Daniel Cerqueira is a Brazilian lawyer with a master’s degree in International Legal Studies and Global Rule of Law and Constitutional Democracy. He joined DPLF in February 2014 as part of the Climate Justice and Human Rights program (formerly known as Human Rights and Natural Resources). In this role, he leads research, advocacy activities, and the dissemination of information related to the human rights impacts caused by large-scale extractive and infrastructure projects, as well as analyzing the international responsibility of states involved in these projects.
From January 2006 to January 2014, Daniel served as an attorney at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). During this time, he held various roles, including with the Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression, contributing significantly to its work. He also worked in the Protection Group, where he handled precautionary measures requests. Additionally, in the Executive Secretariat, he was responsible for overseeing contentious cases and monitoring the human rights situation in Bolivia and Peru.
Notably, between 2012 and 2013, Daniel was part of the team providing technical advice to the IACHR members, assisting in the process of reforming the Commission’s regulations, policies, and institutional practices.
In addition to his work at DPLF, Daniel is a guest lecturer in specialized diploma programs and undergraduate and graduate courses at various universities in Latin America. He has delivered lectures and training sessions for public officials, Indigenous peoples, human rights defenders, and scholars on various aspects of the Inter-American Human Rights System.
Daniel has also published articles and opinion pieces on International Relations, Public International Law, and International Human Rights Law.
He holds a master’s degree in International Legal Studies with honors from Georgetown University in the United States and a master’s degree in Global Rule of Law and Constitutional Democracy from the Università degli Studi di Genova in Italy. He previously earned a law degree from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais and a degree in International Relations from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, both in Brazil.
