Raghavi Viswanath has been awarded this year’s Antonio Cassese Prize for the Best EUI Doctoral Thesis in International Law for her dissertation Re-articulating cultural rights in international human rights law using Global South epistemologies : a case study of the Irulars, defended on 18 December 2024, under the supervision of Professor Neha Jain.
Raghavi Viswanath’s thesis examines the historical and contemporary practice of the twin Covenants – the most widely ratified treaties codifying cultural rights – to uncover the various kinds of epistemic injustice perpetrated by the interpretive bodies of the Covenants on Global South communities seeking redress for cultural rights violations. The thesis integrates the dance, music, poetry, and spirituality of the Irulars, a semi-nomadic community in South India, recognising their epistemic authority and political agency. Her discussion of how ‘Irular epistemologies reform three aspect of cultural rights claims within international law’ moves the reader seamlessly from South India to deep engagement with institutional practices within the United Nations.
"I’m so deeply honoured that the Law Department has selected my thesis for this Prize! The EUI has had a profound impact on my life, going far beyond merely being intellectually formative to my academic thinking. It brought me in touch with extraordinary mentors, the most generous collaborators, and lifelong friends. Writing this thesis at the EUI was already a deeply meaningful experience - and to have it recognised in this way is even more moving. It also makes me conscious of my responsibilities as a researcher, and for that, I am truly grateful", shared Raghavi upon being awarded the prize.
The Department of Law has instituted this Prize in honour of the outstanding lawyer Antonio Cassese, among the most distinguished figures in international law and criminal justice.
Previous winners of the prize are listed here.