Judith Bueno De Mesquita
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Email
jrbuen@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 874117
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Location
5S.6.6, Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
Judith Bueno de Mesquita is a Senior Lecturer in International Human Rights Law at Essex Law School and Human Rights Centre. Working at the intersection of international human rights law and global public health for two decades, her current research focuses on (i) human rights in the context of epidemics and pandemics, such as COVID-19 and pandemic influenza; (ii) the protection of the right to health in the context of climate change (iii) the relationship of human rights and postgrowth proposals. She is experienced and greatly enjoys working in interdisciplinary teams to advance research and practice on human rights, health and well-being. Throughout her career, Judith has worked with international and national institutions to advance human rights in the field of public health. She is a member of the WHO Guideline Development Group for Pandemic Influenza Public Health and Social Measures. She worked as a consultant with, amongst others, the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response; UNFPA (Kosovo) and the Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo; UNFPA (Azerbaijan) and the Commissioner for Human Rights Azerbaijan; WHO's Departments of Gender, Equity and Human Rights, and of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research; the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; and OHCHR. In 2002-08, she worked as the Senior Research Officer to the first UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Paul Hunt. She regularly engages with international and domestic human rights processes, for example through submitting evidence/amicus curiae. In 2018-20, Judith was Co-Coordinator of the Economic and Social Rights Academic Network UK and Ireland (ESRAN UKI). From April-September 2024 she was Interim Director of the Human Rights Centre, and served as its Deputy-Director for Research from 2020-2024. From 2015-2019, she was Deputy Director of the Human Rights Centre Clinic. At Essex, she directs LLM modules on development, the environment and human rights and on economic, social and cultural rights; and teaches across other modules on international human rights law. In 2024, she is teaching a module on economic, social and cultural rights at Oxford University's International Human Rights Law Summer School. In 2021 Judith received the University of Essex International Impact Award. She has received funding from the ESRC, ESRC-IAA (Essex), the World Health Organisation, the British Academy and the Wellcome Trust.
Qualifications
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LLM, International Human Rights Law University of Essex, (2001)
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MA, History University of Cambridge, (1999)
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PGDIP Public Health London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, (2023)
Appointments
Other academic
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Lecturer, School of Law and Human Rights Centre, University of Essex (2015 - present)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Health and human rights
Economic, social and cultural rights
Climate change
International development and human rights
Poverty and human rights
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Human Rights, Development and the Environment (LW915)
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Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Context (LW930)
Current supervision
Previous supervision
Degree subject: Human Rights
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 21/12/2023
Degree subject: Human Rights
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 16/3/2022
Publications
Journal articles (16)
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Meier, BM., Sekalala, S., Abdool Karim, S., Bottini Filho, L., Forman, L. and Gilmore, K., Advancing human rights in global health norms: opportunities and obstacles in World Health Organization governance. Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2024). Re-interpreting human rights in the climate crisis: moving beyond economic growth and (un)sustainable development to a future with degrowth. Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights. 42 (1), 90-115
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Gostin, L., Meier, BM., Abdool Karim, S., Toebes, B., Chirwa, D., Finch, A., Friedman, E., Habibi, R., Halabi, S., Lee, T-L. and Villareal, P., (2024). The World Health Organization Was Born as a Normative Agency: Seventy-Five Years of Global Health Law under WHO Governance. PLOS Global Public Health. 4 (4), e0002928-e0002928
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Lougarre, C., Sekalala, S. and Montel, L., (2023). Lodestar in the time of Coronavirus? Interpreting international obligations to realise the right to health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Human Rights Law Review. 23 (1)
Meier, BM., Bottini Filho, L., Bueno de Mesquita, J., Habibi, R., Sekalala, S. and Gostin, LO., (2023). A critical juncture for human rights in global health: Strengthening human rights through global health law reforms.. PLOS global public health. 3 (12), 1-5
Meier, BM., Bueno De Mesquita, J. and Williams, C., (2022). Global Obligations to Ensure the Right to Health: Strengthening Global Health Governance to Realize Human Rights in Global Health. Yearbook of International Disaster Law. 3 (1), 3-34
