Samantha Holmes

Profile

Biography

Samantha Holmes

Research Associate and Generating Respect Hub coordinator

I joined York Law School in 2023 as a Research Associate at the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) and the Coordinator of the Generating Respect Hub. The Hub focuses on enhancing norms compliance in armed conflict through innovative socio-legal research. I am also a Researcher for the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict – a network that strives to end rights violations against children in war zones. I hold an LLM with distinction in International Human Rights Law and Practice from the University of York, and an LLB from Queen Mary University of London. Prior to joining York Law School, I built a career in human rights law practice for non-governmental organisations in Southeast Asia, specialising in civil and political rights, legal analysis, UN advocacy, and the Cambodian context.  

Awards and prizes

I was awarded the CAHR Scholarship for 2022/23 and in 2023 was a recipient of the Sam Pegram Human Rights Placement Award for commitment to reflexive human rights practice. In 2024 I received prizes for producing the highest graded LLM dissertation across York Law School, as well as graduating with the highest LLM average grade.

Research

Overview

My socio-legal research interests include:

• Lawfare, including the weaponisation of the law against human rights defenders through Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs)
• The experience of children in armed conflict and accountability mechanisms for violations of children's rights.
• Approaches to reducing and mitigating need and harm in war through generating compliance with both legal and extra-legal norms.
• Mental health as an impact of armed conflict and the concept of civilian (psychological) harm.
• Mental health in the field of human rights and among human rights defenders and the over-reliance on 'resilience' as a mitigation tool.
• The treatment of mental health in the UK criminal justice system.
• Human rights in Southeast Asia, including in particular, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Publications

Selected publications

• The Conversation - The UN has a ‘list of shame’ for those who harm children in war – but who is missing?
• “A Credible List”: Recommendations for the Secretary-General’s 2024 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict
• OpinioJuris - Influencing Armed Actors to Increase the Protection of Children in Armed Conflict
• The Blue Badge Test in York: Can the realisation of disabled people’s rights and the prevention of terrorism be reconciled?
• The Diplomat - How Lese Majeste Laws Are Eroding Free Speech in Southeast Asia
• The Southeast Asia Globe - Weaponising the law against free expression
• Fifth Annual Report of the Cambodia Fundamental Freedoms Monitor