This week’s interview is with Hashmat Nadirpor, a summer intern in the Global Legal Research Center.
Describe your background.
I am from Afghanistan and live in Kabul, the capital – an overcrowded city in the eastern part of the country. I also lived a part of my life in the north and central parts of Afghanistan as my family moved due to my father’s duties and civil war.
What is your academic/professional history?
I graduated from the Faculty of Law & Political Science at Kabul University, which is the most prestigious university in Afghanistan. Divided into two departments, Judiciary & Prosecution and Administration & Diplomacy, I majored in the latter department. After graduation I was offered a job at the International Development Law Organization (IDLO). Working at IDLO, I took part in projects that were designed to help build the legal capacity of Afghan legal institutions, namely the Attorney General’s Office, Supreme Court, Ministry of Justice, National Assembly, and some other ministries.
While a student at the Faculty of Law & Political Science, I was a member of an association providing legal awareness at the university level. Besides that, I also attended legal English courses and participated in an intensive academic legal English program, both administered by the Afghanistan Rule of Law Project (ARoLP).
I was very fortunate to be awarded the Afghan Legal Educators Program’s scholarship to pursue my Masters degree (LL.M) at the University of Washington School of Law. I have enjoyed every single day of my academic life.
How would you describe your job to other people?
Interning in a great academic institution, the Law Library of Congress, I would say is wonderful. I am researching legal questions about Afghanistan and to some extent Iran and Pakistan as well.
Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?
I had never thought of interning at a library, but when I first visited the Law Library of Congress in early spring I was amazed by the magnificent job they do. Thus, I wanted to take the opportunity and build on my skills and knowledge. In fact the Library is more than a library, it is also an outstanding research center.
What is the most interesting fact you’ve learned about the Law Library of Congress?
That it collects legal documents from all over the world.
What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?
I enjoy sitting alongside the river in the mornings listening to the soothing sounds of the river, the bird-song, and the murmur of the wind.