PHD THESIS
Provisional PhD Thesis Title: The Revolving Doors of Latin America: Membership, withdrawal, and patterns of engagement with the League of Nations (1919–1945)
Expected completion date: 2030
Profile
Leticia (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in International History and Politics at the Geneva Graduate Institute, where she is also pursuing a minor in International Law. Her research interests lie at the intersection of international history, international law, and the history and politics of international organizations, with a particular focus on Latin America and the international order. She currently works as a Research Assistant on the project “Should I stay or should I go? Membership and international recognition from the League to the United Nations,” led by Dr. Thomas Gidney, funded by the Ambizione career grant (SNSF), and jointly hosted by the Global Governance Centre and the Department of International History and Politics.
She holds a Master’s degree in History from the Center for Research and Documentation of Contemporary Brazilian History – FGV CPDOC (Brazil), where her thesis, “Foundations for an Inter-American Collective Memory: Monumental Reparation Measures in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ Jurisprudence,” received the highest honors. She also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Ludwig Maximilian University (Germany), where her thesis received 16 points (the highest grade category, sehr gut) and was recommended for publication. She previously obtained her Bachelor of Laws from the University of São Paulo (USP), where her thesis received the highest distinction and the “Best Thesis of the Year” prize. During her LL.B., she coordinated several projects of the International Studies Center (2014–2019) and founded and coordinated the USP International Human Rights Law Clinic (2017–2019). Her LL.B. included a split-site Bachelor’s programme in German Law (Zertifikatsstudium) at Ludwig Maximilian University. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Studies in International Cultural Heritage Law from the University of Geneva (Switzerland).
Her research also informs her work beyond academia. She serves as a Research Assistant to a member of the United Nations International Law Commission and has previously worked as a Knowledge Management Consultant at UNICEF, Assistant Coordinator of the United Nations International Law Seminar, Law Clerk at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and intern at the Inter-American Juridical Committee (OAS). She has also previously worked as a lawyer and an international advisor on strategic litigation and international cooperation in scientific and cultural fields, with a particular focus on the protection and restitution of cultural heritage in Latin America. She also develops initiatives in heritage education and public awareness in Brazil.
Research Interests
- International history
- International organizations
- Institutional history
- Global governance
- Diplomacy and international relations
- Multilateralism and regionalism
- Latin American history
- Latin America in the international order
- International law
- Human rights
- Reparations and transitional justice
- Cultural heritage
- Collective memory studies
- Decolonization and decoloniality
- History and decoloniality
PUBLICATIONS AND WORKS
Articles
Haertel, L. M., and L. Moraes. “Negotiating Identities: The Restitution of One Tupinambá Cloak to Brazil and the Role of Diplomacy in Bridging an International Legal Gap.” Etnográfica (2025). https://doi.org/10.25660/xnzy-ap47
Macário, Matheus A., Aline M. Ghilardi, Elis M. G. Santana, Ednalva S. Santos, Anamaria Dal Molin, Letícia M. Haertel, Tito Aureliano, Allysson P. Pinheiro, Daniel Lima, Antony Thierry de O. Salú, Juan C. Cisneros, and Antônio Álamo Feitosa Saraiva. “The Study of Fossil Macroinvertebrates from the Santana Group, Brazil: Legal and Ethical Challenges and Neocolonial Legacies in Paleontology.” Palaeontologia Electronica 28, no. 3 (2025). https://doi.org/10.26879/1563
Troiano, L. P. and L. M. Haertel. “O Mar Não Esperará: A Corrida do Brasil para Salvar ou Sacrificar Seu Patrimônio Cultural” (Translation: The sea will not wait: Brazil’s race to save or sacrifice its cultural heritage). Tempo Exterior 26, no. 50 (2025): 56–72. https://doi.org/10.64130/temex.50.56-72
Haertel, L. M. “#UbirajaraBelongstoBR: A Restituição de Fósseis e o Papel do Direito Internacional como Instrumento para a Decolonização da Ciência” (Translation: #UbirajaraBelongstoBR: The Restitution of Fossils and the Role of International Law as an Instrument for the Decolonization of Science). In Direito Internacional em Expansão, vol. 23. Belo Horizonte: Arraes, 2023.
