Paula Roko
Washington,DC
Summary
A lawyer and journalist with +8 years of experience in human rights law, I am currently leading monitoring activities at the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the IACHR. I bring a comprehensive background in legal research, documentation, and strategic communications and advocacy. Proven track record of coordinating with regional state authorities and civil society to bolster press freedom and human rights across the Americas. Demonstrated expertise in drafting reports analyzing freedom of expression conditions in different countries, such as El Salvador, Colombia, Honduras, Chile, and Peru. Adept at managing large-scale projects, developing policy-influencing publications, and leading capacity-building initiatives. I am committed to advancing human rights and fostering a collaborative approach to international law and policy-making, with a keen focus on the evolving challenges of Internet governance and the impact of digital technologies on the exercise of fundamental rights.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Rights Consultant
OAS Office of the Special Rapporteur for FoE
Washington , DC
05.2021 - Current
- Lead regional monitoring initiatives on the situation of FoE, closely collaborating with journalists, media organizations and civil society across the Americas to document and address human rights violations.
- Coordinated the Annual Report of the Special Rapporteurship (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), providing a comprehensive overview of the regional press freedom trends.
- Authored chapters on freedom of expression for the IACHR country reports on human rights situations in El Salvador (2021), Colombia (2021), Chile (2022), Haiti (2022), Peru (2023), and Honduras (forthcoming-2024), as well as thematic reports on the closure of civic space in Nicaragua (2023), and the state of emergency in El Salvador (forthcoming-2024).
- Draft press releases, communications to OAS Member States and NGOs, as well as other statements, often under tight deadlines, to respond to immediate press freedom abuses.
- Coordinate technical cooperation activities with authorities of States in the region, contributing to the protection and promotion of press freedom.
- Prepare technical documents on FoE and access to information issues for IACHR’s internal discussions.
- Assist with the coordination of IACHR Public Hearings, facilitating direct dialogue between civil society and State authorities.
- Draft speech for the Special Rapporteur.
- Manage projects on the closure of civic space and the criminalization of women for exercising their right to freedom of expression, among other topics.
- Currently conducting in-depth research and drafting a report on journalists in exile in the Americas.
Fellow
OAS Office of the Special Rapporteur for FoE
Washington , DC
06.2020 - 04.2021
- Engaged in rigorous monitoring and analysis of freedom of expression conditions in Latin America, producing detailed reports and press releases.
- Authored +10 country chapters for the 2020 Annual Report of the Special Rapporteurship, offering critical insights into the regional press freedom trends.
- Supported the legal team in evaluating admissibility reports and contributed to the Petition and Case System, strengthening the protection mechanisms for journalists.
Consultant
International Center for Not-For-Profit Law (ICNL)
Buenos Aires , Argentina
03.2020 - 07.2020
- Conducted research and co-authored a report on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the digital space in Argentina, impacting policy discussions and advocacy efforts.
Researcher
Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression (CELE)
Buenos Aires , Argentina
01.2017 - 05.2020
- Led substantive research on Internet freedom and freedom of expression online, resulting in publications that informed stakeholders on strategic litigation and advocacy.
- Played a key role in organizing capacity-building workshops for civil society organizations, enhancing regional capabilities and training +50 CSO from Latin America on internet regulation and digital rights.
- Oversaw the editorial process for landmark publications, contributing to the discourse on Internet and human rights.
Intern Junior Reporter
Perfil.com
Buenos Aires , Argentina
01.2017 - 04.2017
- Reported on judiciary, social, and cultural matters, providing timely and insightful pieces.
Communications and Logistics Associate
Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression (CELE)
Buenos Aires , Argentina
08.2016 - 12.2016
- Facilitated legal research and content creation for digital platforms, enhancing the organization's online presence and advocacy reach.
- Contributed to the organization of key conferences and training activities, bolstering the network of press freedom defenders.
Intern
Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression (CELE)
Buenos Aires , Argentina
03.2016 - 07.2016
- Supported research initiatives on topics such as internet access and hate speech, aiding in the preparation of significant reports for the OAS’ Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression.
- Played an active role in event logistics, contributing to the successful execution of events aimed at promoting freedom of expression.
Education
LL.M. - International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
American University, Washington College of Law
Washington, DC12-2024
Master - Constitutional Law
University of Palermo, Law School
Buenos Aires, Argentina12-2019
Postgraduate Degree - Investigative Journalism
University of Salvador, School of Communication
Buenos Aires, Argentina03-2017
Law Degree - Law
University of Palermo, Law School
Buenos Aires, Argentina07-2016
Associate Degree - Journalism
Tea & Deportea Journalism School
Buenos Aires, Argentina12-2014
Skills
- Legal Research
- Press Release Writing and Speechwriting
- Social Media Engagement
- Investigative Reporting
- Media Relations
- Legal and Policy Analysis
- Evaluating Legislation
- Data Collection
- Interviewing Techniques with a human rights approach
Accomplishments
- Winner of the 2021 Human Rights Essay Award of the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law of American University. Full scholarship granted for the 2021 Summer Program.
- Yale Linkage Program scholarship (Yale Law School, New Haven, USA, Jan - Feb 2019).
- Magna Cum Laude honor diploma (Palermo University Law School, 2016) and Academic Excellence Scholarship (2015 – 2016).
- Winner of the "First National Contest for secondary students". Full scholarship granted (Tea & Deportea Journalism School, 2011).
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
French
Elementary
Portuguese
Elementary
Affiliations
- Member of the Argentine Youth Internet Governance Forum (Youth IGF Argentina): Program Committee - Buenos Aires, 11/2019, Communications Staff - Buenos Aires, 07/2018.
- Contributor to Stanford Law School World Intermediary Liability Map (WILMap), an online resource informing about evolving Internet regulations. Documented legislation and case law from Argentina (01/2017 to 05/2020)
- Editorial Board member of the Law School Journal (Palermo University Law School, 2018-2019)
- Teaching Assistant in the subject of "Criminal Law I" at Palermo University Law School (08/2014 – 12/2014).
- Junior Reporter at “Diario Publicable”, Tea & Deportea Journalism School digital newspaper & “Domingo”, the print edition (2013 – 2014).
Timeline
Human Rights Consultant
OAS Office of the Special Rapporteur for FoE
05.2021 - Current
Fellow
OAS Office of the Special Rapporteur for FoE
06.2020 - 04.2021
Consultant
International Center for Not-For-Profit Law (ICNL)
03.2020 - 07.2020
Researcher
Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression (CELE)
01.2017 - 05.2020
Intern Junior Reporter
Perfil.com
01.2017 - 04.2017
Communications and Logistics Associate
Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression (CELE)
08.2016 - 12.2016
Intern
Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression (CELE)
03.2016 - 07.2016
LL.M. - International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
American University, Washington College of Law
Master - Constitutional Law
University of Palermo, Law School
Postgraduate Degree - Investigative Journalism
University of Salvador, School of Communication
Law Degree - Law
University of Palermo, Law School
Associate Degree - Journalism
Tea & Deportea Journalism School
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