András Léderer

I joined the Hungarian Helsinki Committee in September 2015, as the refugee programme’s advocacy officer. Before joining the team, I earned my BSc (terrorism, conflict, and security) at Aberystwyth and my MSc (violence, conflict, and development) at SOAS.

I’m leading HHC’s advocacy efforts with a specific focus on international protection and the rule of law.  I also take every opportunity to be on the field; this means, in practice, Serbia where I document (often violent) push-backs for litigation purposes. Through training, networking and advocacy I also support grassroots groups working on this issue.

My PhD research focuses on the relationship between speech and trauma caused by intractable conflicts. Although I largely work on Chechnya, I left my heart in the Southern Caucasus: I consider Georgia my second home. I teach a course I also co-developed, the sociology of terrorism, for BA and MA students at ELTE, Hungary’s largest university.  I am also a proud member of the first Obama Leaders: Europe alumni.

Working in today’s Hungary on these issues with my colleagues (many of whom happen to be my friends) is not only a great privilege. For me, this is simply the only thing that makes sense.