Haertel, L. M. “In Memoriam: As Reparações Simbólicas Demandadas pela Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos e o Impacto das Instituições Internacionais na Memória Coletiva” (Translation: In Memoriam: The Symbolic Reparations Demanded by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the Impact of International Institutions on Collective Memory). Anuario Colombiano de Historia Social y de la Cultura 50 (2023). https://doi.org/10.15446/achsc.v50n1.101075
Haertel, L. M. “A Non-Refoulement Exception? An Analysis of Article 33 of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in Light of the General Rule of Interpretation of Treaties.” Revista Direito UFMS 8 (2023): 7–22. https://doi.org/10.21671/rdufms.v8i1.12386
Haertel, L. M. “The Past, Present: The Parthenon Sculptures Dispute as an Example of the ICPRCP’s Role on Claims Barred by the Non-Retroactivity of the 1970 UNESCO Convention.” International Journal of Cultural Property 28 (2021): 479–504. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0940739121000424
Haertel, L. M. “Fake News and New Truths: O Direito à Resposta como Ferramenta do Judiciário no Combate à Desinformação” (Translation: Fake News and New Truths: The Right of Reply as a Tool of the Judiciary in Combating Disinformation). Juris Plenum, no. 88 (2019): 127–136. ISSN/ISBN: 18076017.
Haertel, L. M., and C. B. Bonini. “As Competições de Julgamento Simulado como Instrumento de Ensino Jurídico” (Translation: Moot Court Competitions as an Instrument of Legal Education). Revista da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo 113 (2018): 737–759. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2318-8235.v113i0p737-759
Haertel, L. M. “Drawing the Line Between Proper and Improper Proselytism: The Right to Attempt to Convince One’s Neighbor in Europe.” Revista Direito UFMS 3 (2017): 91–107. https://doi.org/10.21671/rdufms.v3i1.3305
Books
Côrtes, A. M. and L. M. Haertel, eds. Metodologia por Jovens Juristas: As Melhores Teses de Láurea da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo (2015 a 2019) (Translation: Methodology by Young Jurists: The Best Undergraduate Theses of the Faculty of Law of the University of São Paulo (2015–2019)). São Paulo: Quartier Latin, 2023.
Carvalho Ramos, A., D. F. Q. Azevedo, R. C. Lima, S. F. Youssef, L. M. Haertel, A. Budahazi, B. S. Almeida, H. Vieira, and V. M. Vormittag. Comentários Gerais dos Comitês de Tratados de Direitos Humanos da ONU (Translation: General Comments by the UN Human Rights Treaty Committees). São Paulo: Defensoria Pública, 2020.
Carvalho Ramos, A., D. F. Q. Azevedo, R. C. Lima, S. F. Youssef, L. M. Haertel, A. Budahazi, B. S. Almeida, H. Vieira, and V. M. Vormittag. Comentários Gerais dos Comitês de Tratados de Direitos Humanos da ONU: Comitê Contra a Tortura (Translation: General Comments by the UN Human Rights Treaty Committees: Committee against Torture). São Paulo: Defensoria Pública, 2019.
Carvalho Ramos, A., D. F. Q. Azevedo, R. C. Lima, S. F. Youssef, L. M. Haertel, A. Budahazi, B. S. Almeida, H. Vieira, and V. M. Vormittag. Comentários Gerais dos Comitês de Tratados de Direitos Humanos da ONU: Comitê de Direitos Humanos e Comitê de Direitos Econômicos, Sociais e Culturais (Translation: General Comments by the UN Human Rights Treaty Committees: Human Rights Committee and Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights). São Paulo: Defensoria Pública, 2018.