Cusato, E., Jones, E., Ohdedar, B. and Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2022). Symposium Introduction: Critical Perspectives on Global Law and the Environment. Asian Journal of International Law. 12 (1), 1-8
Mason Meier, B., Bueno de Mesquita, J., Burci, GL., Chirwa, D., Dagron, S., Eccleston-Turner, M., Forman, L., Gostin, L., Habibi, R., Negri, S., Phelan, A., Sekalala, S., Taylor, A., Villarreal, P., Ely Yamin, A. and Hoffman, S., (2022). Travel restrictions and variants of concern: global health laws need to reflect evidence. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 100 (03), 178-178A
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Kapilashrami, A. and Mason, BM., (2021). Strengthening Human Rights in Global Health Law: Lessons from the COVID-19 Response. The Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics. 49 (2), 328-331
Pūras, D., Bueno De Mesquita, J., Cabal, L., Maleche, A. and Meier, BM., (2020). The right to health must guide responses to COVID-19. The Lancet. 395 (10241), 1888-1890
Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2019). The Universal Periodic Review: a valuable new procedure for the right to health?. Health and Human Rights. 21 (2), 263-277
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Thomas, R., Gauter, C., Havkwist, A., Hoddy, R., Larasati, A., Legrand Gjerdset, I., Perrone, G., Sadiq, T. and Smith, R., (2018). Monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals Through Human Rights Accountability Reviews. World Health Bulletin. 96 (9), 627-633
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Sander, G. and Hunt, P., (2016). Rehabilitation and the Right to Health in Times of Transition. International Human Rights Law Review. 5 (2), 169-193
Bueno De Mesquita, J. and Kismödi, E., (2012). Maternal mortality and human rights: landmark decision by United Nations human rights body. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 90 (2), 79-79A
Kismödi, E., Bueno De Mesquita, J., Ibañez, XA., Khosla, R. and Sepúlveda, L., (2012). Human rights accountability for maternal death and failure to provide safe, legal abortion: the significance of two ground-breaking CEDAW decisions.. Reproductive Health Matters. 20 (39), 31-39
Hunt, P. and Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2006). Mental Disability and the Human Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health. Human Rights Quarterly. 28 (2), 332-356
Books (2)
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Fyock, C., Ohdedar, B., Chirwa, D. and Madhav, R., (2025). Law for a Post-growth Era: Global Perspectives on Environmental, Human Rights and Economic Law. Edward Elgar
Casla, K., Sepúlveda, M., Silva, V., Contreras, V., Cisterna, P. and Delgado, V., (2021). Derechos sociales y el momento constituyente de Chile: Perspectivas globales y locales para el debate constitucional. GI-ESCR
Book chapters (15)
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Meier, BM. and Fisseha, S., (2023). The Development and Implementation of Human Rights Law in WHO Governance. In: Elgar Companion to the Law and Practice of the World Health Organisation. Editors: McArdle, S. and Switzer, S., . ELGAR
Bueno De Mesquita, J. and Forman, L., (2023). Normative Frameworks: Human Rights and Social Justice in Global Health. In: Global Health Law & Policy: Ensuring Justice for a Healthier World. Editors: Gostin, L. and Meier, BM., . Oxford University Press
Mason Meier, B., Hufstetler, H. and Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2020). Monitoring Public Health to Assess Human Rights. In: Foundations of Global Health & Human Rights. Editors: Gostin, L. and Mason Meier, B., . Oxford University Press
Bueno De Mesquita, J. and Michalowski, S., (2020). The Right to Health: A Discussion. In: Covid-19, Law and Human Rights : Essex Dialogues. A Project of the School of Law and Human Rights Centre. Editors: Ferstman, C. and Fagan, A., . University of Essex. 83- 84. 978-1-5272-6632-2
Bueno De Mesquita, J. and Mason Meier, B., (2020). Moving Towards Global Solidarity for Global Health through Multilateral Governance in the Covid-19 Response. In: Covid-19, Law and Human Rights : Essex Dialogues. A Project of the School of Law and Human Rights Centre. Editors: Ferstman, C. and Fagan, A., . University of Essex. 31- 39. 978-1-5272-6632-2
Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2020). Covid-19: An Inconvenient Truth? Re-evaluating Progress and Confronting Challenges for the Right to Health. In: Covid-19, Law and Human Rights : Essex Dialogues. A Project of the School of Law and Human Rights Centre. Editors: Ferstman, C. and Fagan, A., . University of Essex. 85- 92. 978-1-5272-6632-2
Meier, BM., Huffstetler, H. and Bueno de Mesquita, J., (2020). Monitoring and Review to Assess Human Rights Implementation. In: Foundations of Global Health & Human Rights. Oxford University PressNew York. 155- 176. 0197528295
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Fuchs, C. and Evans, D., (2018). The Future of Human Rights Accountability for Global Health under the Universal Periodic Review. In: Human Rights in Global Health. Editors: Mason Meier, B. and Gostin, LO., . Oxford University Press. 537- 556. 9780190672676
Hunt, P., Backman, G., Bueno De Mesquita, J., Finer, L., Khosla, R., Korljan, D. and Oldring, L., (2015). The right to the highest attainable standard of health. In: Oxford Textbook of Global Public Health (6th edition). Editors: Detels, R., Guilford, M., Karim, QA. and Tan, CC., . Oxford University Press. 277- 292. 9780199661756
Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2014). Maternal mortality and human rights: from theory to practice. In: Law and Global Health Current Legal Issues. Editors: Freeman, M., Hawkes, S. and Bennett, B., . Oxford University Press. 223- 243. 0199688990. 9780199688999
Hunt, P., Bueno De Mesquita, J., Lee, J-Y. and Way, SA., (2013). Implementation of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In: Routledge Handbook of International Human Rights Law. Editors: Rodley, N. and Sheeran, S., . Routledge. 545- 562. 9780415620734
Backman, G. and Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2012). The Right to Health. In: Mental Health and Human Rights Vision, Praxis, and Courage. Editors: Dudley, M., Silove, D. and Gale, F., . Oxford University Press. 578- 584. 0199213968. 9780199213962
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Hunt, P. and Khosla, R., (2011). The human rights responsibility of international assistance and cooperation in health. In: Universal Human Rights and Extraterritorial Obligations. Editors: Gibney, M. and Skogly, S., . University of Pennsylvania Press. 104- 129. 9780812242157
Hunt, P. and Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2009). Poverty, Health and the Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health. In: Partnerships for Women?s Health: Striving for Best Practice within the UN Global Compact. Editors: Timmermann, M. and Kruesmann, M., . United Nations University Press. 9789280811858
Hunt, P., Backman, G., Bueno De Mesquita, J., Finer, L., Khosla, R., Korljan, D. and Oldring, L., (2009). The right to the highest attainable standard of health. In: Oxford Textbook of Public Health (5th edition). Editors: Detels, R., Beaglehole, R., Lansang, MA. and Gulliford, M., . Oxford University Press. 9780199218707
Reports and Papers (13)
Meier, BM., Habibi, R., Bueno de Mesquita, J., Davis, SM., Fish Hodgson, T., Sekalala, S., Nauleau, M. and Zarifi, S., (2023). Human Rights Challenges in the Pandemic Treaty Negotiations
Habibi, R., Bottini Filho, L., Bueno de Mesquita, J., Burci, GL., Cabal, L., de Campos, TC., Chirwa, D., Dagron, S., Davis, SM., De Falco, R., Fish Hodgson, T., Eccleston-Turner, M., Forman, L., Gross, A., Gostin, LO., Hoffman, S., Khosla, R., Lee, T-L., Meier, BM., Negri, S., Phelan, A., Quintero Martinez, R., Ram, RM., Seiderman, I., Sekalala, S., Sepulveda Carmona, M., Toebes, B., Sirleaf, MVS., Taylor, A., Villarreal, PA., Were, N., Yamin, AE. and Zarifi, S., (2023). The Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Public Health Emergencies
Habibi, R., Sirleaf, MVS., Bueno de Mesquita, J., Burci, GL., Dagron, S., Eccleston-Turner, M., Bottini Filho, L., Forman, L., Halabi, S., Lee, T-L., Meier, BM., Negri, S., Phelan, A., Sekalala, S., Taylor, A. and Yamin, AE., (2023). Submission on the first draft general recommendation no. 37 (2023) on racial discrimination in the enjoyment of the right to health
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Kapilashrami, A. and Meier, BM., (2021). Human Rights Dimensions of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Kryeziu, A., Lulaj Sinani, M. and Istrefi, R., (2016). Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Kosovo: A Reality Beyond the Law?
Bueno De Mesquita, J., Rumzade, R. and Bayramova, P., (2016). An Assessment of the Implementation Status of Treaty Body Recommendations on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan
Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2011). A Review of Global Accountability Mechanisms for Women's and Children's Health
Hunt, P. and Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2009). International Assistance and Cooperation in Sexual and Reproductive Health: a Human Rights Responsibility for Donors
Bueno De Mesquita, J. and Finer, L., (2008). Conscientious objection: protecting sexual and reproductive health rights
Hunt, P., Steward, R., Bueno De Mesquita, J. and Oldring, L., (2007). Neglected diseases: a human rights analysis
Hunt, P. and Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2007). Reducing maternal mortality: the contribution of the right to the highest attainable standard of health
Hunt, P. and Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2007). The rights to sexual and reproductive health
Ferraz, O. and Bueno De Mesquita, J., (2006). The Right to Health and the Millennium Development Goals in developing countries: A Right to International Assistance and Cooperation?
Grants and funding
2024
Reimagining Food Systems for Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation, and Social Justice
Economic and Social Research Council
2023
The Realization of Human Rights in Societies Beyond Growth
British Academy
2022
Integrating Human Rights-Based Approaches in COVID-19 Response and Recovery to strengthen equity-oriented, gender-responsive, rights-based health systems.
World Health Organisation
Achieving Net Zero Carbon Goals through Improved Stakeholder Engagement in Climate Action: Implementing Colchester Borough Council�s Blue and Green Infrastructure Strategy Focusing on Participatory Budgeting / Participatory Approach
University of Essex
2021
Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Human Rights Impacts of COVID-19
The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
Empowering WHO Country Teams to Implement Human Rights-Based Approaches to Leave No-One Behind in COVID-19 Public Health Responses and Recovery
University of Essex (ESRC IAA)
