."

In his acceptance speech, Professor Grossman expressed deep gratitude to the selection committee and reflected on the collective nature of his accomplishments, emphasizing the impact of his mentors, family, and life experiences.

"This award is not just for me but for the collective 'me and my circumstances,'" he said, invoking Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset. "It includes my parents, who taught me resilience and the belief in our shared humanity, and my wife and children, who inspire me with their solidarity, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to justice."

Grossman also spoke of his journey, from facing political oppression in Chile to contributing to international law as chairperson of the United Nations Committee Against Torture and a member of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. He credited those who supported democratic transitions in Latin America and reminded attendees of the enduring lessons from Nelson Mandela's life.

"Mandela's example teaches us that a life worth living is one with purpose," Grossman noted. "Our duty to humanity requires resilience, pragmatism, and the creation of space for others to continue the fight for justice and dignity."

AUWCL celebrates Professor Grossman's remarkable legacy, which continues to inspire students, scholars, and practitioners worldwide. His lifelong dedication to justice and the rule of law exemplifies the values of the Nelson Mandela Award, and his work leaves an indelible mark on the field of human rights.