Book Chapters
Haertel, L. M. “Artigo 34”; “Artigo 35”; “Artigo 36”; “Artigo 37”; “Artigo 38”; “Artigo 39”; and “Artigo 40” (seven separate chapters). In Convenção Americana de Direitos Humanos Comentada (Translation: Commentary on the American Convention on Human Rights), edited by L. Salomão and R. Mudrovitsch. Rio de Janeiro: Forense, 2024.
Haertel, L. M. “Margem de Apreciação ou de Discriminação? Uma Análise Jurisprudencial dos Casos da Corte Europeia de Direitos Humanos sobre a Exibição de Simbologia Religiosa” (Translation: Margin of Appreciation or Discrimination? A Case-Law Analysis of European Court of Human Rights Cases on the Display of Religious Symbols). In Metodologia por Jovens Juristas: As Melhores Teses de Láurea da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo (2015 a 2019), edited by L. M. Haertel and A. M. Côrtes, 271–356. São Paulo: Quartier Latin, 2023.
Haertel, L. M. “Restituição em Questão: A Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos e a Proteção de Objetos Culturais como Propriedade Comunal Indígena” (Translation: Restitution in Question: The Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the Protection of Cultural Objects as Indigenous Communal Property). In Direitos Humanos, Economia e Sustentabilidade Socioambiental no Constitucionalismo em Níveis Múltiplos: Reflexões a Partir do Contexto Latino-Americano, edited by Milena Petters Melo, vol. II, 148–168. Florianópolis: Imaginar o Brasil, 2021.
Conference Proceedings and Published Abstracts (Selected)
Haertel, L. M. “These Arguments Will Not Fly: The Case for the Restitution of the Pterosaur Barbosania gracilirostris from Portugal to Brazil.” PaleoNE | 7th IMERP: Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society of Paleontology (Northeast Sector) and International Meeting of Early-Stage Researchers in Palaeontology, 2025. Santana do Cariri, Brazil.
Antonietto, L. and L. M. Haertel. “On Microfossils and Major Neglect: a case for the Restitution of Brazilian Ostracode Holotypes Held Abroad.” PaleoNE | 7th IMERP: Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society of Paleontology (Northeast Sector) and International Meeting of Early-Stage Researchers in Palaeontology, 2025. Santana do Cariri, Brazil.
Haertel, L. M. “The Toppling of Monuments and the 2003 UNESCO Declaration Concerning the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage.” 2nd International Interdisciplinary Conference Postmemory and the Contemporary World, 2021. Gdańsk, Poland.
Haertel, L. M., and B. D. Fico. “Mass Displacement of Destitute People: A Trigger for Non-Refoulement Protection?” The Social Practice of Human Rights Conference, 2017. University of Dayton, Dayton, USA.
Other Publications (Selected)
Haertel, L. M. “O Retorno do Fóssil Irritator challengeri e o Poder da Linguagem em Disputas Internacionais” (Translation: The Return of the Fossil Irritator challengeri and the Power of Language in International Disputes). Le Monde Diplomatique Brasil, 2026.
Haertel, L. M. From the Right to be Consulted to the Right to No Contact: The Inter-American Court Faces Its First Case on Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation. EJIL:Talk!, 2025.
Haertel, L. M. “The Parthenon Sculptures and #UbirajaraBelongstoBR: A Commentary on Old Excuses and Bad Faith.” British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, 2023.
Haertel, L. M. “As Esculturas do Parthenon e o Papel do Comitê sobre Restituição da UNESCO em Disputas Barradas pela Não-Retroatividade da Convenção de 1970” (Translation: The Parthenon Sculptures and the Role of the UNESCO Committee on Restitution in Disputes Barred by the Non-Retroactivity of the 1970 Convention). International Law Association (ILA) Brazil Blog, 2022.
