Michael Li - HRF

Michael will be interning with Human Rights First, an independent advocacy and action organisation in New York City that provides legal assistance to people seeking asylum in the United States.

Michael’s passion for human rights stems from his academic interest in politics, particularly in the areas of political philosophy and legal theory. This has driven many of his pursuits at Monash, from his study of political anthropology and human rights law to his involvement in Model United Nations with the Monash International Affairs Society. He finds the politics of the United States especially fascinating given its strong basis in ideology, history and cultural dynamics.  

In recent years, Michael has become increasingly passionate about refugee rights. Following his study of international refugee law and practice, he began working as a policy volunteer at the Refugee Council of Australia, analysing refugee statistics and providing written commentary on developments in domestic refugee policy. He also began volunteering as a paralegal at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, where, through interacting directly with asylum seekers, he became acquainted with the social and political realities that refugees face in Australia.

Meanwhile, Michael’s academic interest in politics followed him in this new direction. Earlier this year, he co-authored an article with Dr Maria O’Sullivan on the philosophy of bureaucratic resistance, published by the Forced Migration Review. He is currently researching the history of immigration in American political discourse and the nature of constitutional protections for asylum seekers in the United States and Australia.

At Human Rights First, Michael hopes to gain a deeper insight into the workings of the U.S. immigration system, all while honing his legal skills and helping vulnerable people find refuge in a safe country. He expects to return from the experience with a deeper understanding of the political issues surrounding refugees, in turn allowing him to be a more effective advocate for their cause.