International Human Rights and Legal Frameworks Comparative Approaches to Foreign Policy Exploring the Nexus of International Relations and Law Governance, Political Regimes, and Regulatory Compliance

Shelom Velasco is a distinguished attorney and scholar with a law degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC). She is a recognized expert in procedural law, international and comparative law, criminology, human rights, and international relations. Her career reflects a steadfast dedication to advancing legal scholarship and championing human rights through both academic and professional pursuits. Shelom began actively participating in her academic community during her law school years at PUC (1997-1998), serving as a member of the Student Council while supporting the university’s International and Criminal Law departments in various roles. Her passion for international law led her to earn a Diploma of Advanced Studies in International Law and collaborate with PUC’s Department of International Relations, further honing her expertise. As an academic, Shelom has made significant contributions to international law. She was an assistant professor at Bernardo O’Higgins and Central Universities, where she co-taught specialized courses such as "The Inter-American System of Human Rights" alongside Professor Hugo Llanos Mansilla. Her work extended to regional cooperation efforts, including her notable role in drafting a Penal Code for Latin America between 1999 and 2000. Throughout her career, Shelom has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving legal systems and advocating for human rights on a global scale. Her contributions to legal scholarship and dedication to fostering progress in international relations speak to her impactful career. Shelom Velasco’s professional journey embodies a remarkable blend of academic excellence, legal expertise, and a steadfast commitment to human rights and social justice. Her career began at the San Miguel Prosecutor’s Office of the State Defense Council in 2001, followed by her involvement with Carey y Cía’s litigation team in 2002. From 2003 to 2006, she led research at Asercof Cía., producing pivotal reports on civil fraud, legal simulations, procedural law, and the intersection of personality disorders with criminal culpability. During 2006–2007, she collaborated with the University of Chile and the Ministry of Health on projects and seminars addressing procedural criminal law, incarceration, and preventive measures. In 2007, Shelom was awarded a PUC scholarship for advanced criminology, propelling her groundbreaking work on overturning wrongful convictions, particularly in child sexual abuse cases. She later refined her expertise in legal writing at Adelphi University in New York (2008) and the University of Arizona (2009). She earned an LL.M. in International Law and Human Rights as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Notre Dame (UND). Under the guidance of Doug Cassel at UND’s Center for Civil and Human Rights, she authored her thesis, “The Recognition of the Hierarchy of Human Rights in Chilean Jurisprudence from 1946 to 2010.” From 2012 to 2016, Shelom pursued a doctorate at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB), supported by prestigious scholarships including CONICYT and AAUW. Her dissertation, “The Inter-American Court of Human Rights: Emerging Patterns in Judgment Compliance,” was widely acclaimed for its originality. At IUB, she excelled academically—earning numerous awards and scholarships—while also teaching, conducting research, and supervising graduate students. Her dedication to academic legal writing, leadership, and scholarship has earned her broad recognition. Shelom is an academic and researcher leading a qualitative project, having presented her innovative research at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame, where she actively collaborates. Her work spans multiple disciplines and focuses on noncompliance with international regimes. Shelom has played a pivotal role in advancing human rights education at the Academia de Humanismo Cristiano, where she helped establish the Civil and Human Rights Research Center. Her efforts revitalized the center’s mission to train lawyers committed to advocacy. She has contributed to the Secretariat of Gender, the Ethics Tribunal, and the UNESCO Chair led by National Education Award recipient Abraham Magendzo. Her research initiatives have also explored gender stereotypes in universities, civic participation, and academic research management. As a guest lecturer in master’s and doctoral programs, Shelom continues to inspire future generations of legal professionals at Autónoma University since 2022 as a leading professor nurturing the new generation of lawyers. Her extensive research, teaching experience, and legal expertise across public and private sectors equip her with a versatile skill set. She excels in leadership, resource management, strategic planning, and facilitating productive collaboration. Her ability to synthesize complex legal theories, produce insightful reports, and leverage technology for decision-making has established her as a respected leader and mentor in academia and beyond. Shelom Velasco’s unwavering dedication to justice, equality, and human rights underscores her legacy of academic and social impact. She continues to lead with purpose, championing a more equitable future.