Haertel, L. M. “Sobre a Iminente Entrada em Vigor do Protocolo n. 15 à Convenção Europeia de Direitos Humanos” (Translation: On the Imminent Entry into Force of Protocol No. 15 to the European Convention on Human Rights). International Law Association (ILA) Brazil Blog, 2021.
Haertel, L. M. “Celebrando a Mãe Fundadora do Direito Internacional: A Vida e a Obra de Christine de Pizan” (Translation: Celebrating the Founding Mother of International Law: The Life and Work of Christine de Pizan). International Law Association (ILA) Brazil Blog, 2021.
Haertel, L. M. “Um Acervo de Dívidas Históricas: A Importância da Restituição do Patrimônio Cultural no Contexto de Movimentos Anticoloniais e por Igualdade Racial” (Translation: A Collection of Historical Wrongs: The Importance of Cultural Heritage Restitution in the Context of Anticolonial and Racial Equality Movements). JOTA, 2020.
Haertel, L. M. “El Protocolo N° 16 para la Convención Europea de Derechos Humanos: Un Verdadero ¿Protocolo del Diálogo?” (Translation: Protocol No. 16 to the European Convention on Human Rights: A True ‘Protocol of Dialogue’?). Diario Derecho para Innovar 4 (2018): 1.
Haertel, L. M., and B. D. Fico. “Levantando el Velo: Las Mujeres Musulmanas y el Doble Estándar sobre Religión del Tribunal de Derechos Humanos de la Corte Europea de Derechos Humanos (Parte I)” (Translation: Lifting the Veil: Muslim Women and the Double Standard on Religion of the European Court of Human Rights (Part I)). Diario Derecho para Innovar 2 (2017): 1.
Haertel, L. M., and B. D. Fico. “Levantando el Velo: Las Mujeres Musulmanas y el Doble Estándar sobre Religión del Tribunal de Derechos Humanos de la Corte Europea de Derechos Humanos (Parte II)” (Translation: Lifting the Veil: Muslim Women and the Double Standard on Religion of the European Court of Human Rights (Part II)). Diario Derecho para Innovar 2 (2017): 1.
Haertel, L. M. “El Posible Retorno del Tesoro Quimbaya y el Derecho Internacional” (Translation: The Possible Return of the Quimbaya Treasure and International Law). Diario Constitucional y Derechos Humanos 1 (2017): 1.
FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS AND AWARDS
Dalferes Scholarship: Selective mobility scholarship awarded to experienced Jessup Moot Court Competition judges (2026).
Hardy C. Dillard Award: Highest international recognition for writing excellence at the Jessup Moot Court Competition (2nd place in 2019, 3rd place in 2017), alongside 15 additional international moot court writing and oralist awards across the Jessup, Inter-American Human Rights, Price Media Law, Nelson Mandela World Human Rights, and Lucerne Academy of Human Rights Moot Court Competitions.
“Young Jurists” Award: Best Undergraduate Thesis of the Year, University of São Paulo (2018).
DAAD Annual Scientific Literature Scholarship: Annual scholarship awarded by the German Academic Exchange Service to support academic research and access to scholarly literature (2017–present).
Brazilian Government Merit Scholarship (Bolsa CAPES PROSUP): Competitive graduate scholarship awarded to support Master’s in History at CPDOC – FGV (2021–2023).
University of Geneva Scholarship: Full scholarship awarded to pursue the Certificate of Advanced Studies in International Cultural Heritage Law (2022–2023).
University of Geneva Scholarship: Full scholarship awarded to attend the International Cultural Heritage Law Summer School (2021).
Leiden University Scholarship: Partial scholarship awarded to attend the Summer School on Cultural Objects, Human Rights, and International Law (2019).
Luzern Academy Scholarship: Partial scholarship awarded to members of the winning team of the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition (2017).
DAAD “Junge Juristen aus Brasilien” Scholarship: Merit-based scholarship awarded for a split-site Bachelor’s programme in German Law at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (2016–2017).